Summer camp will miss founder this year

For the first time in its 13-year history, Grovetown Against Drugs Summer Day Camp will have to forge on without its founder, Marjorie Adams.

"It is going to be a challenge without Mrs. Margie," said Grovetown Department of Public Safety Chief A.L. Robinson said. The department has taken over more of the camp operations each year, he said. "She wanted to let us do it last year, but we talked her into being there with us every year."

Adams died Feb. 12 from complications of a December stroke. She served on Grovetown City Council for 14 years and was a school mentor and a D.A.R.E. program volunteer.

Adams' camp will continue June 12-16, organized by Robinson's department. The free camp is held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Goodale Park on Wrightsboro Road.

The activity-filled camp is open to ages 7-12.

"There's so much stuff for them to do," Robinson said.

Campers will get to play activities such as softball, basketball, soccer and horseshoes while younger campers play at the park and do arts and crafts.

Each day's highlight comes at 2 p.m., as a fire truck rolls in to spray cool water for the campers to play in.

"They love that," Robinson said. "They can't wait for that."

Robinson said the camp gives children an opportunity to be active instead of spending their summer talking on the phone, watching television or playing video games.

"It gives us time to mentor some of the kids," Robinson said. An average of 40-45 children attend the camp each year. "It gives us an opportunity to let them know, 'Hey, we are the good guys.'"

Volunteers from Fort Gordon's Air Force unit and Youth Challenge Academy, Columbia County employees, Columbia County Sheriff's Office Explorer Scouts, Grovetown city workers and residents helping the department volunteers will be staffing the camp this year, Robinson said. Meals and activities are provided.

Applications, which will be accepted through the last day of camp, are available at Grovetown City Hall and Grovetown Department of Public Safety on Robinson Avenue.

After camp begins, applications will be available at the camp.

Robinson said children can be dropped off at the park as early as 8:15 a.m. For more information, call the department at (706) 863-1212.