Escambia County Wraps Up Another Successful Summer Camp Program

Escambia County recently wrapped up another successful year of the Play, Learn, & Grow Summer Camp, with over 475 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.

"Our summer camp program continues to grow each year, which demonstrates just how important it is to provide quality youth programs like this for families in our community," District 3 Commissioner Lumon May said. "County staff works incredibly hard to create an engaging and fun environment for youth, while also providing educational activities to help prepare them to go back to school in the fall. I'm excited to wrap up another great summer of learning and fun at our community centers, and I look forward to continuing to provide the same engaging environment for local youth through our after school program kicking off later this month."

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 and after school programs as a Division Manager for the Escambia County Neighborhood & Human Services Department, said it has been another exciting year for the Play, Learn, Grow Summer Camp, which is important because it provides a low-cost opportunity for local children to enjoy an engaging and activity-filled summer.

"What an exciting summer it has been as we welcomed nearly 500 local youth to our Escambia County community centers, providing them an opportunity to have a great time with their friends while staying engaged and learning throughout the summer," Williams said. "Our goal is to provide a safe environment for our local youth where they can participate in recreational activities, arts and crafts, games, and STEM programs, preparing them to go back to school while having a fun-filled summer."

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.

Escambia County is also offering after school programs at Brownsville Community Center, Dorrie Miller Community Center, Ebonwood Community Center and Marie K. Young Wedgewood Community Center starting Aug. 17. Registration is open now. For more information, visit the Escambia County website.

District 3 Commissioner Lumon May with Play, Learn, & Grow Summer Camp participants at Brownsville Community Center.

Below: Activities at Escambia County's Play, Learn, & Grow Summer Camp