YMCA Kicks Off Free Summer Pop-Up & Play Program In Easton

EASTON - Greater Valley YMCA opened the Pop-Up & Play outdoor summer fun and learning program at Paxinosa Playground on Monday June 17. The program is free to families at four locations in Easton, providing fun, active learning activities and healthy meals through August 16.

Over 20 children and families were welcomed during the 11:45AM - 2:45PM program hours at the 12th and Spring Garden St. location. Plenty of water, shade and healthy snacks including fresh fruit and yogurt were offered while children participated in soccer, hula hooping and art/science activities.

The free program “pops up” at Paxinosa Playground, Centennial Park, Easton Neighborhood Center and West Ward Market on alternate days and times to provide children ages five through 12 a free program to stay active and stave off summer learning loss. All four locations offer free, nutritious meals and snacks for anyone under 18 at each location.

“The program is nothing but fun,” said Yamaica Torres, who participates with her two young children at Pop Up & Play at Paxinosa. “I’m a mother and I work almost every day. So, when we have days off like this it is nice to be able to walk over and have activities to do. They play with other kids and have fun!”

Each child who attends any of the Y’s Easton Area Pop-Up & Play programs receives a one-day pass to visit one of the City of Easton’s outdoor community pools with an adult. Children can earn up to one pass per week attending Pop-Up & Play. Pool locations are Heil Pool (open odd dates of the week) and Eddyside Pool (open even dates of the week).

“It’s really important that the children of Easton have a safe and fun place to spend the days of summer, and it is part of the Y’s mission to be here for them,” explained Sarah Wassel, senior program director of Greater Valley YMCA’s Easton/Phillipsburg branch. “When they are with us at Pop-Up & Play they are supervised, provided healthy meals and snacks, and engaged in fun STEAM learning activities.”

Greater Valley YMCA’s 2024 Pop Up & Play partners include the Greater Easton Development Partnership, Easton Rotary and the CAI United fund, among other collaborators, whose support makes the program possible all summer long. Information about locations, days and times of Pop-Up & Play programs and Easton community pools is available at the YMCA’s website here: YMCA Easton Pop-Up & Play.

Greater Valley YMCA is a volunteer-led, nonprofit community organization serving more than 13,400 members Valley-wide, alongside thousands of additional program participants annually. The Y is committed to strengthening community by positively changing lives every day. At each of our branches, we concentrate our efforts in three areas: Youth Development, Healthy Living and Social Responsibility. Our programs and services remain accessible to the community through our charitable mission; our Y distributed more than $780,000 in financial assistance and subsidy to neighbors in 2023 alone. The Greater Valley YMCA serves the Lehigh Valley and consists of branches in Allentown, Bethlehem, Catasauqua, Easton, Nazareth, and Pen Argyl. To learn more, support, or join the Y, please visit gv-ymca.org.