The brainchild of community center director Laura Hildreth, the Chester Hynes Summer Enrichment Camp wrapped up Friday afternoon to a standing-room only crowd of approximately 100 as camp attendees proved the cultural value of the event was worth the time and money invested.
The camp strived to provide a productive learning experience through arts, motion, math, language, science, cultural activities and field trips. The grand finale showed those lessons were learned as campers sang, recited poetry, played musical instruments and performed tap and ballroom dance routines, choreographed by the staff at Chester Hynes.
Haley Jackson, a Watson Chapel 10th grader, was one of two campers selected to receive an award, provided and presented by Katrina Hunter.
“It was basically for the person that showed leadership,” Jackson said. “They told me that I showed leadership and that I improved a lot.”
Jackson said she found the program interesting and educational.
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“I learned that leadership is important and that you can help other people by providing for them,” Jackson said. “Everybody doesn’t have what you have. And I learned that helping people gives them a better life. And that gives you a better life by receiving blessings.”
Financial contributions from Pine Bluff Parks and Recreation funded the event while Pine Bluff native and current Los Angeles Angels outfielder Torii Hunter and his wife, Katrina, helped sponsor the program. The 60-70 children ages 4-15 did not disappoint “Team Hunter”.
“I am very impressed,” Katrina Hunter said after the closing ceremony. “That was very good and we will continue to support this program. It is wonderful what they were able to achieve in that amount of time.”
In addition to arts and crafts, campers were taught cultural values that will enhance their lives as they mature, stressing the “Enrichment” title. Hildreth thought outside the box in bringing that cultural experience to Pine Bluff’s youth.
Jerricka Kelly served on staff as program mentor and also presented a poem with her 13-year old daughter, Auvion.
“We have been working on this program since the first week,” Kelly said. “Laura Hildreth put it all together. These are all her coordinated efforts and curriculum. She is touching so many lives.”
Hildreth and the Hynes staff did touch lives during the nine-week program, teaching life skills, orchestrating routines and developing relationships with the community.
“I’m sure the kids feel the same way I do,” Kelly said. “It touched my heart to see these children every day. They showed me so much love. They almost knock you down when you walk in. I just wanted to leave them with the same amount of love they gave me.”
The camp is already in the planning stages for next year with more enrichment programs in the works. Anyone interested in attending the yearly event is urged to contact Chester Hynes Community Center at 870-535-5386.