Children between the ages of 7 to 9 started a fun-filled week of learning, arts and crafts and field trips as part of the Picayune Police Department’s annual Summer Camp.
This is the 14th year the department has held the camp, which provides young kids with fun things to do during the summer, while also allowing them to building long-term relationships with law enforcement.
Capt. Theresa Milar said the kids have a lot of activities ahead of them. Monday morning began with an introduction by Chief Bryan Dawsey. During the introduction the children were instructed of the camp rules and they also learned why they should avoid bullying and the importance of making good choices in life.
Later they played a real life version of the classic board game Hungry, Hungry Hippos.
In the afternoon it was arts and crafts time, where the children got to paint cardboard pictures and utilize their handprints to add an extra personal touch. The girls used their handprint to make a tutu on their picture of a leotard, while the boys used their handprint to add spikes to their picture of a dinosaur.
Tuesday the children will be heading to the Institute for Marine Mammal Studies in Gulfport. Milar said the field trip will give the children a chance to see dolphins and other marine wildlife during the day-long trip.
On Wednesday the children will get to see a movie at Acadiana Cinemas in Picayune. Later that afternoon a representative with Home Depot will provide a building and painting demonstration.
And on Thursday the children will engage in some friendly competition as they head to Pine Tree Lanes in Picayune before hearing a presentation on the dangers of tobacco use.
That same afternoon the Pearl River County Sheriff Department’s K-9 unit will give the children a demonstration.
The week wraps up with a celebration at Jack Read Park that will include water slides and lunch.
In two weeks the camp for children between the ages of 10 to 12 will take place.
Milar said the children will also be working to collect donations from community members who made pledges to the Bowl-a-Thon fundraiser held in May. The fundraiser is working to install benches at Picayune’s splash pad so parents have a place to sit while their children cool off in Friendship Park’s newest amenity. Donations for the benches will be accepted until June 20.