LAKE PARK —
The two-day Life Steps Camp launched its ninth session Monday morning at the 4H Club campgrounds with registration, prayers and a gang-awareness workshop to start the day’s loaded agenda.
Pastor J.D. Martin, camp director and pastor of King Solomon Missionary Baptist Church, said the camp is held in late summer so that the life lessons learned by the lakeside carry into the school year.
“The main reason we’re doing this is because we want to see these kids blossom and become the people that we know that they can be,” said Martin. “We want to enrich their lives and teach them discipline.”
More than 400 youths have attended the camp since its inception nine years ago, Martin said. He said the camp’s organizers stay in touch with campers throughout the school year to reinforce what the youths learned during the summer.
Valdosta Schools Superintendent Dr. Bill Cason was present to greet registering campers before they moved to a lecture on gangs from Valdosta Police Department Officer Vernotis Williams.
“It’s just another opportunity for me, as superintendent, to touch the lives of young people,” said Cason. “These are good kids who really want to learn and do the right thing. You won’t find any bad kids in this group.”
Abreauna Frazier, a camper, said attending the annual camp has taught her respect for others and has encouraged her to stand up for herself.
“It’s a fun place to be, and I’ve been coming here seven years,” said Frazier. “And I always enjoy learning about God.”
After a post-lunch devotional, the campers were scheduled for a three-hour block of water activities in the afternoon.
The camp’s second and final day will be filled with two more hours of water activities, a couple of meals, a devotion and cabin cleaning before loading the buses for home.
Camper Nastassja Simmons said she enjoyed being around her counselor and looked forward to next year’s camp.
“I learned that gangs are bad, because they teach you to do bad things,” said Simmons. “And this camp is just really fun!”
Citizens interested in enrolling their children into next year’s camp are encouraged to contact Pastor J.D. Martin of King Solomon Missionary Baptist Church by calling (229) 292-8979.
Local News
Related Photos
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Quinten Plummer | The Valdosta Daily Times Campers enjoy a game of pantomime Monday, before lunch is served during the Life Steps Summer Camp conducted at the 4H Club in Lake Park.
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