Youth, Summer Lingo, Bingo Is Back for Year Three in Cannon Township
Sometimes the best summer activities are the simplest ones.
Go for a hike. Catch a fish. Visit a park. Find a Little Free Library. Learn the name of a plant. Play pickleball. Look at the stars.
That is the idea behind Cannon Township’s Youth, Summer Lingo, Bingo, which is back for its third year encouraging kids and families to get outside, explore the community, and learn a little something along the way.
The program was created through a collaboration between Cannon Township’s Invasive Species, Parks and Recreation Committee, the Cannon Township Fire Department, and community partners. The goal is pretty simple: give kids a reason to explore all of the great things already available right here in Cannon Township.
How Does Youth, Summer Lingo, Bingo Work?
Kids receive a bingo card filled with activities they can complete throughout the summer at their own pace.
This year’s card includes adventures such as:
Hiking Cannonsburg Hill
Visiting a Little Free Library
Identifying native plants
Removing invasive species
Taking a photo at Luton Park
Catching a fish
Playing pickleball
Visiting the Cannon Township Museum
Exploring local streams, lakes and trails
Participating in Cannon Kids Rocks
Teaching someone else something about nature or conservation
Some squares can be completed in an afternoon. Others might give your family an excuse to visit a place you have driven past 100 times but never actually stopped to explore.
And that is kind of the point.
It Started With a Simple Idea
When Youth, Summer Lingo, Bingo launched in 2024, the idea was inspired by traditional summer reading challenges, but instead of only turning pages, we wanted kids turning over rocks, walking trails, visiting parks, supporting local businesses and learning about the community around them.
That first year even caught the attention of local media. WGVU featured the program as a way to encourage youth outdoor exploration, and FOX 17 highlighted activities including visiting township parks, supporting local businesses and getting outside with family.
Three summers later, the basic idea has not changed much because, frankly, it works.
Kids like having a challenge.
Parents like having ideas for things to do.
And I love anything that sneaks a little learning into summer without making it feel like homework.
The Real Prize Is Getting Out There
Yes, completing the bingo card is fun, and we love having incentives for the kids.
But I think the bigger win is discovering something new close to home.
Maybe your child catches their first fish.
Maybe you finally take the family to the Cannon Township Museum.
Maybe someone learns what an invasive species is.
Maybe your kids play pickleball with their grandparents.
Or maybe you find a new trail that becomes part of your family's regular routine.
Township Trustee Cy Balk summed up the goal well when he explained that the program is meant to help kids explore the community and appreciate the parks, trails and natural resources available right here in Cannon Township.
There Is Still Time to Play
Families can download a bingo card from the Cannon Township website, and cards were also included with summer tax bills and in the last communicator. The activities are flexible, so there is no need to complete everything in one weekend or follow a particular order.
And with summer moving faster than any of us would like, this is actually a pretty good excuse to squeeze in a few more adventures before school routines take over again.
Pick a square.
Grab the kids.
Invite a neighbor or grandparent.
And go see what you can find.
After all, sometimes we spend so much time looking for things to do that we forget how much there is to do right in our own backyard.
Happy third year, Youth, Summer Lingo, Bingo! Now go get some squares.
