— Ten kids surrounded a lunch table wrapping water squirters, fairy wings and other toys in scraps of red and green Christmas paper. Volleyballs and basketballs whizzing past their heads did not distract them from their crafty task.

The table was covered with about 35 presents that the kids from the Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club Day Camp had bought to give to one another.

The exchange was inspired by the Christmas in July theme for the week-long learning activities about the continent Antarctica.  

“We decided to do Christmas in July because of the cold temperatures in Antarctica right now,” said Jay Spalding, head of the Salvation Army.

See a video of Salvation Army campers singing Christmas carols in July here.

In addition to the exchange, the kids created a Christmas tree made of hand cut-outs, played reindeer games and watched movies such as “Polar Express.”  

The kids have spent a week learning about each of the seven continents. Some of the activities included making crafts — Italian curly mustaches and Chinese lanterns — going on field trips and playing games of the some countries on the continent.

The summer day camp is a child care program that the Salvation Army has done for seven years and provides kids fun activities to do instead of sitting at home.

“If they are not here, where else would they be,” Spalding said. “They would be sitting at home watching TV or maybe taking care of their siblings.”

Though the summer day camp ends Aug. 6, kids can attend the after-school program the Salvation Army hosts.  

The day camp and the after-school program are a couple of the projects that the Salvation Army does for the Muskogee community.  

The Salvation Army also provides a 5:30 p.m. nightly dinner, a food pantry and offers vouchers for clothing and furniture.

“The Salvation Army gets some of its funds from grants but mostly it comes from private donors,” Spalding said.

The Salvation Army depends on volunteers to help keep programs going.  

“Because the Salvation Army has been around since 1865, many of the strong supporters are from an older generation,” said Jamie Spalding, Salvation Army church pastor.

The Salvation Army is hoping to attract volunteers and board members from a younger generation to keep the programs alive in Muskogee.

If you go



WHAT: Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club Day Camp

WHEN: 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m. through Aug. 6.

WHERE:  Salvation Army Church, 700 Independence Ave.

COST: $50 per week.

INFORMATION: 683-7764.

 

Reach KaeAn Russell at 684-2920 krussell@muskogeephoenix.com.