Day Camp to end Friday
By Kathy Thomson
ResourceCare’s Summer Day Camp is winding down, with only two days of activities left of the three-week schedule.
“We have toured the Albany Volunteer Fire Department, First National Bank, and the Old Jail Art Center,” said program director Mindy Ary. “I want to send out a big thank you to the Feed Store and to Friendship Baptist for allowing us to use their space and keep the kids out of the heat!”
Attendance numbers have been high again this year, though slightly less than last year’s record setting mean of 110 campers per day.
“We are averaging 105 kids daily,” said Ary. “And we have a total of 50 high school kids employed and 16 junior high volunteers.”
So far this month the campers have had visits from local cowboys, members of the Albany Police Department, Big Country Fellowship of Christian Athletes representative Paul Johnston, and Ginger Bumguardner, Lavelle Vinson, Courtney Clegg, and Ashley Moon with a Vacation Bible School program.
This year the day campers attended a mini three-day VBS during the first week of camp instead of going to a week-long off-site VBS as they have done the last few years.
The community-wide program is scheduled for Aug. 4-7, after Day Camp is over.
The two VBS programs are different, so those who attended the mini-VBS will find new material at the August event.
The day camp has been held annually since 1998, when 15 kids participated in the program designed to help reduce the youth crime rate in Albany during the summer months by providing students with a safe place, nutritious food, structured activities, and educational experiences during part of their summer vacation.
This year, the camp started on Monday, July 8, and it will continue from 8:30 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. through tomorrow, July 26.
The Summer Food Program for Children sponsored by the Texas Department of Human Services is part of the camp and was available during the three-week period at the Albany Youth Center.
Children are provided a breakfast snack and a hot meal at lunch time, all served at the Albany Youth Center.
Adult, high school, and junior high students supervise the various activities.
Donations for the camp are still being accepted. Anyone who would like to contribute to the camp can send tax deductible donations to Resource Care, PO Box 2435, Albany, TX 76430. Donors should designate that the funding be used for “Day Camp.”
For more information, contact the Resource Center at 325-762-2447.
