Jun 2, 2013 3 min read

The last day of school has come and gone for Greene County students, and that means they have packed up their books and headed off to summer vacation.

Many older students will be taking summer jobs, some getting their first taste of the world of work. Some who have just graduated probably will be thinking about the next big step in their lives, either employment, higher education or both.

Still others, primarily younger students, will spend their summer days at ballparks and swimming pools, roaming the neighborhood with friends or just hanging out around the house. It’s that last group we wish to consider. Nowadays, with so many families in which both parents work, young people often are left at home alone for much of the summer.

We are sure many will find ways to fill their days. We also are sure many will end up spending more time than is healthy in front of the television or the computer. There are other options, however. A number of summer camps and programs are offered for free by local communities, schools and the county to provide activities for youth during the summer months. To cite two examples:

Waynesburg Borough will hold a summer camp at Waynesburg Borough Central Park beginning June 17 and continuing through July 26 for children ages 5 to 14. The camp is open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday. Lunch will be provided, and there will be age-appropriate crafts and games.

Last year, there was a question whether the borough’s summer camp program would be held, but thanks to a $10,000 grant from Chesapeake Energy, the camp went on as scheduled. This year, the camp continues because of the Greene County Memorial Hospital Foundation.

Also, the Greene County Department of Recreation will offer a summer camp at five sites throughout the county for children ages 5 to 15. The camps are open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday from June 17 through July 26.

The camps include arts and crafts, games and frequent trips to county swimming pools. The locations will be Jefferson Township Park in Jefferson, Lions Club Park in Waynesburg, Mon View Park in Greensboro, Ryerson Station State Park in Wind Ridge and Wana B Park in Carmichaels.

As at Waynesburg, free lunches will be provided.

These programs give young people the opportunity to socialize and get out in the fresh air. We believe they are worth considering, especially by those who end up sitting around the house complaining about how bored they are.