State Troopers visit summer campers at Marion Elementary

State Troopers visit summer campers at Marion Elementary

YMCA program offers plenty for out- ofschool kids to do

news@theeveningtimes.com

Summer YMCA campers heard from the Arkansas State Police on Tuesday. 72 kids signed up for day camp held at Marion Elementary School. About 50 kids were on hand for the big time show and tell from Arkansas’ finest. Penny candy for good questions and answers kept the kids lively with positive interaction.

“You are going to hear how they serve and protect you,” said YMCA camp director Amanda Johnson.

Ever wonder about the silver whistle and buttons on the uniform shirt?

“The whistles work but aren’t used for directing traffic, they have become a traditional part of the uniform,” said Trooper Payton. Some serious topics like the importance of seat belts and car seat safety were stressed too.

YMCA camp director Amanda Johnson provided an overview for the first ever YMCA summer camp in Marion. Campers work on two STEM projects (science, technology, engineering, and math) per week and that is their morning activity. The afternoon brings, a daily Bible study and a daily life lesson.

“They learn things like respect, manners, obedience and we do those everyday.

We teach Spanish twice a week,” said Johnson.

What would summer camp be with without some sightseeing?

“We take weekly field trips,” said Johnson.

“We’ve been to Cedar Hill Farms in Hernando. We learned to paint and express our inner artistry at Pinot’s Palette last week. This week we go to see Cars 3, so it’s all about Pixar. Upcoming we have the Children’s Museum and the Pink Palace and a lot of other fun plans.”

Pixar represents one of ten different theme weeks on the summer menu. Other weeks focus on friends and family, wild things, fun and fitness, space, wind and sea. Y summer programs aim at social-emotional, cognitive and physical development by building positive character values, skill development and friendship in a fun and healthy atmosphere.

Starting at back to school time the YMCA will be on three Marion School campuses for before and after school programs.

“We currently have Y-care sites here and we’ll have before-care and after-care when school starts,” said Johnson. “We have Y-care at Avondale, Marion Elementary and Marion Intermediate. Students work on STEM projects.”

Game stations are provided but might not be what youngsters are used to.

“We have game stations set up, not the video ones, but board games we don’t do electronics at all, they get enough of that on their own time,” said Johnson.

“We are old school.”

The YMCA summer camp was originally announced through the Marion School District. Summer camp enrollment is open through the YMCA and costs $75 per week. Those interested in enrolling may go to ymcamemphis. org and check out summer camps or before or after school under the programs tab.

By John Rech