The Grovetown Police Department is preparing for its annual summer camp.
This free, annual camp was started by former councilwoman Marjorie Adams, and the police department assisted her at the time, said Grovetown Police Department Assistant Police Chief Major Robert Eastman. After she passed away in 2006, the police department took it over full-time. Each day will feature a specific guest, including a magician, reptile show, drones, fire safety house, puppet show and more.
“In-between that we give them breakfast and lunch and we have different activities throughout the day, fun things for kids to do,” Eastman said.
Grovetown Police Chief Jamey Kitchens said the other activities include watching movies, playing board games and different sports in the gym.
“We played wiffle ball with them last year, and basically we try and keep them active,” Kitchens said.
Keeping the kids active is a team effort, and during the week, all staff who aren’t on patrol are out there helping with the camp, Kitchens said.
This year the camp is limited to 50 kids and all the spots have already been filled. In fact, it’s so popular that Eastman said he’s received calls from parents whose kids were there last year that wanted to attend again, but weren’t able to get in.
“We give the parents a break, and it’s free. Nothing comes free anymore and it’s well received,” Eastman said.
As for his favorite part, Kitchens said it’s seeing the kids become friends in such a short amount of time.
“I think what I liked was, Monday a lot of these kids are not familiar with one another, so you’re bringing 50 kids, and they’re all trying to find their way,” Kitchens said. “Come Tuesday morning you can see the meshing of them, they’re all playing and they’re running and getting one they didn’t know the day before with a board game and that’s really neat. Some of these kids, when summer comes around, whatever the circumstances are, they don’t have any interaction with the children they go to school with until they go back to school. It’s neat to see them come in and make new friends and be able to enjoy themselves. Like the major said, it gives the parents a break and I would be lying if I didn’t say we took some enjoyment from it too.”
Eastman said his favorite part is learning about the critters and watching the magician perform.
The camp, which is filled, will take place June 12-16 at Liberty Park Community Center.
Stephanie Hill is a staff writer covering Columbia County government for The Augusta Press. Reach her at stephanie@theaugustapress.com.
