BELMONT — Belmont County Schools Staying Clean program will host over 1,500 youths from schools throughout Belmont County at end-of-year picnics at Barkcamp State Park.

Middle school program participants will attend on May 6, while high school students will attend a picnic on May 8. Juvenile Judge Al Davies is encouraged by the positive response and the number of youths choosing to participate in the Belmont County Staying Clean Program and will be present at the picnic at noon May 6.

Fun activities for the event include kayaking, fishing, swimming, kickball and wiffle ball along with grilled hot dogs and picnic treats for the students. Juvenile Court staff will assist, along with Martins Ferry Police Chief John McFarland and Martins Ferry officers and volunteer coordinator Stacey Longenette. Hanover Fuel Stop staff will provide grilling and T-shirts for all students, along with other community volunteers. Various school staff attend to support the youngsters in their efforts to remain drug free. Prizes for participation in the program are given away along with gift cards to those attending the picnic.

The Belmont County Schools Staying Clean program continues to grow and expand into younger grade levels by providing positive education and encouragement to young children to remain drug free. By providing drug testing for older students in addition to education for a drug-free lifestyle. Along with incentives for living a healthy lifestyle, teens are given the opportunity and tools to say no to drugs. Participants can choose to join the program by filling out a form with a parent’s signature. Student officers are elected in each high school club, empowering students to participate and organize individual club activities at their home high schools in addition to events such as the picnics, which all student participants across the county are invited to attend.

Generous support of this program has been provided by various organizations, businesses and individual donors. Donations to the “Staying Clean Program” are tax deductible and can be made to: Friends of Belmont County Juvenile Court, 114 S. Butler St., St. Clairsville, OH 43950.