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Day 5

Today we played baseball in the gym with Mr. Sean and learned that its his favorite sport. The Campers enjoyed hitting the ball "out of the park" by hitting the ball beyond our noodle boundaries. Miss Darlene surprised the kids with a super cool craft today. She had plain white tee shirts for all of the children to paint and draw on. Many of the kids got Counselors and other Campers to sign their tee shirts, too. Look for these to come home in a day or two.

Upstairs in the Com room, they had game time. Many got to play some of our board games for the very first time. They played everything from Monopoly to Uno. Those that didn't want to sit and play had a chance to play Wii Sports for some active fun. They were all disappointed it seemed when they realized that the wrong game had been put in our Just Dance 2 case.

During lunch the theme seemed to be Challenge. The Pirates vs. Cowboys competition was in full swing today if the number of lunch challenges was any indication. We had arm wrestling matches and spelling bees. Mr. Sean will not tell which team is up in points but he did mention that there is only a two point difference. The kids are enthusiastic about being the final winners in the challenge.

~Your friendly camp co-organizer, Miss Suzanne

 

Day 4

The Campers had the opportunity to meet Park & Rec's very own Melinda Dunn today. Melinda is the Director at the Old State Bank and a Decatur historian. She brought lots of old timey activities for the kids to participate in and crafts, as well. They got to write with a quill on an old bank note and paint their choice of wooden toys. After all of that they went downstairs to the gym and played versions of all types of games that children played back in the 1800s. The campers seemed to be very enthusiastic about what they learned and soaked up lots of information, too.

After lunch, the Counselors set up the gym in a Carnival style environment. The Campers had the opportunity to play bean bag toss, spin the wheel, duck pond, fishing, can toss, ring toss, and all sorts of other games. The kids were given candy and small novelty toys as prizes. They also won colored tickets that counted as points for their Pirate or Cowboy team. Everyone got into the competition and had tons of fun in the process.

At the end of the day, the Cowboys had collected and won more tickets than the Pirates. We even had a Hula Hoop challenge and a dance off. Everyone's trying to win more points for the team so they can win the mystery prize at the end of camp. We're all looking forward to a fun packed week at camp next week.

~Your friendly camp co-organizer, Miss Suzanne

 

Day 3

Ms. Julianne Lowman, our Parks & Recreation marketing director, started the day off with us by teaching the kids how to make their very own Hawaiian lei and giving the girls flowers to put in their hair. Afterwards, the entire camp went into the gym and learned how to Hula! Everyone learned that the dance was full of its own sign language and actually tells a story if you learn what to watch for. The kids were all smiling and having a blast while they pretended to "fish", "throw their net" & "eat" all to the tribal beats of the islands.

After lunch, the kids broke off into their groups and went back to the normal camp fun for the day. Mr. Sean taught the kids how to play dodgeball in the gym. Mr. Matthew held contests of all sorts during his time. The kids enjoyed spelling contests and fingerpainting with Miss Darlene in the craft room. It was a very eventful day filled with lots of activities and good times for all.

~Your friendly camp co-organizer, Miss Suzanne

 

Day 2

The day started off with the kids meeting Matt Hardaway, the Parks & Recreation Lego instructor. They enjoyed playing games and building their very own creations. Afterwards, there was fun in the gym with Mr. Sean playing kickball. They got the opportunity to play Camper Fued (our version of Family Fued) with Mr. Matthew. The competition was fierce and they had tons of fun answering the questions.

The Camp competition between the Pirates and the Cowboys is getting lots of attention. In the spirit of the games, they ran relay races to win points for their teams and got a kick out of cheering their teammates on to a win. The hit of the day was when the Staff introduced the kids to skits. A skit is like a small play. The Counselors showed the kids how it was done with a few fun skits before letting the kids try it on their own.

All three of the age groups were able to show off their acting skills. Everyone got standing ovations and cheers went all the way around the Com room after each skit. It was lots of fun for everyone involved. The best part of all the skits was when was one of the campers got to put a pie in the face of one of the junior counselors. Lots of fun was had today!

~Your friendly camp co-organizer, Miss Suzanne

 

Day 1

Today was the first day of our August session of Kids Camp. We had so many new faces join us this time and many familiar faces from the last one. It was a fantastic day to see kids and counselors alike that had not seen each other in a month. It was also good to see all the smiles and hugs that were traded first thing this morning.

The kids got talk to Mr. Ball, our Astronomer friend from the last camp. Since just last night the rover Curiosity landed on Mars, he talked to the kids a lot about the Red Planet. The kids learned a lot from the talk. Of course still their very favorite thing is to play Stump the Scientist. They had a whole new round of questions for him. He had as much fun as the kids did.

From there, the kids played a round of games with Mr. Matthew in the Com Room, soccer in the gym with Mr. Sean and drew self-portraits with Miss Darlene in the craft room. We ran relays in the gym as a group and scored points for the Cowboys vs. Pirates contest. Ask your kids which team they are on. The kids also made banners for their teams and put them up in the gym, as well.

All in all it was a fantastic first day for our August session! We're all looking forward to the guests that will be joining us this week and for all the fun stuff that's been planned for the Campers. Keep coming back and checking our blog and picture albums for more info on what the Campers are up to each day.

~Your friendly camp co-organizer, Miss Suzanne

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June 2012

Day 12

 

Today started with the Decatur Fire Department coming to talk to the kids about fire and severe weather safety. They brought the simulator trailer so that they could get an idea of what it was like to be in both of those situations. The kids got a real kick out of it all. They also had the opportunity to learn all the different parts of one of the big ladder trucks. The kids were so excited to be able sit inside the big truck and pretend to drive and even getting to turn the sirens on and off.

After lunch, the Counselors surprised the kids by having an ice cream sundae party for everyone. The kids loved having their group leaders and the other staff making the sundaes for them. They ran pizza box relays and racing relays. They played old fashion games like Simon Says, Rumor and Quiet Mouse. They had lots of free play time in the gym, boards games in the Craft room and Wii time in the Com. room.

We handed out giant soccer water bottles and several of the kids had the idea to let the other Campers and the staff both sign the bottles. We thought this was a fantastic way to show us that they really had enjoyed themselves during the last three weeks. There were lots of pictures taken, hugs given and phone numbers traded within the staff members.

The last three weeks have been so exciting! It was so good in fact that we've decided to give it another two week run from August 6th - 9th and August 13th - 16th. It will be $15 per week and the kids will be doing a lot more of the same stuff but with new twists. We hope to see all the kids from the last three weeks return to us again and maybe bring their friends this next time around.

~Your Friendly Camp Co-organizer, Miss Suzanne

 

 

 

 

Day 11

 

Everyone's favorite day is here again! Water Fun Day at Delano. The kids teamed up against each other and ran relay races, egg carrying races and even ran through an obstacle course. It was so hot that we couldn't even think of doing anything else until we all go wet! So the counselors let the kids loose for a water war with water guns and buckets. Mr. Matthew, Red team's leader, was the focus for several of the Campers as he had drenched most everyone at the last Water Fun Day.

Blue team got the opportunity to head to the Splash Pad today. They had tons of fun pulling counselors and staff both into the streaming jets. It was tons of fun for all involved and even better that everyone was getting the chance to cool down from the hot sun. Afterwards, the kids got to play a water version of duck, duck, goose that they all got a kick out of and then it was time to eat. We had hamburgers under the shade of one of the pavilions at Delano Park before heading back to Fort Decatur.

Once back in the building, the Campers changed and headed to the Com room for some quiet time, a popsicle and a movie. Everyone was worn out from the fun filled day. There was nothing but smiles as the Campers went home this afternoon.

~Your Friendly Camp Co-organizer, Miss Suzanne

 

 

 

 

Day 10

The kids got to see Matthew Hardaway and his Legos for the last time today. They played a variety of games with him and got to build their own stuff, too. The kids seemed to always be excited on Lego day at camp. They also got the chance to see Miss Della one more time for a fruity treat with pineapples. They got the last lessons in the Nutrition class and hopefully will go home with the desire to eat better snacks. Maybe they'll even be able to show their families some of the neat treats they learned to make over the last three weeks.

The rest of the day was filled with dodgeball in the gym, more Zumba and limbo in the Com. room, and some free time in the craft room to create what ever they felt like creating. The spirit contest is in high demand at the moment, as the winning team has been promised sundaes made by the counselors. Everyone is giving their all and showing their best which several parents have seen for themselves at the end of the day. Red team ended the day with another win and have given the others a real challenge.

 

 

 

 

Day 9

Camp today was full of music and fun. The kids played baseball in the gym, made door hangers in crafts and practiced their spirit chants in the Com. room. The older kids joined in on a class that was taught by the Love for Life program. Our Camp Counselors got in on the lessons as well. They seemed to have learned a lot and really came out of the class with a lot of information that they didn't have previously.

The afternoon was taken over by the NCC Dance Crew. They Campers were slow to get involved in all the hype that the dance crew brought with them but they all eventually joined in on the fun. The NCC crew performed dances and chants that had lessons behind them for the kids. They even put on a great skit about "not judging a book by its cover". The kids warmed up to the crew during the skit by laughing and playing along where they were asked to do so. They even had everyone out on the floor for a giant game of Simon Says.

At the end of the afternoon, the NCC Dance Crew stuck around and played a great basketball game with all of the kids and staff. They even stayed to help judge the spirit contest at the end of the day, of which the Yellow team was knocked off its winning streak by the Blue team. All in all it was a good day for the entire camp.

~Your Friendly Camp Co-organizer, Miss Suzanne

  

 

Day 8

Loren Ball, a local astronomer, came in to talk to the Campers today. He taught them all about asteroids and the sun. Everyone walked away learning something new from the talk. He even passed around a chunck of a meteorite for the kids to feel and smell. It was pretty awesome to be able say they've held something that came from outer space. He ended the talk by giving the kids an opportunity to try to "stump the scientist".

Mr. Sean revisited Kickball with the kids in the gym. It appears to be one of the most favored sports so far that they've gotten to play. Miss Darlene let the kids pick their craft for the day and they should be bringing those home next week sometime. Miss Shamque got the kids moving to some Zumba sounds in the Com. Room. All in all it was a great day for the Campers and Staff, alike. We're all going to get some rest this weekend and come back Monday for our last week of camp with renewed enthusiasm.

~Your Friendly Camp Co-organizer, Miss Suzanne 

 

Day 7

Today was the day that everyone had been waiting on. Water Fun Day!! The Campers and Staff came prepared with their sunscreen and their waterguns for a fun filled day at Delano Park. The Decatur Police Department made sure that we all got across to the park safely but after that...there was no place to hide from the water. It was all about having fun and enjoying the games that Miss Darlene had set up for the day.

The day started with a couple of relay races to set the mood. After some friendly competition, the water war was on between the Campers and the Staff. Water barrels were set up all over the field so that everyone could fill up as they needed to do so. There were also water balloons placed in a few random spots around the area. Some of the younger Campers enjoyed the slip and slide that was set up, too. It seemed that the kids were determined to get all the adults drenched. Several of us were doused with 5 gallon buckets of water over the head. It was by far the most fun we'd had during Camp so far.

Towards the end of our time, the Yellow team got to enjoy some time at the Splash Pad. The random squirting jets from the ground kept the little ones moving and laughing the entire time. Before we were ready to leave, most of the kids were already starting to wear down and get tired. The Police Department came back and helped us back across the street and to Fort Decatur, where the kids got changed and headed to lunch.

Our day here at camp ended with movie time, where more than a few of the kids laid down for a nap. Even the Staff was pleasantly worn out from such an active day. Be sure to check out the photo albums so that you can see all of the photos that were taken during the day.

~Your Friendly Camp Co-organizer, Miss Suzanne

 

Day 6 

Miss Melissa from the Decatur Public Library came today to entertain the kids. The Yellow team got to listen to wonderful stories and even got a great puppet show. The Blue and Yellow team got to talk about a few books and made a craft to inspire them to reach for the stars and dream big. Miss Melissa was fantastic with our Campers and we're very thankful that she came to talk to them. 

Mr. Sean set up a volleyball goal and taught the kids the very basics of the game. It was lots of fun since they got to use an oversized volleyball. The kids seemed to enjoy learning about the game and getting the chance to play with the big ball. The craft room was full of board games, card games and markers today. The kids also got to spend time with Matthew Hardaway and his legos. I think this is becoming a quick favorite among all the age groups. They look forward to the days that he gets to come to visit and play. Miss Shamque took her Com room class to another level today and introduced the kids to Zumba. Shehad them all dancing and moving to the latin beats of the dancercise class. It was probably the highlight of the day after hearing everyone talk about it after leaving her class. 

The day ended in relay races and games in the gym where everyone got to get involved and win sweet treats from Miss Darlene's infamous brown bag. The only thing everyone could talk about by the end of the day was how excited they are about tomorrow. It'll be Water Fun Day at Delano Park. Don't forget to bring your towel, water gun, change of clothes & sunscreen and put your name on everything. Its going to be a total blast tomorrow in the park!! 

~Your Friendly Camp Co-organizer, Miss Suzanne

   

Day 5

 Today was the beginning of the second week of camp. The kids started their day with Miss Darla learning about healthy foods and good nutrition. They made their own pita bread sandwiches and had a really good time. In the gym with Mr. Sean, each group got the chance to play dodgeball. The favored game was win the staff joined in and played against the kids. Who doesn't like to hit their teachers with a little squishy ball? Miss Darlene helped the kids finish up their bird cages. Parents should have gotten to see those go home after camp. The kids did such a wonderful job on the projects.

We found ourselves with some free time where we played a game of Gotcha; the line was 15-20 people long. It seems to be an easy favorite of most of our Campers and staff alike. Jump ropes, hula hoops, oversized volleyballs, inflatable bowling pins and wiffle ball were just some of the games that got played in the gym. The big event of the day was the Spirit contest that we have at the end of every day. The kids seem to have really gotten into the idea of winning the coveted Spirit Stick each day. They work on their chants and cheers at every opportunity they can find. At the end of the day the Yellow team was holding the title for the first time. Congrats go to the 5-7 year olds for finally winning a day.

~Your Friendly Camp Co-organizer, Miss Suzanne 

 

Day 4

Today the Campers spent their time in the gym playing Wiffle ball with Mr. Sean and playing with the parachutes. The Yellow team got the chance to meet the Fort's Octopus and toss it around like a volleyball. Be sure to ask them to tell you all about the giant purple creature. They had a hula hoop contest and a jump rope contest with Miss Shamque in the Com. Room. Everyone, staff included, got involved in those contests. The Yellow and Blue teams got to make an eagle out of toilet paper rolls with Miss Darlene. They were very creative with their designs.

The big event for the day was when our special guests came from the Alabama Wildlife Center. They drove all the way from Pelham, AL just to share their knowledge of certain birds of prey. They even brought several of their "feathered teachers" along with them. The kids oo-ed and ahh-ed over each of the magnificent creatures as the Wildlife ladies brought them around to show off. The kids got involved and asked questions about each of the birds and really learned a lot. Everyone was sad when it was time for them to go. There are several pictures of these birds up in the Day 4 album.

Thursdays is pizza day at Camp and all the Campers filled their bellies with cheese, pepperoni or sausage pizza along with the standard chips, fruit and cookie. Afterwards, they got to spend some free play time in the gym and play with their favorite Camp Staff members. Our first full week of camp is completed and its safe to say that everyone involved has had a blast. So rest up this weekend, Campers, cause next week we've got more special guests and even more fun to be had!

~Your Friendly Camp Co-organizer, Miss Suzanne

  

Day 3

The Campers started their day off with a little free play time in the gym before heading to the Com. Room to meet Miss Sandy from the Decatur Public Library. She read a fairy tale to the kids that was set in Africa. Afterward they learned about the different animals, tribes and how the people of Africa live day to day. The kids all enjoyed the lesson and ended it by coloring their own African tribe masks which they were able to bring home at the end of the day. We're thankful that Sandy came to show the kids the worlds that can be found inside a book.

Fort Decatur was also visited by Lynn Johnson from Decatur Animal Services. She had a four legged friend with her named Tinkerbell, too. She taught the kids all about taking care of pets and how DAS was there to help pets and not harm them. They went outside to her truck and she taught them all about how the animals were caught safely. They learned that the animals taken to the shelter weren't harmed by the dog catchers and how the truck was nothing to be afraid of when they saw it out on the streets. It seemed though that Tinkerbell stole the show for many of the kids.

The day continued on with basketball lessons in the Gym. There was a great game of Gotcha with the Red Team and Mr. Sean. Miss Shamque played Freeze Dance with the kids in the Com. Room as well as giving them a little time to play Dodgeball. In the Craft Room with Miss Darlene, the Blue Team continued to work on their bird cages. The Red Team however worked on making an eagle. Hopefully, it got the kids excited and ready for the special guest on Thursday. We're sure excited about them!

~Your Friendly Camp Co-Organizer, Miss Suzanne

  

Day 1 & 2

The first two days of camp proved to be tons of fun for the Fort Decatur Campers as well as the Camp Staff. The Campers were separated by age and asked to come up with a team name and a team chant. The kids were super creative in coming up with ideas. The 5-7 year olds are the Yellow Snake Dragons; the 8-10 year olds are the Blue Martians; the 11-14 year olds are RT4L (Red Team for Life). At the end of each day, the kids get together in the gym and compete to see who is the loudest, the most creative and has the best chants. The Staff will be keeping up with the team that has the most wins and at the end of the camp they will receive an ice cream sundae party.

The Campers met Matthew Hardaway on Day 2 and learned all about the Park & Recreation Lego/Robotics Program. The kids showed how creative they were by building cars, skyscrapers and all sorts of other things. They also had an opportunity to learn about healthy nutrition from Della Taylor who works with Community Extensions. She taught them how to make a healthy salsa snack and the kids all loved it.  

It seems the first two days of camp have been a success! Take some time to look through the pictures on the website and see for yourself all the smiling faces that can be found at the Fort Decatur Kids Day Camp.

~Your Friendly Camp Co-organizer, Miss Suzanne