Mayor Kraham Visits First Summer Fun Program at City's New Recreation Center

More Than 100 Kids Participating in Free Summer Camp, Highest Enrollment in 5 Years

(BINGHAMTON, N.Y.)—Mayor Jared M. Kraham on Wednesday visited the City's new youth recreation center on Hawley Street, where enrollment in the City's Summer Fun program is at a five-year high.

Mayor Kraham said: "An investment in our young people is a direct investment in our community's future. We've spent these past years working to expand opportunities for kids in Binghamton—investing in the programming, services and spaces that help them thrive. With enrollment up in the City's summer programming, more Binghamton families are benefiting from the safe recreational opportunities offered by the City."

A total of 109 children are enrolled in this year's Summer Fun program, a five-week day camp operated by the City of Binghamton's Parks & Recreation Department.

The program offers City residents in grades Pre-K to 5 a chance to play sports and games, swim, participate in arts and crafts, take field trips and more. Lunch and snacks are provided each day.

There is no charge for Binghamton children to attend.

This year, the City moved the summer program to the new youth recreation center on Hawley Street downtown. It had previously been held at a handful of City parks, with limited indoor space available.

Last year, Mayor Kraham announced the City had reached an agreement to purchase the building from St. Mary's parish, with plans to turn it into the first City-run youth recreation center.

In addition to programming for younger children, Summer Fun provides dozens of youth employment opportunities.

The City's Parks & Recreation Department employs more than 100 local teenagers and young adults each summer to fill seasonal positions, including Summer Fun attendants, lifeguards and laborers.

This year's Summer Fun program runs from July 7 to August 8.