Georgia Battle Summer Camp Director Ella Clarke wanted to have additional staff for her annual camp, but was amazed with the amount of effort the volunteers put into the program this year.
“I wanted men to work with the program and they’ve done an amazing job,” Clarke said. “I expected them to do maybe one or two projects, but it’s not as much about the projects, but their presence here.”
That presence carried into Thursday afternoon’s Georgia Battle Summer Camp Awards Day celebration at Teachers Memorial Gym, where more than 75 children were awarded in the ceremony.
Lenoir County Commissioner Roland Best was in attendance, showing support for his grandson, Jaden. Best has also volunteered with the program for five years.
“I think it’s a great program for the kids and the support from the volunteers made it successful,” Best said.
Clarke, who had more than 85 enrolled — the most she’s had in her 23 years working with Kinston camps — said she was blessed to have older men working with the children in the camp, ranging from ages 5 through 12.
“Most of our men are in their 60s, but they provide that male source with discipline and structure,” Clarke said. “I’m from the old school, so I believe in that. When you’ve got all of these kids, they wonder ‘what are all these old men doing here.’ They don’t ask that question anymore.”
One of the volunteers, John Gray, has worked in 10 camps spanning 27 years. It was his first with Georgia Battle.
“This year has been a bit difficult, but I enjoyed it overall,” Gray said. “You have to love what you do and have patience and willpower with the different mindsets of kids. It’s the price we pay for trying to help them become better people.”
Melvyn Blackwell, who served as an advisor and bus driver during the camp, said he became a volunteer so he could help the children grow.
“I’ve always loved children and I feel like if you can catch them at this young age, you can bend the tree before it gets too sturdy and they’re less likely to listen,” Blackwell said. “I’ve worked with juveniles who were locked up for adult crimes and I don’t want that happening to others.”
The children enjoyed their time during Georgia Battle’s seven-week duration. Tyana Parks, 10, has been going to the camp for five years, but considered this year’s session the best.
“I’ve enjoyed myself more this year because I have more of my friends here,” Parks said.
Christopher Hardy, 12, said he enjoyed some of the field trips to places such as Ft. Bragg, the National Guard Armory and Woodmen Community Center.
“This is the best camp,” Hardy said. “This summer, I also learned more about teamwork.”
Dontrez Styles, 11, spent his summer in camp for the first time, but said he liked the events and how the other kids were friendly to him.
“The camp was really fun and we got to do a lot of things like skating, bowling and basketball,” Styles said. “The other kids made me feel welcome.”
The counselors have enjoyed the children as well. Liz Deal said her group made her a better person.
“I see the way they look up to me and as a result, I try to set a good example,” Deal said. “At the same time, they’ve adapted to our skills and treats. They’re very moldable.”
“It was a wonderful experience working with the younger ones,” counselor Christian Pridgen added. “Some of them haven’t been in school yet, so they developed socially and gained friends. It was truly rewarding.”
Youth Advisor Saint Robinson said the need of a positive image and discipline is necessary at a young age.
“We’ll let the kids be kids, but they also need to be tightened around the corners,” Robinson said. “We’re interesting in all kinds and trying to get the best out of them. We let them know that listening to their elders will carry them a long way in life.”
Junious Smith III can be reached at 252-559-1077 and Junious.Smith@Kinston.com. Follow him on Twitter at @JuniousSmithIII.