The Neighborhood-Based Family Intervention Center's Summer Enrichment Program held its awards luncheon Wednesday, but more important were the rewards the youngsters took away from the program.

"I think it was really good," said Sean Moore of Sharpsville. "I learned how to make really great friends." He was one of many children throughout the area who attended a six-week program recently.

Presented at the luncheon were awards for perfect attendance, leadership, most improved, and outstanding participation & behavior.

The program, run through the Children's Aid Society of Mercer County, was attended by children referred to the program through a number of partnerships such as The Mercer County Juvenile Probation office, the Children and Youth Services, and Behavioral Health Commission.

The director of the program, Yolanda A. Mazyck, spoke at the luncheon.

"We had a great year," said Ms. Mazyck. "This was our first year to coordinate children from outside of NBFIC and it went really well. We did not have one incident."

The children live in towns through out the area including Mercer, Sharon, Hermitage, Farrell, West Middlesex and Wheatland.

"I think we learned a lot of things we wouldn't have otherwise (without the program)," said one camper, Caleb Gregory, of Farrell.

Fellow leadership award winner Brandy Gillespie, of Farrell agreed.

"I think I learned a lot of things too, like to stand up for myself and to act on my own without waiting for others," said Brandy. "I also learned to better take direction from my elders."

The camp includes activities such as calisthenics; physical educational games; word, phrase, and thought of the day; and working on ideas such as self-concept, team work and respect.

"We also have outings once a week to places like the Farrell High School swimming pool, said Rosalyn Wright, the Summer Enrichment Program coordinator. The group also took a trip to Six Flags amusement park.

NBFIC runs its camp by hiring college students around the area to counsel the children. The camp this year was staffed by Yolanda Mazyck, Terrence Harrison, Skye Lehocky, Rosalyn Wright, Leon Harrison, Vanessa Kucik, Dante Newell, Tracy Robinson, Maurice Wright and Shirley Kucik.

Ms. Mazyck also took the time to thank the partnerships in the area that made the camp financially possible.

"We need funding to do this and I would truly like to thank those that partnered with the NBFIC to help us out this year," said Ms. Mazyck as she continued to list the above partners. "The truth is we have a wonderful staff and a great program, but it does take money to run it," she said.

Partnerships to help fund the project were formed with Mercer County United Way, Mercer County Housing Authority, the Community Food Warehouse and Olivia Lazor, commissioner of Mercer County.

Each group of children -- labeled as blue, green and beige -- presented what they had learned that week. They also showed off their groups' flag and chant.

The Children Aid Society Auxiliary was also presented with a thank you from the Summer Enrichment program.

"Yolanda is just wonderful," said CASA member Claudia Leyde. "You want to see someone who works time and a half for these kids."

"We've never seen anyone work so hard for them," chimed in another member.

The program was also able to provide the children who participated in the event with T-shirts.

Winning awards at the camp for perfect attendance were Caleb Gregory, Jade Samuels, Justin Hites, Yvonne Miller, Prince Butler, Jessica Robinson, Megan Crawford, Sean Moore, April Razo, John Fontaine and Cassandra Hollabaugh.

Awards for their signs of leadership were given to Gregory, Moore and Brandy Gillespie. These three leaders were recommended to the Urban League's Summer Enrichment Program Youth Apprenticeship for their outstanding behavior and help with the program.

For awards in the most improved category were Hollabaugh, Ben Norris and Crawford.

Most outstanding participation and behavior awards were handed out to Moore and Hites who both received $20 gift certificates to Six Flags.

Best behavior for the entire camp went to Sean Bitler.