Camp gives opportunity for fun, games, learning

  • Published
  • By Carl Bergquist
  • Air University Public Affairs
"It's another great year at Camp Sunshine," Chan Gamble, camp organizer and Boy Scout representative, said on the second day of this year's event. 

He noted between 50 and 70 first-grade through fifth-grade boys participated, and 32 people from Maxwell-Gunter volunteered to be camp counselors. The program ran from July 13 to July 17, and most events were held at the Maxwell base lakes. 

"As always, we have gotten excellent support from base people, and that helps the boys enjoy their week at Maxwell," Mr. Gamble said. 

A collaboration between the Central Alabama Community Foundation; the local area Boy Scouts; and the base, Camp Sunshine allows boys from Montgomery County Public Housing to gather at Maxwell-Gunter and participate in activities ranging from target shooting and archery, to swimming, crafts, bowling and a military working dog demonstration. Each day, the boys were picked up from their housing areas by bus and brought to Maxwell to join in the games, fun and learning. 

Ten-year-old Demarquis Russell, a fourth grader, said this was his second year attending Camp Sunshine, and he "really likes it." 

"I like the sports, like football, the best," he said. "But, I also  look forward to swimming. It's fun to swim, and you get exercise, and the food is good. I like the sandwiches the most." 

Damon Harris, a nine-year-old third grader, said this was his first year at Camp Sunshine, and he too was enjoying the activities. 

"I like playing basketball and getting on the playground with the slides and swings," he said. "The swimming really makes you cool in the hot weather, and the food is great. I want to come back next year if I can." 

Tech. Sgt. Crystal Hagler, who is on loan to the 42nd Air Base Wing from the 42nd Medical Group and is serving as the wing's interim events coordinator, said this was the first time she had been involved in Camp Sunshine, and she was "very impressed" with the program. 

"It was a lot of work coordinating all the events and activities and gathering volunteers and securing the equipment needed for the camp, but it was great," she said. "The look on the faces of these kids when they first got off the bus, how excited and eager they were, well, that made all the work worthwhile." 

Sergeant Hagler said she was "lucky" to receive expert help from her 16-year-old daughter Kaylah who "put her Reserve Officer Training Corps skills to work." She helped keep the boys together in groups and on schedule for each of the events. 

Mr. Gamble said this was the seventh year Camp Sunshine has been held at Maxwell-Gunter, and this year was another 'success story' in the history of the camp. 

"The kids just love coming to Maxwell, and I really can't say enough about the volunteers at the base who help us with the program. They act as mentors and provide the boys with such a positive association with Maxwell people," he said.