Video: Crawford Hosts “Feed and Read” Summer Camp Program

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CRAWFORD, Miss. (WCBI) – School’s out and Summer is officially here. Keeping kids busy is a big task for parents. Now, a local organization is hosting a unique summer camp in Lowndes County. Valerie Johnson is the Site Supervisor for this year’s Summer Feed and Read program in Crawford.

“The goal of the program is to develop men and women, to develop the children into men and women who will help restore and rebuild our communities,” says Johnson.

The 9-week summer camp serves free breakfast and lunch to over 60 children each day.

“The first component of our program is the feed program, which is an open site program that is free to children up to age 18. Any children can come from the Golden Triangle Area,” says Johnson.

To help enhance learning skills, parents can also register their children for educational projects.

“The reading component of the program has a science component and it also has a mathematics component where the children do hands-on activities,” says Johnson.

The program is hosted by the Charity Village Community Development Corporation and funded by the state’s Child Nutrition Department. Volunteers help to supervise the sports and camp activities.

“Everyday I come and help out the little kids and clean up behind them. Teach them basic things like Bible stories, stuff like that,” says Volunteer Candace Bolden.

Crawford is a small town with few summer activities for kids. Residents travel over 20 miles to the nearest grocery store. This Summer Read and Feed program can fill a big void in the community and make a positive impact in young lives.

The camp is Monday through Friday from 8a to 5p and ends August 8th. For more information about the Feed and Read Program, Program Sponsor Robert Howze at 662-272-9000 or rhowze@initv.org.