Flight Trampoline Park jumps right into season of giving
Young Caprice Correz is many years away from trying the Ninja Warrior course behind her. But her mom, Madison Pash of Washington, might be game.
Students from the Pittsburgh Project play dodgeball at Flight.
The contingent from the Pittsburgh Project had quite the night at Flight.
The season of generosity started early at Flight Trampoline Park.
The Collier Township physical entertainment venue – see the kids in action, and you’ll agree with the description – has finished some serious upgrades, and the owners want as many people as possible to share in the Flight experience.
“Rather than throw a party or anything, we’d like to give back to the community and bring in groups that might not be able to come in otherwise,” marketing manager Stephanie Stringos explained.
Since the start of November, Flight has been donating admission tickets to youth-support organizations, with a couple of options available.
“They could either take tickets and bring a group in to have fun for the night, or they could take the tickets and sell them for a fundraiser,” Stringos said. “Some are even doing a combination of both.”
The result is that more folks have the opportunity to burn off energy in Flight’s main trampoline area, which has the capacity for up to 170 jumpers. They also can play a bouncy version of dodgeball and check out the new attractions: the high-tech Laser Race, the Kiddie Court for the youngest of youngsters, and the Ninja Warrior jungle gym-type course.
“It tests a lot of strength and skill, and a lot of upper body. It’s hard for some people, but we do have four different lanes of difficulty,” Stringos said about the latter. “It’s definitely a lot of fun, and even we employees have a good time trying to see how good we are at it.”
Students in the Pittsburgh Project – a 31-year-old North Side community development organization that offers after-school programs, summer camps and service opportunities ¬- tried the various activities during a recent visit to Flight.
“During the after-school program, often times they’re working on homework and doing things like that, so it’s fun to just have an activity where we can all come together for something different,” Rick Mason, leadership development coordinator, said.
Natasha Thrasher, middle school-high school coordinator, said the Ninja Warrior course was a particular draw.
“They’re excited about being here. They like the opportunity. They’ve been asking for a place like this, and we haven’t been able to really afford to bring them,” she said, explaining that the nonprofit’s budget goes only so far.
Flight also is hosting groups such as Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Pittsburgh; the Ward Home, a provider of independent living programs for at-risk teens and young adults; and Best Buddies, an organization dedicated to ending the social, physical and economic isolation of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Beyond donating tickets, throughout November the company has contributed 25 percent of the amount of each ticket sold to a charity of the customer’s choice.
On Dec. 7, Flight is inviting representatives of the nonprofit organizations, along with their family members, to a special event at which the total amount of donations will be announced.
Also, Flight will unveil its new mascot.
“We actually had a family who named him,” Stringos said, “and they’re coming in to collect their prize.”