Shaping Summit Together Hosts First Ever 'Stay-Cation'

Shaping Summit Together in conjunction with its partners at the YMCA, The Connection, and the Department of Community Programs is sponsoring the first ever Stay-cation in Summit.

What is a stay-cation you might ask?

The word stay-cation was added to the Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary in 2009 and is defined as "a period of time in which an individual or family stays at home and relaxes at home or takes day trips from their home to area attractions."

Staycations became popular beginning in 2007 at the onset of what is now being called The Great Recession and continues to be popular today.

Annette Dwyer, Board Chair of Shaping Summit Together, said the idea for the week-long campaign in Summit beginning April 5 was the result of brainstorming sessions between multiple agencies in Summit all striving for a common goal and looking for ways to work together.

"It continues to be a tough economic environment and perhaps the reality is families are not traveling but staying in Summit," Dwyer said. "We wanted to give them a feeling of joy and happiness to affirm their choice to stay in Summit because Summit has so many wonderful things to offers in terms of playtime, swim-time, passive recreation, doing things you can do as a family."

Stay-cations frequently include activities such as use of the backyard pool, visits to local parks, museums, and other attractions and attendance at local festivals. Some also like to create the feeling of being on a traditional vacatiom by avoiding everyday tasks such as chores.

But the key, Dwyer said, is families can enjoy themselves right in thier hometown without the travel hassles, weather concerns and the kids can sleep in their own bed at night.

"They can come away from this week with the feeling of being refreshed and being recreated by staying in town," she said.

Some of the events include Family Float Day at the YMCA for $5, open gym at the Community Center, youth games including Wii, billiards and board games at the Youth Center, free movie afternoon at the  youth center and much more. For a full list of events you can check out Shaping Summit Together's Web site or the see the attached pdf.