Muncy CAP Recreation Program (Rec) is in its 4th decade of operation. We have enjoyed solid financial and facility support from the Muncy School District; however, we have been advised by members of the school board that due to tougher financial times they can no longer provide the level of funding we have been receiving.

 

The CAP Board has decided to initiate a funding campaign within the area that we serve. During the past Rec session we had the following representation of children signed up and participating:

• Muncy Borough -118 children

• Muncy Creek Twp- 47 children

• Muncy Township - 31 children

• Total Muncy Area=196 children

 

Our Rec program has grown dramatically in attendance over the past 5 years. For those unfamiliar with Rec we provide a well-organized, fun and free recreation program that keeps our younger children engaged in positive educational, environmental, arts and crafts, nature, and sports activities.  The Rec program runs for 7 weeks each summer, 4 days per week, 4 hours per day, for school children ages 5 - 13.

 

The CAP Board is comprised of dedicated concerned community volunteers who realize how important it is for children to be able to enjoy fun, summer activities in a safe environment. Parents whose children attend Rec each year go out of their way to contact board members like myself to thank the CAP Board for making this valuable program available to their children. The compliments and “thank you's” we receive on the program activities, staff and the Rec Director are too numerous to count.

The program format allows the participants to pick what activities they want to do each day. So, they can pick from field/sporting events, crafts, environmental/nature activities and other special events in a safe, supervised environment. Each day is different.  No boredom allowed!

Funding Campaign

Without new funding sources, providing consistent annual support, our Rec program will not be able to start in 2015. Our campaign is focused on the communities which make up the area we service: Muncy Borough, Muncy Township, Muncy Creek Township.

We Need Your Financial Assistance

 

Our annual operating budget is $8,500 - $10,100 per 7 week session with the majority of the money used to pay staff wages. Our craft and equipment costs total $400 - $800 annually.  Expenses are managed efficiently, so, cutting back will essentially eliminate activities/supplies, reduce supervision, or cause a loss of days that Rec is offered. So, if we can't find new sustainable long-term funding we most likely will be forced to cut back Rec or ask parents to contribute for their child’s participation. It is something we do not want to do.  Besides the expected cuts in school district funding, our financial stability has been hurt by a tripling of our liability insurance premiums along with increased operating expenses, due to a solid increase in the number children participating in Rec. Our Rec staff is made up of primarily local area high school students who enjoy working with younger elementary age children. Serena Horan, our current Rec Director student-taught at Muncy High School and now teaches in the Warrior Run School District.  Miss Horan reports to our CAP Board and works closely with the board during the Rec session. Miss Horan oversees a talented and committed staff of 6-9 recreation and craft assistants.

 

What Makes Rec Different and Worthwhile...

When you have an average of 110-125 children in your program on a daily basis you have to be well organized and be able to offer a multitude of activities that engage both their mind (mental) and body (physical). The staff adds new activities each week; however, here is a list of our main weekly offerings:

• Water Wednesdays - Any water game you can think of, we do it on Wednesdays and it is a huge hit.

• Tennis Lessons - For a nominal charge, tennis lessons are provided every day for a 2 week period

• Arts a- a of the projects that are done in our Arts and Crafts offering

• Sports and Field Activities - Children participate in a variety of organized games or events, either indoors or outdoors, that provide exercise and teach teamwork.

• Lycoming County Conservation District Program - During the past summer session we teamed up with the Conservation District to provide nature and environmental education to students. The Conservation Officer demonstrated how to conduct a bug study along Glade Run, as well as a nature scavenger hunt.  We plan to expand this in 2015.

• Rec Store - Students earn “Rec Bucks” for being helpful, and showing good sportsmanship and behavior.  They can redeem their Rec Bucks at the Rec Store to purchase items.

• Williamsport Crosscutters Players Day Visit – Professional athletes review baseball skills, play games, and sign autographs

   

Funding Concerns

Muncy CAP Board is forced to look for additional funding from various sources within the local community such as Muncy Borough, Muncy Creek and Muncy Townships, private businesses, and service clubs in order to maintain Rec in 2015 and the foreseeable future.

Muncy CAP previously received some funding from Muncy Borough, Muncy Creek Township and Muncy Township on occasion, however, the economic downturn the past few years caused that funding to disappear or to be used for other areas like snow removal or other needy projects. We have initiated a large fundraising campaign through the fall and winter.

 

If you are interested in donating or know of an individual, group or company that might be interested in
donating to Muncy CAP, or would like to discuss a donation further, please contact any of the CAP Board members:

 

Thank you for your support!