Summer Fun at City University Camp
Kids from both Friendship Houses mix learning and fun at facilities around the city.
Take 30 kids, ages 5-15, stir in some volunteers, combine with various Abilene locations, mix with a lot of fun, add a dash of learning, and what do you have?
City University Summer Camp!
Youngsters from the North Park and College Heights Friendship Houses, along with the coordinators and volunteers, participated a week of activities from June 16-20. Each afternoon, the group visited a different city location and learned about various city services and functions. City staffers Joy Hedges and Jayme Johnston coordinated the program, with help from Friendship House Coordinators Danyel Rodgers, Stephanie Fletcher, and Dusty Garison, and several parents and other volunteers. 
On Monday, the kids went to City Hall, where they met in the Council chambers and toured various departments. They were welcomed by City Manager Larry Gilley, and held a mock City Council meeting in the Council Chamber. They also visited the Abilene-Taylor County Health Department and toured the lab and facilities there. Tuesday, they went to the Abilene Zoo for a "behind-the-scenes" look at operations there, including a chance to feed the new baby rhino.
Wednesday found the group at the Law Enforcement Center. They watched a presentation by Abilene SWAT Team, whose members showed their equipment and talked to the kids. They also toured the 9-1-1 Call Center and other police facilities. That day's highlight was a fascinating demonstration by the APD's K-9 unit.
Abilene Fire Station #1 hosted the group on Thursday, where firefighters showed their equipment to the students, including an infrared scanner which can find an injured person in a smoke-filled room, and the "Jaws of Life" rescue tool. The older kids were also allowed to climb into the bucket on the ladder truck, and take a ride up to the end of the ladder.
The week concluded with a visit to Rose Park, where the youngsters visited the skate park and tennis facility, along with the senior citizen center and the adaptive rec facility. But the highlight of that day was definitely the pool! The kids enjoyed cooling off from the hot summer sun and spent the afternoon splashing and swimming.
It was a great week, and we appreciate so much those who worked to make it possible. We especially want to thank:
- Everyone from the city who graciously hosted us at their facilities
- Joy and Jayme for their coordination of each day's events
- The parents and volunteers who helped each day
- Those who provided snacks
- Hardin-Simmons University for transportation assistance
We are grateful your partnership with us and look forward to next year!
I am a graduate of City University program, it is a great program. It is wonderful to see the volunteers and kids learn more about it. The K-9's and the Zoo were one of my favorites!