PITTSBURGH, Aug. 11, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- August marks the time when many children are gearing up for the last blast of summer before the school bell sounds. For many local Pittsburgh kids, their summer camp activities have been provided through the City's Department of Parks and Recreation. Aside from the typical activities such as swimming, crafts and kickball, these kids have had their nutrition, education and self-esteem boosted through the help and guidance of caring counselors and the sponsorship of generous donors such as Gateway Health.
Gateway Health has been there throughout the entire summer of Citiparks events aimed at children and families and is the proud title sponsor of Citiparks' Summer Camp and Field Day, August 8 through August 12. The program's goal is to help provide Pittsburgh children with activities and quality programming in Citipark's ten recreation and activity centers and to focus on outdoor events while promoting healthy and fun lifestyle activities.
"Our partnership with Citiparks underscores the heart of Gateway as an organization, not just a health plan," said Patti Darnley, CEO of Gateway Health. "We are proud to be associated with a program that connects the kids and their families with a variety of opportunities to learn different skills and discover outdoor activities, recognizing the undeniable link between a child's mind, body and soul."
Each day of the camp intends to motivate and encourage all summer campers to engage with nature through activities such as swimming and rock climbing, introduce fitness and other alternative healthy activities into daily life and simply have fun by attending a Pittsburgh Pirates baseball game. All activities that might not necessarily be part of the experiences of children whose families might be struggling with financial or other difficulties.
The final day of camp will conclude with the 1st Annual Citiparks Field Day on Friday, August 12, attended by an expected 300 kids. Campers from ten community recreation centers will be brought together at the Schenley Oval Soccer Field and Schenley Park for a day of physical activity and spirited competition. Teams will wear T-shirts representing their respective recreation center and carry their team flag as they prepare for the day's final events. Activities will include a 100-meter run, the rubber chicken throw, the hula hoop relay, long jump, tug-of-war, and other various games, along with a healthy lunch, and plenty of refreshments sponsored by Gateway Health.
"For some of these families, these are opportunities they may not have ready access to or even be aware they could do," said Darnley. "Our hope and ultimate goal is that participating families, and especially children, will be encouraged and inspired to explore more and maintain a healthy lifestyle."
Field Day's final event will finish with an awards ceremony, with each child receiving a certificate of achievement and the top achievers in each event winning a medal. A victory trophy will be awarded to the team that achieves the most points throughout the day.
About Gateway Health
Gateway Health is a nationally ranked managed care organization that focuses on providing the best possible healthcare to a growing number of Medicaid and Medicare Advantage consumers. Gateway Health serves the needs of at risk and vulnerable citizens including those facing chronic diseases and those who are Medicare eligible and low-income. The organization provides Medicaid services in Pennsylvania, Delaware and West Virginia and Medicare coverage in Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Ohio and North Carolina. Gateway members have benefitted from services such as disease management, health and wellness programs and preventive care. "A Better Way" is more than a tagline, but what Gateway wants for its members, providers, communities and partners. To learn more about Gateway Health, visit us online at www.gatewayhealthplan.com.
- Summer Camp takes place the week of Aug 8 at each of the 10 centers with climbing walls, healthy exercise activities, certificates of participation
- Summer camps conclude with a kids Field Day Trip on Friday, Aug 12.
- 300 kids from the 10 centers will take part in a Field Day (10a-5p) with more fun outdoor group activities/relays/lunch/games and certificates of achievement
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SOURCE Gateway Health
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