Jul 11, 2018 | Racing
The harness racing stars of tomorrow are coming! The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono, in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Harness Horsemen’s Association, are welcoming the Harness Horse Youth Foundation Camp to the track in Wilkes Barre, PA from Tuesday, July 17 to Saturday, July 21st.
Seven girls and three boys between the ages of 12 and 14 will be spending the week learning all about harness racing while working hands-on with the HHYF’s stable of Trottingbred horses. They will learn all about the care and grooming, equipment, conformation, lameness, history, stable management, and equine careers. The camp director, Ellen Taylor, and her counselors, are assisted by Pocono horsemen who volunteer their time for the week with the various learning activities.
Also during the week, the campers enjoy several other events, including a night watching the live harness racing action; riding in the starting gate and learning about the duties performed by the starter judge and other track personnel; as well as fun activities after hours, including bowling and a pool party. The camp concludes on Saturday, July 21st with three exciting races on the famous Pocono oval with the children accompanied by Pocono drivers. Approximate Post Time for the races is 5:15pm, with an awards ceremony in the Hanover Shoe Farms Winner’s Circle after the races. All in all, it is a week filled with lots of hard work…and fun!
This year, nine children are from Luzerne and Lackawanna counties in Pennsylvania, and one of the campers is from Massachusetts. This camp is one of several across the country being conducted by HHYF this summer.
The Harness Horse Youth Foundation is a charitable 501(c)3 organization dedicated to providing young people and their families educational opportunities with harness horses, in order to foster the next generation of participants and fans. The Foundation was established in 1976 and its programs include interactive learning experiences with these versatile animals, scholarship programs and educational materials. For more information on opportunities through HHYF and its mission, go to www.hhyf.org.
Dec 16, 2015 | Community Relations, General News
“Adopt-a-Family” program in partnership with United Way
From Left to Right: Ann Jones, Luzerne County Maternal and Family Health Services; Becky Brey, Luzerne County Head Start; Mike Bean, Mohegan Sun Pocono; Jennifer Pugh Deemer, United Way of Wyoming Valley
WILKES-BARRE, PA (December 11, 2015) – In its first “Adopt-a-Family” program, Mohegan Sun Pocono’s generous teammembers have donated holiday gifts for more than 400 lower-income families in Luzerne County, each with up to seven children.
On Friday, December 11th, Mohegan Sun Pocono team members, led by President & CEO Mike Bean, loaded a moving van with over 1,700 wrapped gifts and delivered them to Luzerne County Head Start and Luzerne County Maternal and Family Health Services.
“Mohegan Sun Pocono is deeply involved in our community,” said Bean, “and there is no better time to give back to those in need than the holidays. I’m tremendously proud of our team members for making a difference for so many families this season.”
The United Way of Wyoming Valley was a key partner in facilitating this program, and in bringing forward the more than 400 families from Luzerne County Head Start and Luzerne County Maternal and Family Health Services. Additionally, Mohegan Sun Pocono set up a Wishing Well where team members donated baby bottles, baby wipes and supplies, toys, coloring books, books and more for additional families in need.
ABOUT MOHEGAN SUN POCONO:
Mohegan Sun Pocono, owned by the Mohegan Tribe of Indians of Connecticut, is one of the most distinctive and spectacular entertainment, gaming, shopping and dining destinations in Pennsylvania. Situated on 400 acres in Plains, Pennsylvania, Mohegan Sun Pocono features a 238-room hotel with on-site spa and adjacent 20,000 square-foot Convention Center. It is currently home to 82,000 square feet of gaming space including 91 live table games, 2,300 slot machines and electronic table games, a variety of dining and shopping options, nightlife, entertainment and live harness racing. Mohegan Sun Pocono is within easy access of New York, Philadelphia, New Jersey and Delaware. More information is available by calling 1.888.WIN.IN.PA (1.888.946.4672) or visiting our website. Connect with us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram, download our app and view us on YouTube.
