‘A Beautiful Day’: Lacy Day Camp brings another successful year of community, education
ASHTON PETERS/FOR THE EXPRESS A participant in 2026’s Lacy Day Camp smiles during an activity.
ASHTON PETERS/FOR THE EXPRESS A Lacy Day Camp participant is pictured with Smokey the Bear.
ASHTON PETERS/FOR THE EXPRESS Lacy Day Camp volunteers and participants are pictured during the event.
ASHTON PETERS/FOR THE EXPRESS A Lacy Day Camp participant takes part in a fire safety exercise inside the Castanea Fire Co. Picnic Grounds.
ASHTON PETERS/FOR THE EXPRESS The Clinton County Community Foundation continues to be a key supporter of Lacy Day Camp with its $2,000 donation this year.
ASHTON PETERS/FOR THE EXPRESS A participant in 2026’s Lacy Day Camp smiles during an activity.
ASHTON PETERS/FOR THE EXPRESS A Lacy Day Camp participant is pictured with Smokey the Bear.
ASHTON PETERS/FOR THE EXPRESS Lacy Day Camp volunteers and participants are pictured during the event.
ASHTON PETERS/FOR THE EXPRESS A Lacy Day Camp participant takes part in a fire safety exercise inside the Castanea Fire Co. Picnic Grounds.
ASHTON PETERS/FOR THE EXPRESS The Clinton County Community Foundation continues to be a key supporter of Lacy Day Camp with its $2,000 donation this year.
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CASTANEA -- The 2026 Lacy Day Camp brought together local students, first responders, community organizations and volunteers for a day of activities, education and community connection at the Castanea Fire Company Picnic Grounds.
Held on Sept. 23, the event provided children with the opportunity to interact with local first responders and community organizations while participating in a variety of activities throughout the day.
From painted faces and decorated rocks to emergency services demonstrations and other hands-on activities, the day was filled with opportunities for students to learn, have fun and build positive relationships with those serving their communities.
"What a beautiful day! Children laughing, people smiling and greeting each other after, for some, a year apart. Tattooed arms, painted faces, tinseled hair, razzle-dazzled nails and beautifully painted rocks delighted the children, entertained the adults and amazed the volunteers," Colleen Xethakis, mother of Lacy Day Camp Ambassador Alyssa Lacy, reflected on the success of the event.
The day's activities concluded with a graduation ceremony led by Hunter Shoemaker. Each participant received an American flag and a commemorative coin, presented by Alyssa Lacy, whose inability to participate in Camp Cadet inspired organizers to create a program specifically for children and adults with special needs.
Community Support
A special thank you goes to the Clinton County Community Foundation for its generous $2,000 donation in support of Lacy Day Camp.
Organizers would also like to recognize and thank the first responders, agencies, schools and community organizations that helped make the 2026 event possible:
-- Citizens Hose Company No. 5
-- Eastside Fire Rescue, Station 42
-- Goodwill Hose Company No. 7
-- Goodwill Ambulance Association
-- Renovo Fire & EMS, Station 29
-- Mill Hall Fire Company, Station 4
-- Castanea Fire Company, Station 3
-- Clinton County Sheriff's Office
-- Clinton County Probation
-- Lock Haven City Police Department
-- Mill Hall Police Department
-- DCNR Bureau of Forestry
-- Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission
-- Commonwealth University-Lock Haven ROTC
-- Keystone Central School District
-- Sugar Valley Rural Charter School
Lacy Day Camp would also like to extend its sincere appreciation to the businesses, organizations and individuals whose sponsorship and generosity helped make this year's event possible: Action Equipment; American Legion (Renovo); Bald Eagle Distributors; Big Mountain Designs; Bill's Happy Camper; Brigandi, Gleghorn and Haffley Insurance; Busy Beaver, LLC; Central PA Auto Auction; Central PA CPR Training; Central Storage; Citizens Fire Company of South Renovo; Clinton Pallet Co.; Cottage Restaurant; Country Store Meats; Croda; Crystal Vision Center; Dave and Sarah Strouse; Deb and Pat McCleanahan; Donald G. Walker Funeral Home; Dr. Suzanne Edwards; Dunkin Donuts (Lock Haven); Faber Burner Company; First Quality; Forty and Eight Club; Glenn O. Hawbaker; Haven Barber Shop; Kiwanis Club of Bald Eagle and Nittany Valley; Knights of Columbus; Leo's Italian & Specialty Food; Lock Haven Kiwanis Club; Lock Haven Sons of Italy; Loretta Coltrane; Love's Disposal; Loyal Order of Moose; Lykens Market and LMR Tire; Marconi's Auto; Mark and Laura Williams; Mike's Mountainside Auto Body; Mill Hall Kiwanis Club; Miller Brothers Auto Sales; Miller's Gun Shop; Nestlerode Contracting; Pine Mountain Dental; Ransom Awards & Trophies; Raymond Office Works; Red Cross Conclave; Redman Complete Comfort; Rennie Rodamel Agency; Renovo American Legion; Renovo Elks; Renovo Sons of Italy; Safe Transportation; Service Garage; Southern Clinton County Sportsman Club; Susquehanna Transit Company; Susquehanna Valley Big Twins Club; The New Love Center and Walmart (Mill Hall).
Follow Lacy Day Camp on Facebook for next year's information.