The Pike County Extension Office and the Boys and Girls Club of Pike and Surrounding Counties will host a Pike County Health and Safety Camp at the Boys and Girls Clubs Witherington Unit on Aug. 2.

Although there is no age limit for the camp, Grant Lyons, Pike County Extension coordinator, said the camp is designed primarily for ages 8 through 14. There is no fee for the camp that will open at 9 a.m. and end at 2:30 p.m. Lunch will be provided. Lyons said the Boys and Girls Club will be closed next week but will open on Tuesday specifically for the Pike County Health and Safety Camp.

“This will be a big event for the week at the Boys and Girls Club and we are hoping to have between 50 and 70 kids participate,” Lyons said. “This will be a fun, educational camp that will raise awareness of several health related topics of value to young people.”

Haynes Ambulance Service and the Troy Fire Department will have their emergency vehicles available for the campers to “inspect.” EMTs and firefighters will talk to the campers about how they help people in times of need.

“Jeanna Barnes, Pike County EMA director, will also be here to talk to the campers about emergency preparedness,” Lyon said. “The kids will learn what to do in different kinds of emergency situation such as the tornadoes that hit Alabama in the spring.”

Dental hygienists will be on hand to show the campers the proper way to care for their teeth and extension agents will talk to the campers about the importance of good eating habits and regular exercise.

“We’ll also talk to the kids about how proper hand washing can prevent the spreading of germs and, therefore, colds, flu and viruses,” Lyons said. “Proper hand washing its not letting water run over your hands.”

There are many household products that are poisonous so poison prevention will be a topic of interest to the campers.

“An extension agent with a background in finance will let the kids know how important it is to save money because living is not free,” Lyons said. “Knowing something about managing money is important even at an early age.”

A highlight of the camp will be the opportunity to put on fatal vision goggles and experience what it’s like to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

“We want to provide this experience so these young people will realize how their mobility is affected when you are drinking alcoholic beverages or doing drugs,” Lyons said. “There’s no better way to bring understand to this than for them to put on fatal vision goggles and try to walk a straight line.”

At the end of the day, each camper will get a bag of goodies to take home and certificate of appreciation.

“Mayor Jimmy Lunsford will present the certificates to the kids to that will be especially special for them,” Lyons said. “We are expecting a good turnout for the Pike County Health and Safety Camp. We are hoping to make it an annual event.

“The partnership with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Pike and Surrounding Counties has been a good one to get the ball rolling.”