HANNIBAL (WGEM) – A Northeast Missouri summer camp that engages youth with community volunteering and career exploration is wrapping up its first session with the girls, and bringing on the boys starting Monday.
It was a busy two weeks with the Douglass Community Services’ Kids in Motion first session of the summer.
“We went to the Humane Society,” said an excited Addison Poppe. “We got to pet cats and dogs — they even had a rat there!”
“We also helped out with gardening,” said Aliya Brown. “And we planted some green beans.”
Poppe and Brown just finished their Kids in Motion session. Every day is a new learning opportunity for the campers, whether it’s exploring a career or volunteering in their community.
Lilly Marshall said her favorite activity at camp was volunteering at the Northeast Missouri Humane Society.
“There was this stray [orange cat] that came up to me and he was sick,” Marshall said. “We had to take him into the Humane Society. And now, he’s looking a lot better.”
Meanwhile, Gemma Yakes said her favorite day was visiting with the local fire and ambulance department.
“It gave me an idea to be a paramedic when I grow older,” Yakes said.
Douglass Community Services Chief Operating Officer Emily Trevathan said Kids in Motion is geared toward children coming out of fourth and fifth grades who can spend those two weeks gaining lifelong skills such as financial readiness and school opportunities.
“They’ve learned about our tourism industry,” Trevathan. “And, these ladies got to meet with about six or seven female entrepreneurs one of the days.”
Trevathan said they also visited Moberly Area Community College to explore a STEM Lab and learn about community college.
Their final day at camp involved giving back to those nonprofits, schools, and other organizations involved with the program by cooking a gourmet meal.
“We made Cordon Bleu with breadcrumbs,” said Tatum Dillon. “[And] Oreo with ice cream and Butterfinger.”
Lamarrah James said giving back to the volunteers even meant learning another useful skill: cooking.
“I learned how to cook chicken breast,” James said. “Cut the slice open, sprinkle some seasoning, and cook it. It’s really good!”
The boys’ two-week-long Kids in Motion program starts on Monday. They will have the same activities and opportunities that the girls’ had.
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