IN Peters Township June/July 2017 | Page 34

WHAT’S NEWS IN PETERS TOWNSHIP THE LITTLE GYM SUMMER CAMP PROGRAMS KEEP CHILDREN TECHNOLOGY- FREE, PHYSICALLY ACTIVE AND MENTALLY SHARP ROTARY CLUB OF MCMURRAY DEDICATES ROTARY PLAZA TO PT The Rotary Club of McMurray dedicated a Rotary Plaza to the township on Saturday, May 6, at 9 a.m. The Rotary Plaza was constructed by McMurray Rotary Park in honor of its 50th anniversary. The park was created in support of the township’s desire to develop a town center. On the 100th anniversary of Rotary, the group erected the Municipal Center clock. The Rotary Club of McMurray is dedicated to serving the Peters Township area. For more information, visit mcmurrayrotary.com. TOWN HALL SOUTH ANNOUNCES 2017-18 SPEAKER SERIES Town Hall South is a philanthropic organization dedicated to bringing nationally and internationally acclaimed lecturers to the South Hills. Founded in 1969 as an outreach program of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Upper St. Clair, Town Hall South continues to function as a self-sustaining entity under the gracious auspices of the church. Annually, a portion of proceeds is awarded as grants to a wide variety of local organizations in the surrounding community. Featured speakers this season are: Marlee Matlin, Oct. 3, 2017 Michael Sandel, Nov. 7, 2017 Tom Gjelten, Dec. 5, 2017 Theresa Payton, Feb. 6, 2018 Fabien Cousteau, March 6, 2018 For more information, go to townhallsouth.org. 32 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE | Peters Township Summer should be the time of year when children spend hours outside enjoying the warm weather, long hours of daylight and fun activities that keep their bodies moving. According to a recent study that followed a diverse group of children from the start of kindergarten through second grade, this is not the case. Researchers found participants displayed signs of decreased physical activity during the summer months and, as a result, there was seasonal-related weight gain. Amy Martin, owner of The Little Gym of Pittsburgh- South Hills, notes that researchers pointed to a lack of daily exercise and excessive engagement with media as contributing causes to these findings. “During summer break, families should have the chance to vacation and reconnect without the constant time constraints of school, homework and after-school activities,” says Martin. “Unfortunately, parents’ work and other responsibilities don’t take a months-long pause. Families are then left looking for alternatives to screen time and other passive activities that have the potential to negatively impact a child’s overall well-being.” For many families, summer camp programs offer a viable solution. Programs at The Little Gym of Pittsburgh-South Hills, for example, deliver active and imaginative camp and class programs that keep kids moving, learning and having fun. Flexible scheduling options allow parents to enroll their children for as little as a day, or as long as the entire summer. Age-appropriate activities at the Super Quest Summer Camp vary from week to week, offering children ages 3 to 8 a fresh experience each time. Interest-driven Skill Thrill camps allow children ages 6 to 12 to repeat a camp as they refine certain skills. “A fun, nurturing summer camp program can benefit a child in so many ways,” explains Martin. “At our camp programs and classes, children are given the opportunity to interact with positive role models, work with their peers, develop creative skills and build independence in a safe, secure environment. When kids unplug, they are able to rediscover their creativity, develop relationships with their peers, learn teamwork, gain new skills, and experience success. Keeping children active and learning during the summer months can even reduce the stress of transition into the new school year.” The Little Gym of Pittsburgh-South Hills is located at 3909 Washington Road, Suite 205. For more information, or to reg