Escambia County Wraps Up Another Successful Summer Camp Program

Escambia County recently wrapped up another successful year of the Play, Learn, & Grow Summer Camp, with over 200 local youth participating in this fun, educational and recreational program over the summer.

This year's six-week summer camp was hosted at four Escambia County community centers, offering a variety of activities including recreational games and sports, arts and crafts, educational instruction, and more. The Play, Learn, & Grow Summer Camp also partners with Feeding the Gulf Coast to provide youth with breakfast, lunch and a snack during camp.

District 3 Commissioner Lumon May, county staff, the Escambia County Sheriff's Office, and other community partners joined summer campers to celebrate the last day of camp on Wednesday, July 24 at Brownsville Community Center, with fun activities, games, giveaways and more throughout the day. Summer camp participants also gave talented performances as part of a "youth extravaganza," including singing, dancing and more.

"We're very excited to wrap up another successful summer camp at our community centers, which have been filled with fun activities to keep youth in our community active and engaged all summer long," District 3 Commissioner Lumon May said. "This program is so incredibly important, not only to provide local youth with an opportunity to have fun with their peers, but also to keep their minds stimulated and help them feel better prepared to go back to school in the fall. Being able to provide programs like this is vital for so many families in District 3 and Escambia County, and there is nothing more rewarding for me than seeing the smiles on these children's faces."

Escambia County hosts the Play, Learn, & Grow Summer Camp each year for youth ages 5-13, previously offering the program at Brownsville Community Center and Ebonwood Community Center. This year, the summer camp expanded to two additional community centers: Ensley Community Center and Lexington Terrace Community Center.

Leroy Williams, who manages the summer camp program as a Division Manager for the Escambia County Neighborhood & Human Services Department, said it has been an exciting summer filled with activities, guest speakers, workshops, games, and tutoring opportunities, just to name a few. Williams said the summer camp is important because it provides a low-cost opportunity for local children to enjoy an engaging and activity-filled summer.

"It gives them an opportunity to do something very positive during the summer that will help them not only have a good summer off from school, but also prepare them academically to go back to school," Williams said. "It provides the kids a safe environment to do all of this."

Williams said community center staff works with participants on school subjects including math, English and science, along with providing a variety of activities and recreational sports.

"Being able to see these kids having fun is the highlight for me, just to see how awesome this program is working to help our kids have a good summer and prepare them to go back to school," Williams said. "That's the inspiration for me, is to know these kids are in a positive environment, they're enjoying themselves, they're learning. The program this year has been one of our greatest successes, and I'm already looking forward to next year."

Escambia County is also offering after school programs at Brownsville Community Center and Ebonwood Community Center starting Aug. 15. Registration is open now. Limited space is available. For more information, please contact Leroy Williams at 850-426-1156 or [email protected].

District 3 Commissioner Lumon May joins students for the end of summer camp celebration Wednesday, July 24 at Brownsville Community Center.

District 3 Commissioner Lumon May speaks to summer camp participants at the end of summer camp celebration Wednesday, July 24 at Brownsville Community Center.

Summer camp participants on the last day of camp Wednesday, July 24 at Brownsville Community Center.

Below: Activities throughout the summer at Escambia County's Play, Learn, & Grow Summer Camp

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