From Lemonade Stand to Bittersweet Goodbyes: Our Last Day of Camp

Thank you to El Agave, Girasole, and Anthony's Pizza for providing weekly lunches, and to Windy Hill Foundation, Marshall United Methodist Church, and Adams Custom Services for transport to the pool twice a week.

On the last day of our Summer Safari camp a feeling of both excitement and sadness filled the air. After eight weeks of adventure, laughter, and life lessons, the camp concluded with a cookout provided by 2Kyles restaurant, viewing a movie of camp memories, running a busy lemonade stand, a yummy visit from the Kona Ice truck, and emotional farewells. The final day celebrated the wonderful memories made over the summer.

Campers eagerly awaiting Kyle's cookout lunch.

The Journey Begins

Strata Infrastructure provided a charter bus to take campers to the National Zoo.

Summer Safari Camp welcomed children from The Plains area , setting the stage for a summer filled with exploration and fun. From day one, the campers were greeted with smiles from our dedicated director, counselors and counselors-in-training and the promise of new adventures. The camp focused on maintaining academic skills while learning about animals and countries, participating in arts and crafts, book club, drama club, photography club, ASL class, walking field trips, a field trip to the National Zoo and twice weekly swimming.

Wakefield School coaches provided sports camp on their The Plains campus, teaching a variety of sports.

Campers said making friends was the best part of camp! Thank you to potter David Newquist for teaching the campers.

A Taste of Summer: The Lemonade Stand

As the final week approached, excitement built around a special event: the lemonade stand. This was more than a simple booth. The campers spent the week designing, constructing and painting the stand. They spent hours brainstorming what flavors to offer and creating colorful signs.

On the day of the stand, the campers were filled with excitement. The lemonade stand was erected on the sidewalk in front of the Community House. The campers enthusiastically served drinks and baked goods to a steady stream of customers. The stand was a success, earning donations to be used for a special service project—more than the counselors had anticipated! It was a genuinely satisfying experience as the campers learned the importance of teamwork and customer service. Their pride in serving their creations was evident in their smiles

The Lemonade Stand was very busy!

Sweet Treats from the Kona Ice Truck

As if the lemonade stand wasn’t already a hit, the arrival of the Kona Ice truck provided another unforgettable treat. With music and a menu full of vibrant flavors, the truck was an instant favorite. The campers lined up to choose their favorite shaved ice, with popular flavors like rainbow and tiger’s blood flying off the menu.

The Kona Ice experience was not just about a sweet treat; it was a chance for campers to reflect on the friendships they had built. While eating their icy treats, the campers and their families shared their happy memories.

Kona Ice chose The Plains Community League's Free Summer Camp program to receive a free visit. The campers and families loved it.

Looking Ahead

Campers participated in so many activities--the most important part of camp was making friends!

Though the campers left the physical space, the experiences and lessons learned will stay with them. The camp highlighted the value of belonging, caring for others, and childhood friendships. There were tears as campers said goodbye, but they talked about coming back next summer for more adventures, friendships, and new memories.