SWAMPSCOTT — It’s a “stay-at-home-cation.”
This Tuesday through Friday, Swampscott children in kindergarten through fourth grade will have a chance to participate in live virtual activities provided by teachers, fitness instructors, a disc jockey, and summer “Park League” counselors during Swampscott Recreation’s at-home camping benefit for Anchor Food Pantry.
All activities are free, but donations are recommended, and all money will go to the food pantry, which is providing meals to residents facing food insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic.
To sign up for the event, visit the Swampscott Recreation website at www.swampscottrec.com. There will be a link to PayPal to make a donation on the sign-up page.
Upon signing up, links to crafts and activities during the “stay-at-home-cation” as well as daily itineraries, are available. Tuesday, there will be a 9 a.m. “storytime” with Swampscott Recreation Director Danielle Strauss and her dog, Lilly, via Zoom, followed by a 10 a.m. total-body workout led by Swampscott High School teacher and field hockey coach Courtney Russo, as well as members of the field hockey team.
Events continue throughout the week, including more stories, yoga, and a dance party. At the end of each “camp” day, a video will be provided from Park League counselors with suggested activities for children staying at home.
Anchor Food Pantry is not only serving Swampscott Residents during the COVID-19 pandemic, but also residents from Nahant. Those facing food insecurity may pick up bags at Swampscott High School, 200 Essex St., filled with food staples, coffee, crackers, peanut butter, and cookies. Nahant residents must show a valid ID showing a Nahant address and can pick up on Mondays and Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Swampscott residents may go Mondays through Fridays.
Anchor Food Pantry, in a statement about the fundraising event, recognized the support it is receiving from local organizations such as Swampscott Recreation.
“While our teachers and children get a much needed break from their new way of life, remote learning, the Swampscott Recreation department is hard at work putting some fun and creative activities in place for our kiddos,” the statement reads. “We are so appreciative of the outpouring of support from Swampscott residents as well as town government.”
