Penn State Extension updates Pike County on summer youth programs, mock-crash drill and United Way-funded initiatives

Representatives from Penn State Extension briefed the Pike County commissioners on outreach and youth programming during the June 17 meeting.

Andrew Smith, who identified himself as the county 4-H coordinator, described the lineup of summer programming and said initial registration for summer day camps has been light: "our summer day camp programs are... we unfortunately do not have a lot of registration yet, but I'm hoping that people come in last second." He listed activities including Eco Explorers (focused on watershed and wildlife habitats), a babysitting course at the library tied to the summer reading program, and county fair–related events.

Jennifer Mercer, also with Penn State Extension, summarized program growth for the year: the Extension set a goal to add 10 new programs countywide and has reached five so far. Mercer noted Extension events that drew large participation, including an educational event tied to a large data center and an AI education session that brought more than 100 attendees from counties across the state. She reported that United Way funding supported a "Walk By Faith" program promoting physical activity and healthy eating, and helped underwrite two safe drinking-water clinics attended by about three dozen residents.

Mercer also described a revived DUI mock-crash drill coordinated with local fire departments, ambulance services, the school first-responders club and state police; the exercise included donated vehicles and volunteer extrication demonstrations. She encouraged residents to consult extension.psu.edu for webinars and listed local Master Gardener office hours at the Pike County Library.

Commissioners asked about replicating the mock-crash event at another high school and the availability of funding; Mercer said the event was largely volunteer-driven and that a school partner would be needed to replicate it.