Wlaf1450LAFOLLETTE, TN (SPECIAL TO WLAF) – The Campbell County Children’s Center, CC^2 Summer Camp Program, wrapped up at the end of July with joyful children and happy tears as new friends head back to school across the district. “CC^2 was a blast this year. We served 13 children between the ages of five and 12”, said Britney Barnard, camp coordinator.
The Children’s Center camp was available through an outreach program funded by the Campbell Enhancement Fund of the East Tennessee Foundation. The program targeted at risk youth in the community and was then opened to a few other youth from the community at large. The opportunity to blend the two populations provided additional benefit by enabling the children to make new friends and find both shared experiences and gain new perspectives among their peers. Camp met Monday through Thursday from 8 am-12 pm during June and July. It provided parents and guardians an additional enrichment program for their children during the summer school recess. The broad range of program activities allowed each child to find particular areas of interest as well as to explore new interests and skills. The goal of the program was to encourage creative minds through a daily range of activities divided among social-emotional learning, creative interpretation of demonstrated art projects, exposure to community leaders and community resources.
There was support from local businesses and organizations such as Y-12 members who helped the children make piggy banks and talked about how to save money; LaFollette Fire Department spoke about fire safety; Tennessee Highway Patrol came numerous times with Ollie the Otter from TN Tech, TWRA shared information about all the animals we have living in the “wild” in the local area, Bojangles provided breakfast one day; Cody Mundy with Norris Lake Insurance came and read to the children during a pizza party; Andrea Wilson, a local elementary school teacher, came for a fun science experiment day and Mugs Ice Cream wrapped up the summer showing the kids how to make “Freak Shakes”. “We couldn’t have done it without so many wonderful people and organizations that have a heart for the children in our community. Thank you everyone”, commented Britney.
The Campbell County Children’s Center was founded in 2001 to provide a safe haven for sexually and physically abused children. Instead of being interviewed countless times at different locations, a child can tell their story to one caring and specially trained professional in a child-friendly environment where the child knows he or she will be safe. The Children’s Center serves Campbell, Claiborne and Union Counties. For more information visit the Children’s Center website at www.campbellcountychildrenscenter.org or Facebook @CampbellCountyChildrensCenter. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 08/20/2021-6AM)