Michele Marr
It's official. It's summer. School's out. Kids of all ages are giddy
with freedom. If they know what their parents know about just how long a
summer can be, it doesn't show. But as days become weeks and the weeks
drag on, the whiny voice of boredom will inevitably rise above their
laughter and shouts.
And that has a lot to do with why Drew Lockerbie, the administrative
pastor of Central Baptist Church, founded the church's Summer in the Son
camp 16 years ago.
"It provides a safe, fun and loving environment for kids instead of
them having to be at home all summer," he said.
This year the camp opened on June 17. Three days later 215 children
were enrolled and Lockerbie, based on past years' experiences. The number
is expected to climb to more than 300.
The camp is designed to be practical for families. From now through
Aug. 31, the camp is open Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
It provides grade appropriate programs for children in kindergarten
through eighth grade. Parents can enroll their children for any number of
days they wish.
Children can attend camp and still be with their families for vacation
or other family events.
The camp also aims to be affordable. The fee for two days of camp for
one child is $75. For five days the fee is $105. The fees include the
costs of all on-campus activities, arts and crafts, field trips and most
lunches.
"The program is a ministry. We don't go in the red, but we also don't
make money from it," Lockerbie said.
The program also leaves no time for boredom. Every Tuesday and
Thursday the campers are bused to off-campus parks or beaches that
include Wild Rivers, Newport Dunes, Universal Studios, Knotts Berry Farm,
Disneyland, the Long Beach Aquarium and many more popular local
attractions. Each Wednesday the kids are bused to a local pool for
swimming.
Lunches are provided for all on-campus days. Every Monday lunch is
brought in from McDonalds. On Friday the campers eat pizza. Sack lunches
are provided for nearly all off-campus outings.
Parents are asked to provide lunch money only on days when the
children visit one of several theme parks, such as Disneyland, Sea World
or Knott's, that doesn't allow lunches to be brought in. Then lunch fees
range from $5 to $8.
"We get so much positive feedback from parents about the costs of the
camp being so all-inclusive. We don't nickel and dime them for the field
trips, bus fare or swimming," said Lockerbie.
Another policy, popular with parents, is that the church pays for
