East Syracuse Parks and Recreation to Hold a Camping Night for Families

Flores:
Keith Caiello is the Assistant Director at the East Syracuse Parks and Recreation Department.
He has helped to organize a camping night for children and their families at the Ellis Field Park.
He says that the event is open to everyone, but is also focused on families who may not have the funds to do these activities on their own.

Caiello:
“The reason we kind of came up with the idea was to give those families in our village that opportunity to come camping. Whether they don’t have the means to go outside, you know, outside to even Greenlakes or a state park if they don’t have the funds or transportation to get out there.”

Flores:
Caiello went on to list some of the activities families would enjoy at the event.

“We do a bonfire, we have an outdoor movie night, and before the camping we do a family swim night.”

Flores:
The event is going to be held on August 13th at the Ellis Field Park.
In Syracuse, Isabel Flores, N-C-C News.

SYRACUSE, N.Y.– The East Syracuse Parks and Recreation Department is hosting a free overnight camping night for children and their families this Saturday, August 13th.

Families will set up “camp” in the Tolhurst Baseball Field after having a mini pool party in the Hanlon Pool.

The Department’s Assistant Director Keith Caiello says the event is open to everyone.

However, the event focuses on helping families who do not have the transportation or funds to be able to take part in camping activities on their own.

With Syracuse ranking number one in child poverty, many families do not have the means to plan or pay for family outings such as these.

The only item that the event requires families to bring with them is a tent.

However, the department may also be able to help with that.

“We have a few extra tents here for families that need a tent and all that” says Caiello.

Caiello goes on to say that the families will be able to roast marshmallows and take part in other camping activities.

The families will also receive a cooked breakfast the next day including foods like eggs and french toast.

Caiello also says that the department has held other family-friendly events for the community and has some planned for the future.

To secure a spot to the camping event, families can fill out the form that was released on the department’s Facebook page.

Families can either email the completed form to the department or return it to one of the various addresses provided on the form, including Hanlon Pool.

The form and more details are available on the East Syracuse Parks and Recreation Facebook Page.

The Hanlon Pool is where families will enjoy a swim before setting up their tents in the baseball field.
© 2022 Isabel Flores
The Tolhurst Baseball Field looks empty in this image, but it won't be once families set up their tents for camping night.
© 2022 Isabel Flores
The Cunningham Pavilion provides an area for children and families to lounge on. It is located across from Tolhurst Field.
© 2022 Isabel Flores