Escambia County Wraps Up Another Successful Summer Camp Program

Published Jul 15, 2025

Escambia County recently wrapped up another successful year of the Play, Learn, & Grow Summer Camp, with over 400 local youth participating in this fun, educational and recreational program over the summer.

This year’s seven-week summer camp was hosted at four Escambia County community centers, offering a variety of activities including recreational games and sports, arts and crafts, educational instruction, and more. The Play, Learn, & Grow Summer Camp also partners with Feeding the Gulf Coast to provide youth with breakfast, lunch and a snack during camp.

District 3 Commissioner Lumon May, county staff, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, and other community partners joined summer campers for "Fun Day" hosted by Feeding the Gulf Coast on Tuesday, July 15 at the Marie K. Young/Wedgewood Community Center, with fun activities, games, and more throughout the day.

"I was excited to see participation in this year's summer camp program more than double from last year, which is a testament to the need for programs like this that keep youth in our community engaged and learning all summer long," District 3 Commissioner Lumon May said. "We strive to keep our summer camps filled with activities that not only provide a fun environment for youth, but also stimulate their minds and keep them learning while they're out of school. Programs like this are vital for so many families in District 3 and Escambia County, and it is so rewarding to wrap up another great summer of learning and fun for young people in our community."

Escambia County hosts the Play, Learn, & Grow Summer Camp each year for youth ages 5-13, offering the program at four community centers this year: Brownsville Community Center, Ebonwood Community Center, Lexington Terrace Community Center and Marie K. Young/Wedgewood Community Center.

Leroy Williams, who manages the summer camp program as a Division Manager for the Escambia County Neighborhood & Human Services Department, said it has been another exciting year for the program, which is important because it provides a low-cost opportunity for local children to enjoy an engaging and activity-filled summer.

"Our main objective is to make sure that our youth are having a great summer through Play, Learn and Grow, where they can have fun but also have an opportunity to learn," Williams said. "We do a lot of STEM programs and activities to keep them learning, and a lot of academics. We want them to have a full summer, and we do it in a fun way, but the end goal is just to prepare them to go back to school."

Community center staff, with assistance from interns participating in the Escambia County Summer Youth Employment Program, facilitated a variety of activities to keep summer camp participants engaged throughout the day, working with them on school subjects including math, English and science in addition to playing games and recreational sports.

"It's been another fantastic summer at our Escambia County community centers," Williams said. "It is so rewarding to see these kids having fun in such a positive environment, and it is always a joy to be able to facilitate this program for our local youth."

The last day of the summer camp program is Thursday, July 17.

Escambia County is also offering after school programs at Brownsville Community Center, Ebonwood Community Center and Marie K. Young Wedgewood Community Center starting Aug. 13. Registration is open now. For more information, please contact Leroy Williams at 850-426-1156 or [email protected].

Commissioner May and Summer Camp Participants
District 3 Commissioner Lumon May joins students for the end of summer camp celebration Tuesday, July 15 at the Marie K. Young/Wedgewood Community Center