ELBERTA — Elberta Town Park will be a bevy of activity this summer, thanks to the launch of the first ever Elberta Community Kids Summer Day Camp.

“It’s our first annual camp,” the Rev. Mike Keech of Miflin Baptist Church said in an interview.

The fun actually begins next weekend.

“June 1st is our kick-off, from 10 (a.m.) to 1 (p.m.),” Keech said, “with registration, free food and free fun.”

Then the free camp will be held at that same time Monday through Friday from June 3-July 26.

“Lunch and snack will be provided to every child under the age of 18 every day at noon,” Keech said, explaining that the meals will be sacked-lunches.

The camp will include a variety of activities, as well.

“There will be a Bible story every day, life skills and somebody from the community speaking about what they do and character building” Keech said. “We’ll also have crafts and sports.”

Both registration and camp will go on, rain or shine.

In addition, organizers have limited the number of participants for the inaugural camp to 300 slots. To make it all possible for such a crowd, Keech estimates that 25 volunteers will be needed each day.

“We are still looking for people to help us,” he said.

Keech added that the cost of operating the camp is approximately $4,000.

“We’ve gotten about $2,000,” he said.

Just Tuesday evening, Elbertsa VFW Ladies Auxiliary 5658 contributed $500 to the endeavor. Additional community members making donations include Dean’s Transmission, Wolf-Bayview Funeral Home in Elberta, Absolute Storage, Daybreak United Methodist Church and Community Gathering.

Keech explained that the idea for the camp came about two short months ago.

“Three of us were wondering what we could do for our community,” he said.

From there, plans began to form, funding was gathered and such area organizations as YMCA in Foley pitched in to make the camp a reality.

“Now, we’re all working together to bring this Kids Camp,” Keech said. “We’re excited about the opportunity we have to serve our community.”

He highlighted the contributions of the town of Elberta.

“Without their support, we could not have done this,” the pastor said, “and also the Elberta Police Department for all their hard work.”

To donate: Mail checks to Miflin Baptist Church, with For Kids Camp in memo line to Miflin Baptist Church, P.O. Box 426, Elberta, AL 3653 or go to Regions Bank in Elberta and ask for Kids Camp.

To volunteer, call Keech at 251-987-5112.