Veterans Memorial Park
It only took a moment for my kid to get smashed in the face with a soccer ball. Less than a year ago, unfortunately, I experienced the same situation, except I was the one taking a sports ball to the face.
If it isn’t obvious yet, we’re not a sporty family, but we are adventurous, and trying new things is the name of the literal game. Despite our brief experiences with soccer, there is a lot to learn from team sports, and it certainly teaches agility and, hopefully, instills a reminder to stay alert.
Susquehanna Soccer Club has programs for kids ages 3 to 18, which is an impressive range of skills to accommodate. We did the spring season, which was eight weeks, and the cost to participate is less than $100 and includes a uniform. An awesome perk is that you can earn a discount if you volunteer with the team. Volunteer opportunities range from distributing uniforms to helping at the concession stand to being team manager or even coach. The teams practice at varying times at Christian McNaughton Memorial Park in Susquehanna Township and gameday is Sunday at Veterans Memorial Park.
For parents interested in soccer, it’s a fun way to form community and get some exercise, if you’re brave enough to test your skills on the field. I played with the Harrisburg Area Women’s Soccer League, but there’s also Central PA Soccer, which offers amateur women’s and men’s teams.
Parks & Parkour
McNaughton Park is on 7.5 acres of land in the Deer Path neighborhood across from Thomas Holtzman Elementary on PA Route 39. Remodeled in 2021, the new park has a merry-go-round, tube slides and one of those round mirrors that makes you look silly. There’s also a pavilion for picnicking, and if you’re interested in a neighborhood walk, you can get to Boyd Park in one mile. Boyd Park is home to Boyd Lake, which is a popular spot for fishing. There’s also a creek set back in the woods that is a fun place to explore and play.
Kicking the convo back to soccer, games are played at Veterans Memorial Park near the Game Commission on Elmerton Avenue in Susquehanna Township. This is my go-to park for meetups because it caters to a range of interests, boasting separate playgrounds for ages 1 to 5 and 5 to 10, basketball and tennis courts, a baseball diamond and, obviously, the soccer fields for games. But the most unique thing about Veterans Park is the National Fitness Campaign Outdoor Fitness Court, which is, in kid terms, a free ninja course outside.
Designed to encourage outdoor activity, everyday movement, and community health, there are recommended exercises with diagrams, but folks can do whatever they want. For instance, my kid has a wild friend with older brothers who brings a level of insanity that is new and exciting to our dynamic. That kid uses the Fitness Court for parkour, so feel free to get creative. It can be fun to time kids as they move through the course to encourage friendly competition.
Building Blocks
Across the river, the Neurodiverse Network in Camp Hill partnered with Lego’s Pass the Bricks nonprofit to redistribute sets to the community. Inspire confidence in your littles by letting them build sets that will make a positive impact on kids their own age. The Neurodiverse Network also hosts a range of events, from playgroups to Friday night karaoke. Check out their website for more information and a calendar of events.
Speaking of Legos, we recently discovered a new way to incorporate even more creativity into brick-related things. Inspired by the “Art of the Brick” exhibit at The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia, we’ve started trying to re-create paintings with bricks. Challenge your kid(s) to create a Lego portrait or statue of you. Remind them to incorporate color schemes and textures into their creation. When it’s done, ask questions—have them explain why they chose each item and what makes it you. Next, have them make a portrait of themselves. This has proven to be an engaging way to slow down, get creative, and allow children to explore self-expression through a medium made for them.
Summer can feel like a soccer ball smash to the face, even though we were expecting it. The schedules that we fought tooth and nail to maintain during the school year dissolve in an instant to be supplemented either with piecemeal summer agendas or camps that enrich young minds but empty parents’ wallets. As we move through these transitions, try to frame the chaos as an adventure: you’re braving these changes with the heart of a warrior or warrioress. When we treat newness with excitement, we set the example for our children to be adaptable, enjoy the moment, and be grateful for life in all the ways that it challenges and shapes us.
For more information on Susquehanna Soccer Club, visit www.susquehannasoccerclub.org.
Christian McNaughton Memorial Park is located at 1900 Linglestown Rd., Harrisburg.
Veterans Memorial Park is located at 1955 Elmerton Ave., Harrisburg.
The Neurodiverse Network is located at 405 Bridge St., New Cumberland. For more information, visit www.ndnet.org.
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