TOF summer camp schedule released

Summer camp season is right around the corner, and the Willie Davis, Jr. Recreation Center and the Town of Farmerville have expanded the number and variety of camps available to parish children.
Recreation center Director Mindy Barrelle discussed the expanded program Tuesday during a check presentation ceremony in which the Union Arts Council presented her with a $500 donation to support the summer camp program.
“Donations like this are how we are able to offer such a wide variety of camps while keeping the camp fees affordable so any child can afford to participate,” Barrelle said. “We’re expanding our program because it is so popular, because we see the need, and because we have the support of community groups like the Arts Council that appreciate what this means to our youth.”
The fee for each camp is only $10.
“We appreciate what the Town and the Rec center do for the parish youth, and of course, we love to support programs that encourage young people who are interested in the arts,” Arts Council President Beth Becton said. “We recognize how fortunate we are in our little community to have such a variety of quality camps available.”
The Arts Council’s donation will help offset the cost of the materials needed for the two art camps being offered this year.
“We want to see this program continue and grow,” Becton said. “We know this is money well spent, and we are challenging other organizations and businesses to step up. With the variety of camps being offered, there’s a camp your company or community group can get behind, too.”
Volunteers play a key role as well, Barrelle said.
“That’s something, I think, that is special about our program,” she said. These aren’t strangers running a generic summer camp, but people from the community who volunteer for the art camp or the chef camp or the fishing camp because that’s something they love and enjoy passing on to our kids.”
Retirees make up most of the camp volunteers, Barrelle said, and the interaction between these seniors and the children helps bridge the generation gap.
“The kids get to see our seniors in a new light, as people with valuable skills and experience,” she said. “The seniors, of course, love to share that experience with the kids. It’s brings people together that don’t always interact – senior citizens and young people, and we believe strengthens our community.”
The number of slots available for each camp is limited to 20 participants, except the Explorer Camp, which has 15 available slots in each of the two age groups.
Parents or guardians must register their campers in person at the Willie Davis Jr., Recreation Center, 116 Cox Ferry Road in Farmerville.
The camps being offered include:
Camp Big Fish – June 3-7, 9 am-1 pm, ages 8-12
Held at Lake D’Arbonne State Park in partnership with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries along with local angler volunteers. Concludes with a fishing tournament for campers.
Camp SOUP 1 – June 10-14, 9am-1pm, ages 12-18
A teen acting camp held at the Farmerville Community Center, led by Emily Kelly, in partnership with the Union Parish Library.
Camp SOUP 2 – June 17-21, 9am-1pm, ages 7-11
An elementary acting camp held at the Farmerville Community Center, led by Emily Kelly, in partnership with the Union Parish Library with a finale performance by the campers at the Willie Davis, Jr. Recreation Center.
Camp Color Blast 1 – June 24-27, 9am-2pm, ages 8-12
An art camp held at the Farmerville Community Center in partnership with Real Arts’ Roxanne Santos that concludes with a camper art exhibit.
Junior Explorers – July 8-12, 9am-noon, ages 8-11 and 12-15
A First Responder Camp conducted in partnership with the Farmerville Fire Department and the Union Parish Sheriff’s Office with a graduation ceremony at the end of the week.
Chef Camp 1 – July 15-19, ages 9-12, 9am-2pm
A cooking camp with Marianna Langston held at the Southern University Center in partnership with the LSU Ag Center with a meal for the parents and community at the end of the week.
Chef Camp 2 – July 22-26, ages 9-12, 9am-2pm
An advanced cooking camp for campers who have previously attended a Chef Camp with Marianna Langston held at the Southern University Center in partnership with the LSU Ag Center with a meal for the parents and community at the end of the week.
Camp Color Blast – July 29-Aug. 2, 9am-2pm, ages 13-16
An art camp held at the Farmerville Community Center in partnership with Real Arts’ Roxanne Santos that concludes with a camper art exhibit.