From staff reports
The Venango Fatherhood Initiative and Two Mile Run County Park will host the sixth annual Family Winterfest on Saturday, Jan. 28, at the park.
Winterfest is a combination of the Venango Fatherhood Initiative’s events at the Pioneer Flats pavilion and the park’s free Learn-To-Ski day at the Nature Lodge.
The initiative’s activities at Pioneer Flats will begin at 11:30 a.m.
The cardboard box derby race involves participants constructing a sled out of cardboard and racing it down the hill. Winners of each age bracket will be awarded a prize.
Family Winterfest is free, but space is limited. Registration should be made by Wednesday by calling the initiative at 676-9940, Ext. 12.
It will be held weather permitting and the make-up day will be Saturday, Feb. 4.
The event is sponsored by Moose Family Center No. 78 of Oil City.
The purpose of the event is to foster positive parent involvement, according to Venango Fatherhood Initiative program director Anthony Rosario-Adams.
Rosario-Adams said the goal of Venango Fatherhood is to improve the lives of children in Venango County by increasing the number of children growing up with involved, responsible, and dedicated fathers. “VFI will provide support, counseling, education, and advocacy to help strengthen the bonds between fathers and their families,” he added.
Rosario-Adams said there is a father absence crisis in America.
He added that according to the U.S. Census Bureau, 24 million children in America – one out of three – live without their biological father in the home. Consequently, there is a “father factor” in nearly all of the societal ills facing America today, Rosario-Adams said. Research shows children growing up in father absent homes are more likely to have behavioral issues, to abuse drugs, more likely to commit crimes, seven times more likely to become pregnant as a teenager, and the list goes on, he added.
Meanwhile, Two Mile Run Park will host a Learn-To-Ski Day at the Nature Lodge.
The free cross country skiing lessons run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Lessons are held each hour. Participants must preregister by calling the park office at 676-6116.
The park usually has three to four instructors available.
Participants can also try snow shoeing. Lunch is also available for a donation.
