Following its success last year with kids and adults alike, Summer in the Park will return this year. This is a free series of summer programming created especially for children from kindergarten through fifth grade and their caring adults. The program will take place from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. every Wednesday from June 11 to July 2 at Callahan Park. This year’s theme is “Safety Starts with Us!”

The program is a collaborative effort between United Way of the Bradford Area, Kiwanis Club of Bradford, Bradford Area Public Library and several other local organizations.

“This year we are trying to make the programming a little more impactful by focusing on safety,” said Sarah Lonzi, executive director of UWBA.

Each week will focus on a different theme surrounding the topic of safety. Week one will feature bike safety with the YMCA.

Kids will enjoy some wet fun during week two’s swim safety program, with Safe Kids Pennsylvania and CARE for Children.

Week three will focus on bus safety and stranger danger. A Bradford High School resource officer will give children tips on how to make smart choices both on the bus and off.

Week four’s program will focus around sun safety and the importance of hydration with staff from Alcohol and Drug Abuse Services.

Each week, Kiwanis Club volunteers will read the children a theme-specific story. Children will listen to the safety presentation and take part in a hands-on activity. Every child who participates in the series will also receive three swim passes for Callahan Pool.

“Every week we have lots of tasty snacks, free ice cream and free books for kids to take home,” said Lonzi.

She would like to encourage caregivers to take a book and leave a book. “If parents have extra books sitting at home they would like to bring to the next session, we would be happy to have them for other families to enjoy,” said Lonzi.

Children who attend Summer in the Park must be accompanied by an adult. While the ages are set at kindergarten through fifth grade, Lonzi says that the goal is to reach as many children as possible.

“We don’t want to turn kids away so if it is the summer before they start kindergarten or maybe the summer where they just graduated from fifth grade, that is alright too,” said Lonzi.

Pre-registration is encouraged through the United Way. However, there will be sign-up sheets on the day of each activity as well.

Last year, each day of the program saw about 35 to 45 children in attendance and organizers hope to expand this year.

“We would ideally like to see about 75 kids in each session,” said Lonzi.

The series will have a final celebration from 5 to 7 p.m. July 10.

“Last year we did a family picnic but the weather made that difficult,” said Lonzi. “So this year we are having more of a community celebration.”

The evening of fun will include a “Touch the Truck” activity that will include all types of large trucks and emergency vehicles.

“We are even going to have the Zamboni from the parks department and I am hoping to round up maybe a dump truck or cement mixer,” said Lonzi.

There will be a balloon artist, facepainting and free hot dogs among other surprises.

“We are looking forward to this series creating moments of connection for families,” said Lonzi. “People should mark their calendars and come out because we think this year it will be pretty great.”