Matt S.

An abundance of food, over 150 teens and their families, hot sun, warm sand – that’s the recipe for the annual Family School picnic held at Oquaga Creek State Park.

For the past eight years the school has hosted picnics at Oquaga Creek State Park for the students and their families. On Saturday, August 11 students from Betton House and Talbot House, staff, and their family members arrived at the park for a day of fun, food, and games.

Oquaga Creek State Park is a beautiful place located 40 minutes from the school. With sandy beaches, basketball courts, and a nice lake to swim in, it makes a great place to have a picnic. These picnics provide an opportunity for students, staff, and families to meet one another, talk, play games, and to build relationships.

With all these people, they needed a lot food! Head Chef Bill Cordts, the kitchen staff, and a student BBQ crew spent all morning preparing and cooking the food for everyone to enjoy.

Activities such as swimming, row boating, games of beach volleyball, basketball, and football helped to bring families and students close together. When asked why do they do the annual picnic, Paul Geer answered, “Provide an opportunity for families and students to get together for a day to mingle and meet their child’s friends. It’s also a social opportunity to have fun.”