Video: Camp Rising Sun Hosts Children Fighting Cancer in Lowndes

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LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – From fishing to jet skiing and rock wall climbing, Camp Rising Sun brings the outdoor experience to a special group of children.

“We are in our 27th year now. It’s completely funded by donations. Everything, the kids do not pay a penny,” says Board President Elizabeth Yates.

Camp Rising Sun brings summer fun to local children fighting cancer. For one week at Camp Pratt, they leave their worries behind to simply be kids.

“We get to go to the lake, we get to go fishing, we get to go do archery and riflry,” says 11-year-old Camper Ethan Menne.

The camp is held for children ages six to 16. Lane Myers came to Camp Rising Sun when he was just 10-years-old and now he’s a camp counselor.

“I think being able to get a way from the hospital and get away from home and come out and spend a week with kids that are like you. Just having fun the whole week and not have to worry about your illness or what you can and can’t do,” says Myers.

Camp Rising Sun was started by the Columbus Junior Auxiliary. Yates says with the community’s help, they’ll continue to serve the children.

“We want people to know that without their help and without their donations, this would not be possible. We would not be able to do this every year,” says Yates.

The children also give back while they’re at camp. With the help of J. Broussard’s Restaurant, they bake dog treats to donate to the Lowndes County Humane Society.

MSU athletes also visited Camp Pratt on Wednesday to spend time with the children. About 40 children attended camp this year.