AND WHAT A GREAT TIME EVERYONE HAD!!!!
THURSDAY, AUGUST 14TH WAS CARNIVAL DAY
AND EVERYONE (INCLUDING STAFF MEMBERS)
HAD A FUN DAY! REPORT ON THAT LATER.
2008
Summer Day Camp is over and we thought you might enjoy seeing some of the projects in which the campers participated and knowing something about the visitors to the camp. I was told that the campers had a great summer and a lot of fun, while learning about many new things.
The camp averaged about 60 campers a day, with about fifteen campers in the four-five-year-old group, 20 to 25 campers in the six-eight-year-old group and about twenty campers in the nine-and-up group. Ms. Kristi Johnson and Ms. Jackie York are the director and assistant director of the state-licensed daycamp. We wish to extend our thanks also to Mr. Bobby, Ms. Andi Holeman, Ms. Kelsea Bruce, Ms. Gabby Cuellar, Ms. Lisa Edwards, Ms. DeAnna Johnson and Ms. Amanda Whatley. The campers had a really great summer thanks to these hard-working Huff 'n Puff staff members.
Daily activities included the gymnastics classes and outdoor play at the nearby park or outside Huff 'n Puff (when weather permitted.) Some of the weekly activities for the campers including the Friday swimming and pizza fun at a nearby pool and the library visits for the older and middle- age groups. The youngest campers had their Monday water-play days. Other weekly activities included participating in dance and cheerleading classes as well as occasional skating for the six-to-eight and nine-and-above campers. A big highlight of the week was the weekly visit of the ice cream man.
Weekly themes were observed by each age group, which made for a lot of fun for the campers. The different rooms were decorated with the artwork and projects of the campers. The walls of Ms. Andi's dance room for the older campers were completely covered with the colorful artwork from all their weekly themes. The themes were: All About Me; Fun in the Sun; Animal Week; Holiday Week; Fairy Tale Week; Western Week; End of Summer Fun; and Pirate Days (two weeks of Pirate Days.)
Many outside speakers and guests visited the daycamp. We thank the following for taking time out of their busy schedules to visit with the campers.
The Jacksonville Fire Department brought a fire truck and ambulance for the kids to tour and they talked to the kids about fire safety.
The Jacksonville Police Department came to the camp twice. The first time they brought dogs and explained to the campers how the dogs could be of such great assistance to the policemen. They talked to the campers about stranger danger on their second visit.
The Little Rock Zoo came twice to the camp also. The first time they talked to the campers about the animals they had brought with them - rabbit for the kids to pet, a snake and a vulture. On their second trip, the last week of camp, they brought the Feathered Friends.
The Museum of Discovery came to the camp five times. One week they brought a hedgehog and another week they brought a dove. Another week they brought spiders and cockroaches. This last week of camp, they brought a frog.
One of the most fun visits for the campers was when Chase Eubanks from Eubanks Canterbury Veterinary Clinic came to Huff 'n Puff. He brought with him two-day old baby chicks, his dog Noodle, and horse that the kids got to ride. We sincerely appreciate his taking time out of his busy day for this special treat for the kids.
The Feathered Friends from the Zoo visited on Wednesday of the last week of camp and brought along a ferret, a parrot, a red-eyed hawk and a Mississippi Kite, so called because it spreads its wings and flies like a kite. The older two groups also went skating and visited the library. The Ice Cream man came on Thursday and the campers enjoyed their last day of swimming and pizza on Friday.
Each day, the younger age children had naptime, as required by DHS; the older children had a rest period each day in which they were able to watch a video. After their busy day, the campers were usually ready for their rest period. Note: Unlike some daycares and camps, the campers did not spend their day watching videos all day long.
This poster and the poster advertising the daycamp (above) were made by Ms. Andi.
Rest Period - and Video Time
Sand Box - Playing Indoors
Playtoys lined up in front of the mirror in the Cheer Gym
Just a few of the videos and book and puzzles that were used by the children.
This is the Theater that can be used by the children for play and for hand puppets, etc. It provides a lot of fun for the campers. It was made last year by a daycamp staff member and her husband, as was the sandbox.
Jack and the Beanstalk - another project of the campers and staff members.
Some of Ms. Andi's Monkeys. The craft glass that holds the campers' craft work are shown in the window. Artwork and craft projects can be seen on the wall inside of the dance room.
More colorful artwork by Ms. Andi's campers
Ms. Andi with her project-making supplies. Campers beg to come back to her camp each year!!!
She is in charge of the older campers.
Part of the Wanted Posters that the Campers made for Western Week. I was told that they had a great time making their own wanted poster.
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Indian Beads as part of craft project for Western Week.
These were called God's Eyes during the Sixties - Ms. Andi has an Indian name for them but I didn't get the names. They are also known as "Ojo de Dios.
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Alex is shown here with a "Prairie Doll" made by the campers as part of their education about the "West"
Ms. Andi and the campers helped decorate this dragon cake that they made as part
as part of the Fairy Tale Week
John is shown here with this neat castle!
More Artwork
Another cake was made and decorated for Pirate Week! The campers had so much fun with Pirate Week that it lasted for two weeks.
Each year the daycamp seems to be even more successful than the year before, and from all reports, this one was the best so far. The staff and campers are looking forward to next year's camp.