'Kamp for Kids' program being organized for August

Two Havreites are working to create a replacement for a decades-old children's camp that has dwindled into limbo.

Sheila Forshee and Ursula Brese are in the process of organizing "Kamp for Kids," a four-day camp in August.

Forshee said several people had been asking her for several weeks to help create a replacement for the Farmers Union Camp, an annual activity for children in Hill County held for decades, which has been discontinued.

Forshee added that the memories she has from camps she went to as a child helped persuade her.

"It's things that you remember for the rest of your life … ," she said. "It should be part of growing up."

The camp is planned to run from 3 p.m. Aug. 16, through 3 p.m. Aug. 19, at Camp Kiwanis in Beaver Creek Park. Parents or family members are responsible to get the campers to Kiwanis and back once the camp is done, with Brese and Forshee organizing activities — and looking for volunteers to help put them on — to keep the campers busy in between.

Campers will pay a $75 fee for the activities and meals provided at Camp Kiwanis, with Brese and Forshee suggesting children or their families might try to find sponsors in the community if raising the cash would be difficult.

Registrations will be due by Friday, Aug. 3.

Forshee said registration forms will be available at her insurance office, Forshee Agency, in the bottom level of the Atrium Mall, and she and Brese are looking for local groups and businesses that would like to have registrations on-hand for interested people pick up.

The pair also is looking for ideas on what activities should be held, and people who could help supervise those activities.

Brese said traditional activities are planned, including working on crafts and tying knots, hiking and other activities, but suggestions are welcome.

She and Forshee said one they would like to hold, if they could find someone to lead it, is teaching the campers to line dance.

People at least 18 years old who would be willing to volunteer as counselors and supervise the campers and the cabins they will stay in also are being sought.

Brese said a focus of the camp will be teaching responsibility, and tolerance.

One part of the camp will be asking the campers to help with kitchen duties and cleaning up and so on, with rewards given for participation.

Another main part will be teaching the campers to accept each other, Brese said.

Forshee agreed. With all of the media coverage of violence, strife and fighting, the camp could help inspire the campers and perhaps change their way of thinking.

"It's a way to help the kids … realize we are all equal," she said. "We need to learn to accept each other, be there for each other instead of picking on (each other)."

For more information or to offer ideas or help for the camp, people can contact Forshee at 265-4842 or via email at [email protected] or Brese at [email protected].