PRAISE EVENT: Jacob’s and Harvest Church presents Praise in the Valley 1-5 p.m. June 7 at Ontelaunee Park, 7344 Kings Hwy, New Tripoli, featuring Freedom in Christ Band, Harvest Church Band, Jacob’s Church Praise Team, and Valerie Borman from Ebenezer Church. Food truck available Nesting Box and Billy’s Pretzels. For more information, contact pastor@jacobschurch.org.

4-H CAMPS: Lehigh County 4-H is inviting youth to sign up for two hands-on summer day camps taking place at the Lehigh County Ag Center, 4184 Dorney Park Road, Allentown. No prior 4-H experience is required to attend.

These camps are open to all eligible youth in the area and are a great way for families new to 4-H to discover what the program has to offer. The Cloverbud 4-H Discovery Camp designed for youth ages 5—10 as of Jan. 1, 2026, will be held from 9 a.m. — 3:30 p.m. June 22—24. Registration deadline is June 12. The Junior Vet Camp for youth ages 10—14 as of Jan. 1, 2026, will take place 9 a.m. — 3:30 p.m. July 21—23. Registration deadline is July 10. Spaces are limited, so early registration is encouraged. Register for either camp, visit 4h.zsuite.org, select Lehigh County, and click on Events.

PHOTO CONTEST: The Pennsylvania Resources Council (PRC) invites Pennsylvanians to grab a camera or mobile device and photograph the worst — or most unusual — examples of litter in their communities. The PRC is accepting entries for its annual Gene Capaldi Lens on Litter Photo Contest through Oct. 31. Entries should raise awareness of how litter threatens public health and safety, scenic beauty, property values, the environment, and pets or wildlife and are judged on: anti-litter message, originality, photographic technique, quality of photo, originality of title and severity of the litter. Each person may submit up to five photos (no smaller than 4×6 and no larger than 8×10). Each entry must include: entrant’s name, address, telephone number, email address, title given to photo, location of litter site and how you learned about the contest. Students only: age, grade, and school name. Entries submitted without all required information will be disqualified. Use the online entry form and find additional details at https://prc.org/what-we-do/lens-on-litter-contest/ to enter the contest. Questions may be directed to lensonlitter@prc.org. All photos may be used by PRC or Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful at their discretion.

HAWK MOUNTAIN: Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, 1700 Hawk Mountain Road, Kempton, and the Berks Sinfonietta will present the sixth annual Music on the Mountain, a live presentation of classical selections at 2 p.m. June 13 in the Sanctuary’s accessible Amphitheater. The Sinfonietta will perform selections that celebrate the outdoors and the changing seasons that occur in early June. This year’s program will also feature three regional premieres, including the work of Amy Beach, a noted woman composer, which is the group’s way of celebrating the country’s 250th anniversary this year. Admission costs $20 for Hawk Mountain members and $25 for nonmembers, available to buy online. Ticket holders may bring their own folding chairs or blanket, and a musician mixer with a live raptor and light refreshments will be provided inside the Visitor Center immediately following the event. To learn more about Hawk Mountain or other programs, call 610-756-6961 or visit www.hawkmountain.org.

LEHIGH GAP: Lehigh Gap Nature Center, 8844 Paint Mill Road, Slatington, will be holding its free Pollinator Day 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 20. Enjoy exhibits, a native plant sale, and other activities throughout the day. All day activities will include art marking with the Nurture Nature Center, face painting, butterfly photo station, games, and family friendly activities! Buns on the Go food truck will be here too to provide refreshments! Select from a large variety of native plants at LGNC’s popular summer plant sale! All proceeds from the plant sale will support LGNC’s native landscaping programs. Peruse an exhibition of butterfly themed artwork produced by local artists! Enter your artwork for the art exhibition at https://forms.gle/tJooehGQ2sTDzH1v7.

YOUTH LEADERSHIP: YLEAD is a summer service leadership and service program for high school students in the Lehigh Valley. Participants develop critical leadership skills while working to support nonprofit organizations through service projects and volunteering in the Lehigh Valley. Youth in the program are provided with the encouragement, peer networks, and leadership skills necessary for them to make meaningful connections and contributions to their communities. Students will have opportunities to meet other like-minded peers, and community leaders, learn about career paths, and service opportunities to pursue after camp as well as during. Register by June 17 at https://form.jotform.com/vclv/ylead-2026-application.

BOOK DRIVE: The library committee of Weisenberg Township is excited to hold a “book drive” for the entire month of May to stock our shelves. Gently used books can be donated at the current Weisenberg Township Administration Building on Seipstown Road. A “Little Free Library” both inside and outside the new Weisenberg Township Community Center will be opening this summer. A free book exchange and programs related to reading and literature for all ages will be available to all community center members.

BIKE TOUR: Pack up your bike and explore the D & L Trail with LGNC Board Member Brandon Fogal from 5-8 p.m. May 28. The Lehigh Gap Bike Tour will begin at Lehigh Gap Nature Center’s Osprey House, 8844 Paint Mill Road, Slatington, and go up to Weissport and back, totaling about 15 miles round trip. Rain date: June 4. The trip includes a professional guide, and participants must bring their own bikes and helmets. Please bring a backpack with water and a snack, and pack some cash to stop for ice cream on the way back, The recommended minimum age to participate is 10. Registration is required and spots are limited. Contact mail@lgnc.org or 610-760-8889 for more information.

JORDAN VBS: Jordan Lutheran Church, 5103 Snowdrift Road, Orefield, will hold its Vacation Bible School 9 a.m.- noon July 13-17. Theme is Rain Forest Falls. Register at vbspro.events/p/f1884a.

CHURCH FUNDRAISER: A fundraiser with Vince’s Famous Cheesesteaks Food Truck will take place noon to 6 p.m. June 10, at Christ’s Church at Lowhill. Vince’s will donate $1 for every sandwich sold right back to the church. Lowhill Church will also be selling homemade baked goods. Indoor and outdoor dining facilities will be available. For more information, call 610-842-4781.

CAMP CADET: State Police Troop M, Bethlehem, have announced its annual Camp Cadet program will be held June 7 to 12, at Camp Fowler, 5851 Horseshoe Road, Orefield. The camp is an overnight summer program for boys and girls between the ages of 12-15. Anyone interested in attending the camp can register at https://www.troopmcampcadet.org/.

VBS: Ziegels Church Vacation Bible School for youth in Kindergarten to sixth grade will be held 6-8:30 p.m. June 22-26. The theme is Rain forest Falls: Exploring the Nature of God. Registration is open. For more information Contact Laurie at ziegelsce@gmail.com.

PEACE CAMP: Elementary School-aged children can enjoy a low-cost day camp designed to encourage cooperation, understanding of other cultures, reverence for our planet and much more at the 37th annual LEPOCO Young People Making Peace Summer Day Camp. July 27 — 31 at the First Presbyterian Church in Allentown. Enrollment costs on a sliding scale from $10 to $50/week. Children who have completed Kindergarten through seventh grade are welcome. To register or volunteer, go to LEPOCO.org or call 610-691-8730.

DODGEBALL TOURNAMENT: For the third year, a one-time gym class tradition returns to help kids in need, as KidsPeace announces the third annual KidsPeace Dodgeball Tournament will be held June 18, at the organization’s Orchard Hills Campus in Orefield. Registration of teams for the Dodgeball Tournament is now open, but will close on June 5. To register your team or if you need additional information on ways to support KidsPeace, please contact Elizabeth Ruggiero, director of Development at elizabeth.ruggiero@kidspeace.org or register your team online at http://weblink.donorperfect.com/KidsPeaceDodgeball2026.

TRACTOR SHOW: Ziegels Church Tractor and Car show, a free community event, will take place from noon to 6 p.m. July 11. Entertainment will be by The Hannah Violet Trio and The Majestics. There will be food, games, raffles, bake sale, tractor pulls and fun for all ages. Interested in showing your tractor or classic car, email ziegelsfellowship@gmail.com. For more information on these events, call the church office at 610-285-6157.

FOSTER CARE: The Salvation Army Eastern Pennsylvania Children’s Services announces the launch of a new Short-Term Foster Care Program that provides safe, loving homes for children who require temporary care. Contact Emily at 610-821-7706, emily.anthony@use.salvationarmy.org.

APPRENTICESHIP PARTNERSHIPS: Lehigh Carbon Community College (LCCC), as part of the Pennsylvania Commission for Community Colleges (PACCC), yesterday signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with TradesFutures to establish a first-of-its-kind statewide apprenticeship-ready partnership.

The agreement, signed on National Skilled Trades Day in Harrisburg, authorizes Pennsylvania’s 15 community colleges to implement the Multi-Craft Core Curriculum (MC3). This is a nationally recognized pre-apprenticeship program, developed by North America’s Building Trades Unions.

For more information on opportunities at LCCC, please visit lccc.edu/ or email admissions@lccc.edu.

HAWK MOUNTAIN

SUMMER CAMP: Hawk Mountain Sanctuary invites families to plan ahead for an unforgettable summer of outdoor exploration with its 2026 Summer Nature Camps. Designed for youth in grades one through five, these week long day camps will immerse children in the natural world through hands-on, educational, and fun-filled experiences on the Mountain. All camps run Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. June 15 — Aug. 7. For camp details visit hawkmountain.org/summercamps. Contact Jessica Gary at gary@hawkmountain.org for more information.

HELPERS WANTED: The Sanctuary is also seeking 14- to 17-year-olds who need internship or volunteer hours to assist with camp by participating in the Counselors-In-Training program, which provides leadership training and hands-on experience working with youth in the outdoors. For more information, go to https://www.hawkmountain.org/education/programs/counselors-in-training.

LEHIGH GAP

SENIORS GROUP: Lehigh Gap Nature Center, 8844 Paint Mill Road, Slatington, has formed a new group for nature-minded seniors. The sessions will be held in the Great Hall at the Osprey House on the second Monday of each month from 9-10:30 a.m.

ECOLOGY CLUB: LGNC’s Ecology Club is back for the 2025-26 school year! Children ages 9 and older are invited to meet from 4:15-5:15 p.m. at the Osprey House on the first Wednesday of every month until June 3 for fun, hands-on nature adventures. Participation is free to all LGNC members and their families, and no registration is required. Email riley.davenport@lgnc.org if you have any questions.

NEWS WELCOME: The Northwestern Press welcomes student news, business accomplishments and details about your organization’s events and accomplishments. To have your news published, send information about the event and photos to gtaylor@tnonline.com. Photos should be sent high resolution with captions that list everyone in the photo from left to right, front to back. You can also send news about upcoming events. Please send two weeks ahead of time if possible, though we make every attempt to get last minute information published. Be sure to include a contact phone number in case we have any questions.

FOSTER CARE: The Salvation Army Eastern Pennsylvania Children’s Services announces the launch of a new Short-Term Foster Care Program that provides safe, loving homes for children who require temporary care. No prior experience is required, just a willingness to provide a nurturing and supportive environment for children in need for days or weeks. Contact Emily at 610-821-7706, emily.anthony@use.salvationarmy.org.