Author Archives: Hannah Scott-Carter

Discovery Day Camp registration now open

Goshen Parks and Recreation’s Discovery Day Camp registration is now open!

This summer day camp is a fun and exciting summertime camp for children ages 5-12. The camp runs Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and begins June 3 and will be staffed through August 9.

All Discovery Day Campers will enjoy the Shanklin Pool on a regular basis as well as other park department summer activities including art camp and the Kids’ and Teens’ Triathlon. All summer activities are designed to introduce campers to new activities or expand existing interests, all the while experiencing new life skills. Each of the 10 weeks of camp has its own theme, during which campers participate in games, activities, and off-campus field trips related to that week’s theme.

Registration details

  • Fee for Goshen residents: $100 per week + $15 one-time registration fee
  • Fee for non-residents: $120 per week and $15 one-time registration fee
  • Additional Required Camp Activities: Martial Arts $30, Art Camp $40, and Triathlon $20
  • The registration fee, first week’s tuition, and additional Kids’ & Teens’ Triathlon fee must be paid upon registration
  • Please bring the following items to register: Driver’s License Number for the parent/guardian and any individuals authorized to pick up your child from camp
  • Parents can either register in person at the Goshen Parks & Recreation Department Office (524 E Jackson St.) or online.

Camp enrollment is limited, so parents/guardians are encouraged to register children early to ensure their space is reserved.

For more information, visit the Parks and Recreation page or call 574-534-2901.  

Goshen Parks and Recreation now hiring for summer positions

The Goshen Parks and Recreation Department is once again hiring for a variety of summer positions, including Lifeguards and Swim Lesson Instructors.

Lifeguards and Swim Lesson Instructors must be at least 16 years of age and possess the following certifications: American Red Cross Lifeguard, CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer, and First Aid. Swim Lesson Instructors must also have the following certifications: Red Cross Water Safety Instructor and Red Cross CPR for Professional Rescuers. Lifeguards are paid $17.84/hr, and Swim Lesson Instructors are paid $19.55/hr.

If you are interested in being a Swim Lesson Instructor but are not certified, you can become certified by taking classes at the Goshen Aquatic Center. Visit the Goshen Aquatic Center website for more information and to register for classes.

Applications can be found at goshenindiana.org/hr-opportunities. Complete applications can be submitted online or emailed to kimberleestephens@goshencity.com.

Below is the full list of open positions and their job descriptions:

Goshen Parks and Recreation hosting open house for master plan

The City of Goshen’s Parks and Recreation Department will host a community open house on Thursday, March 21, to provide the public an opportunity to share comments and feedback on the draft parks master plan.

The five-year master plan is designed by the Goshen Parks and Recreation Department in conjunction with input from Goshen residents. It outlines strategies the department will pursue to continuously improve facilities and services. Throughout the planning process, the Parks and Recreation Department provides the community with the opportunity to actively engage in directing future recreational opportunities in Goshen.

The draft of the 2024-2028 Goshen Parks Master Plan can viewed at goshenindina.org/parksmasterplan.

The open house will be at Schrock Pavilion in Shanklin Park, 411 West Plymouth Ave., from 4 to 6 p.m. If you cannot attend, residents can share comments at cwelsh@abonmarche.com.

Statewide tornado siren test happening tomorrow

The City of Goshen is alerting residents that a statewide test of tornado sirens will happen tomorrow, Tuesday, March 12, at 10:15 a.m. If residents hear tornado sirens around this time, this is just a test of the system and no reason for alarm.

This test is part of Indiana’s Severe Weather Preparedness Week. You can find more info about Severe Weather Preparedness Week here.

Community Relations Commission to host International Women’s Day Luncheon

The City of Goshen Community Relations Commission is hosting a luncheon on International Women’s Day, Friday, March 8, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Goshen Theater to celebrate and honor women in the Goshen community. 

“I’m looking forward to celebrating the women of Goshen and am grateful to the Community Relations Commission for organizing this event,” said Mayor Gina Leichty. “Creating opportunities like this luncheon encourages a spirit of engagement, which leads to a stronger and more connected community.” 

This is the first International Women’s Day event hosted by the City of Goshen and the Community Relations Commission and aims to create a space for women in Goshen to gather and celebrate one another.  

Tickets for the event are $45 and include lunch catered by Bread and Chocolate and presentations from prominent local women.  

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit goshenindiana.org/womensday.  

About International Women’s Day 
International Women’s Day is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating women’s equality. The annual event has occurred for over a century, with the first gathering in 1911 supported by over a million people. March 8, 2024, marks the first International Women’s Day event hosted by the City of Goshen and the Community Relations Commission.  


About the Community Relations Commission  
The Community Relations Commission (CRC) is dedicated to improving the quality of life in Goshen by creating programs and initiatives that benefit all community members. The Commission is committed to establishing a city free from racism and discrimination. It fosters strong bonds among residents and within neighborhoods, addresses complex issues, advocates for health, safety, and wellness, and encourages courteous and respectful interactions among Goshen’s diverse population.  

City of Goshen announces new firefighter training program in partnership with Goshen Community Schools

The City of Goshen and Goshen Community Schools announced a new Fire and EMS Pathway Program during Monday’s joint City Council and Goshen School Board meeting to enable students from Goshen High School to complete fire and EMS training. 

“This exciting new partnership between the City of Goshen and Goshen Community Schools is the result of the innovative thinking and dedication of individuals from both organizations,” said Mayor Gina Leichty. “I’m looking forward to the continued partnership with Goshen Schools and helping provide opportunities for students to develop marketable skills for life after high school.”  

This two-year program allows students to gain the necessary certifications through Ivy Tech to fulfill all requisite skills required to be hired as a firefighter or an EMT. Recruitment for the program will begin immediately, with plans for the program to start at the beginning of the 2024-25 school year. This new pathway program will be housed in the Chandler building.  

The Fire and EMS Pathway Program will not only provide students who aren’t planning on attending college the opportunity to pursue a well-paying career straight out of high school but also fulfill a need for new recruitment avenues for the Goshen Fire Department.  

“I am so excited for Goshen High School to work with the City of Goshen on the new Fire and EMS pathway,” said Jim DuBois, Goshen Community Schools Superintendent. “This new opportunity for our students fits neatly with my belief that the education of young people is really a community responsibility. Our students and our community both benefit when we work together.” 

While a similar program is available at the Elkhart Area Career Center, transportation to and from the facility in Elkhart has, at times, proved difficult. Having this program housed in Chandler will remove barriers to student participation.  

“The new pathway will not only provide valuable career opportunities for our students but will also contribute to the community by increasing the pool of qualified firefighters and emergency medical personnel,” said Cathy DeMeyer, Goshen High School Principal. “Having GHS alumni already serving as Goshen firefighters and paramedics adds a meaningful connection for us, and we hope it will serve as an inspiration for our students.” 

Goshen Fire Department has selected Travis Peak as the instructor and recruiter for the program. Peak has led the Fire Academy for the Goshen Fire Department for the last five years. Goshen Community Schools will also provide a mentor teacher to help guide students through the program.  

“The Goshen Fire Department is extremely excited to partner with Goshen Community Schools in offering this new pathway program,” said Goshen Fire Chief Dan Sink. “We always look for opportunities to serve the Goshen community beyond our daily emergency response, and being able to provide education to Goshen students has been a dream of ours.” 

With the creation of this new training facility, the Goshen Fire Department will also have the potential to offer EMS training to the public, expanding medical training opportunities for everyone.  

Community Relations Commission kicks-off third essay contest

Calling all students in grades 7-12! The Community Relations Commission is once again kicking off its annual essay contest.

This essay contest is designed to challenge the City’s future leaders to rethink what it takes to build a community where every neighbor can live, work, and learn to their fullest potential. This year’s prompt encourages students to imagine how to create communities that are safe and welcoming for everyone.

Any student in grades 7-12 who lives in Goshen is eligible to participate. The contest will be divided into two age groups, 7-8 grade and 9-12 grade. First, second, and third place will be awarded cash prizes during the March 25th City Council meeting. The first-place winner from each group will also have the opportunity to present their essays at the Goshen Chamber of Commerce’s Founder’s Day Celebration.

Students interested should answer the following prompt:

Imagine you are a member of a group working to make your community safe and welcoming for everyone. Write an essay that explores at least three of the following:

  1. What does it mean for a community to be safe and welcoming for all? Describe the important things that make people feel safe in their community.
  2. Share a story about a time when you or someone you know didn’t feel safe in your neighborhood or community. Explain why they felt that way and what could be done to make things better.
  3. Think of three ideas or actions that this group could do to make your community safer and more welcoming for everyone. Describe these ideas and why they are important.
  4. Talk about any challenges the group might face when trying to create a safer community. How do you think these challenges can be overcome?
  5. What do you think people who live in the community can do to help make it safe and welcoming for everyone? Share your thoughts on what individuals can do to support the group’s efforts.

Submissions are due by 5 p.m. on March 1, 2024. To submit your essay and for more information, visit goshenindiana.org/crcessays.

Boil Order: Middlebury Street and Cross Street

Starting at 1 p.m. on Friday, January 26, a water main valve was shut off to repair a water main break. A Boil Water Advisory has been issued for the following section of North Goshen: N 7th Street, N 8th Street, N 9th Street, Summit Street, Center Street, and Cross Street between Middlebury Street and Cross Street, for when the water comes back on.

It is recommended that all cooking and drinking water be brought to a complete boil for five minutes before using.  Please continue to boil all cooking and drinking water until a notification that it is no longer necessary.

We appreciate your cooperation during this time and will update you as necessary until the drinking water problem has been solved.  If you have any questions concerning the drinking water problem, please contact your water department at 574-534-5306 or waterseweroffice@goshencity.com.

More info on the boil order can be found below:

Boil-Order-Flier-North-Goshen-1-26-2024Download

Goshen residents reminded to exercise caution during winter weather

Due to the forecasted freezing rain, the City of Goshen is reminding residents to be prepared for slick road conditions, exercise caution while driving, and stay home if possible. Roads will be slick beginning this afternoon and continue through the Tuesday morning commute.

Street Department crews have treated roads and are prepared to react as needed. However, if enough ice accumulates on roads, it can become too dangerous for plow trucks to be on the roads. This is due to the high center of gravity of these trucks, even when weighted down, making them uncontrollable on ice.

If motorists need to be on the road, the City asks them to allow ample space around plow trucks and be patient as the Street Department works to clear roads while also keeping the safety of crews in mind.

Goshen Parks and Recreation to host family Valentine’s Day dance

The Goshen Parks and Recreation Department will be hosting a family Valentine’s Day Dance on Thursday, February 8 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Elkhart County 4-H Fairgrounds.

The evening will include dinner, mementos, and music provided by a professional DJ to dance the night away. Photos will be taken and available for purchase at the dance. Tickets are $15 and must be purchased in advance for each attendee 2 years of age and older. Tickets can be purchased at goshenindiana.org/parks-rec.