photo by Marcus Frazier

Children line the banks of a pond with cane poles.

Children get chance to be kids at local ranch

By Marcus Frazier (Contact) | The Natchez Democrat

Published Wednesday, July 25, 2007

About 16 miles north of Natchez on the boundary of Jefferson County and Adams County lies the Shekiah Ranch. After riding the rocky road to the main house you’ll find acres of land and numerous youngsters, some local, others from as far away as the Gulf Coast, darting to and fro enjoying the summer, all thanks to the coalition of the Mid-South Foundation, the American Red Cross, New Hope Baptist Church, and the World Vision organization.

Through a grant funded by the American Red Cross children get the chance to enjoy activities such as horse back riding, archery, fishing, four-wheeler riding, and even get in a bit of exercise.

For the past two weeks approximately 100 kids ages 4-16 have been forgetting the little worries they may have and get a chance to be … well, kids.

“The camp actually targets kids who’s lives have been touched by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita but there is also has a lot of local kids from the area in the group,” said the Rev. Fredrick Rodgers, one of the camp’s mentors. “Since most of the efforts after the hurricanes focused on adults, this is some thing for the kids.”