Butler has s’more fun at Preston Park
Even though Fall is here, with its breezy winds and cooler temperatures, the S’more Fun in the Park fundraiser gave residents an excuse to enjoy a variety of s’mores one more time this year: to benefit a local emergency services program.
Pennsylvania State Police’s Camp Cadet program serves to teach self-discipline, teamwork and leadership skills while building positive relationships with law enforcement.
At Saturday’s S’more Fun in the Park fundraiser supporting the camp, community members had the opportunity to try almost two dozen types of non-traditional s’mores made by community members.
“The community really does care,” said Tom Knights, Butler Township community manager. “The ability for younger folks, typically around the ages of 11 to 15, to get a chance to see and not only experience police training, but interact with police, whether it be for a potential career, or some other type of community involvement, it has great value to the community.”
The community support for a program like Camp Cadet is crucial at a time when emergency services see employee shortages in Pennsylvania and beyond, officials said.
“The benefit of the program, we know there’s declining recruitment in public safety, so this is a way to provide exposure for younger kids to get into public safety at some point, whether it’s fire, EMS, whatever part of public safety they want to,” said Scott Frederick, Butler Township director of emergency services.
Beyond supporting a beneficial program for Butler’s youth, there was a variety of s’mores for all to try. All Saints Parish made caramel apple crunch and “heavenly honey bites.” The Butler Township Fire Department made s’more cookies. Boy Scout Troop 217 made banana s’mores.
“I went to Camp Cadet in 2024. It was a really good program. I enjoyed the experience I got,” said Miles Bindernagel, a high school student and member of Scout Troop 217. “I’m actually going back as a counselor. It is really awesome to see people care, because at the camp, you learn a lot of stuff related to law enforcement, physical fitness, it’s important.”
The Penn Theater Performance Company made s’more popcorn, and the Knights of Columbus’ Butler chapter made s’more milkshake shots.
In addition to local public officials and services, groups providing s’mores Saturday afternoon to fundraise for the Camp Cadet program included Peter’s Chocolate Shop, Wiest Asphalt & Paving, Butler Area Woodturners, the Butler Golden Tornado Scholastic Foundation and St. Vincent DePaul.
“I think people like helping out at this event because Camp Cadet is a good program. It does a lot of good for the youth,” said Patrick LeMay, director of the Butler chapter of the Knights of Columbus. “People like that. They’re looking for positive things to get the kids involved in.”
