Kids enrolled in city’s summer program enjoy last day

By Tyler Spivey

A cluster of balloons floated gently off in the sky Friday morning at the Troy Recreational Center, the balloon release was part of a cancer survivor memoriam and was just one of the events during the last day of a children’s camp at the center.

Guest speaker Delaney Davenport, a cancer survivor, addressed an audience of youngsters during the morning assembly.

Davenport, now in her teen years, spoke about how she was diagnosed with cancer at the age of seven.

She is now cancer free, but she urged the children never to make fun of anyone struggling with cancer.

“Beauty comes from the inside,” said Vicki Robinson, assistant director of the camp.

Robinson has headed up the camp for the last six weeks, along with Director Sasha Tuck, and said her focus for the children on the last day of camp was to help them realize how special they are through realizing their inner strength and talents.

She said that Friday was a little sad for her and that the children hated to see the camp end.

“It’s been awesome,” she said.

Other than the day’s lesson, there was several other events during the camp.

The children have taken part in academics, pool activities, and physical fitness.

“They like the enrichment,” Robinson said.

The assistant director said that there has been a different theme for each week at the day camp.

The theme this week was “a taste around the world,” which offered the kids an opportunity to try foods from various different countries.

On Friday, the kids sampled foods they are more familiar with that are definitely hits in the United States – hotdogs and hamburgers.

Robinson said she hopes the kids who took part in the summer camp remember a special idea.

“I want the kids to know that you’re always a child at heart,” she said, “Everyday you should have fun.”

Each of the kids had their favorite memory of the camp.

“[I like] enrichment, cause that’s really fun,” said 6-year-old Griffin Earles.

Earles said that enjoyed the camp and that he would “maybe” come back next year.

Brody Wilkes, 7, said that the camp was “a lot better” than regular school.

“My favorite game is dodge ball,” said 7-year-old Skylar Kercher.

The number of kids attending the camp varied each week from 85 to 100 participants, according to Robinson, and the enrollment fee was $40.