The 14th Street Community Center — where the Summer Outreach Camp activities will convene

Portia Williams Daily Times

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PORTIA WILLIAMS

PDT Staff Writer

The Summer Outreach Camp, sponsored by The Counseling Center in Portsmouth, is gearing up for the 22nd Kick-Off event set for Monday, June 4, at the EZ Park in Portsmouth.

“I am looking forward to it, for kids ages 5 through 12. We will have a cookout, a picnic meal for the kids. It’s really a time for the parents to bring their kids and register them, and to let the community know that outreach is gearing up and getting ready to start,” Program Coordinator Clarence Parker said. “The Kick-Off will be held at EZ Park, which is the little park that is owned and operated by Portsmouth Inner City Development, right on the corner of 11th and Waller Street.”

The Kick-Off will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The regular schedule will begin Tuesday, June 5, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the 14th Street Community Center, located at 1222 14th Street in Portsmouth.

“We will provide free breakfast, and a free lunch for the kids, thanks to Community Action, with whom we have had a great working relationship with for a number of years,” Parker said.

Parker said they are trying some new things this year, including basket-weaving.

“We’re going to go down to the local art museum, and they are going to do some art instruction for us, some things that kids ages 5-12 will enjoy. They are going to do some Cirque D’Art training, they will get to tour some art exhibits, and get some information about them, as well as some art projects that we are going to be doing,” said Parker.

He said the Portsmouth Public Library does a reading and arts and crafts project each year for the children.

“Additionally, we are going to be going out to a youth camp out in South Webster this year, and we will go out for a few days, and give the kids an opportunity to see what summer youth camping is like. There is swimming, and ropes courses, and a lot of other things that the kids can do out there. So those are some the highlights, we’ve got a host of other activities planned, such as bowling, and skating, just a variety of things,” Parker said.

Parker said participation in the Outreach Camp is free for the children. The only money needed will be for spending money on field trips.

For more information, call Parker at 740-353-1802.

Portia Williams may be reached at 740 353-3101, ext. 234 or portiawilliams@heartlandpublications.com.