Saturday, May 19, 2001

The Natchez Democrat

Registration for the Natchez Recreation Department’s Daycamp

will begin on May 28, according to the program’s director.

Wilbert Whitley said the camp, which will begin on June 4 and

run through July 31, will give children &uot;something to do

this summer,&uot; and keep them &uot;from getting into trouble.&uot;

&uot;Our goal is to find as many young people as we can and

get them involved in the program,&uot; he said of the 10-year-old

program.

He noted the program averages 150 children each summer and

recruits children from &uot;all over the place.&uot;

Among the activities offered, Whitley said, are bowling, basketball,

baseball, softball and arts and crafts.

&uot;Each year we work on a special project,&uot; he said.

&uot;All the kids take part in it.&uot;

Last year, Whitley said, daycampers put together a quilt and

presented it to the Natchez Board of Aldermen, along with a song

written by the program’s members.

&uot;The song was a big hit,&uot; he said. &uot;It was great.

&uot;We’ve got a big suprise for them this year,&uot; he

continued. &uot;But I can’t let the cat out of the bag.&uot;

Whitley said the new attraction this year, however, is the

department’s &uot;sprayground,&uot; a water system connected

to motion detectors that spray water into the air almost constantly.

&uot;That’s been a big hit at the youth center,&uot; he said.

&uot;

He noted the youth center is on Triumph Lane near Natchez Middle

School.

&uot;We’re encouraging all the children in the area to come

out and participate,&uot; he said. &uot;We just want to give

them something to do and keep them out of trouble.&uot;

Anyone wanting more information, Whitley said, can contact

the rec department at 445-4927.