BLUE FIELD, West Virginia(WVVA) — Children take one last dip in the lake at Pipestem Resort State Park Friday afternoon as they say goodbye to a summer camp experience here.
It's more than a swim, but a celebration of the last day of adventure camp. It is hosted by the Bluefield Parks and Recreation Center. This is one of many summer camps that aim to get kids outside, exercise and expose them to the joys of nature's beauty. This week, children ages 10 to 13 participated in several outdoor activities, including everything from rock climbing to whitewater rafting. While these activities are fun, Justin Hawkins, the center's special events program coordinator, says these activities also serve to help children learn skills.
“You are, for example, you have to help your friends up to the cave and you pass them backpacks.” Hawkins explained. “Even in rafting, you’re in a raft with four of your friends and you’re working as a team, so it’s a lot of team building.”
Hawkins says he enjoys helping kids learn something new. It also provides unique experiences and hopefully sparks an untapped passion to explore and get active.
“Most of them haven’t done whitewater rafting, or wild, wet caves, or rock climbing.” »Hawkins explained. “It just shows them a new activity and a new way to get outside.” To put the phone down and enjoy mother nature.
Although this week's camp activities are over, Hawkins says there are other future activities for the kids to continue the momentum they received at adventure camp.
To see the list of camp activities and when they will take place, you can click here to see the list.
Copyright 2024 WVVA. All rights reserved.
