Camp Week Tradition Continues
Emerald Youth Foundation’s camp week, held June 12 through 16, was another hit this year with elementary and middle school children.
The longstanding summer tradition offers young people in Emerald’s JustLead Ministry unique camp experiences in which they otherwise might not be able to participate.
A new experience this year for a group of campers was Open Waters camp, where rowing was introduced.
“Camp week is a tremendous opportunity for our kids,” said Emerald Youth JustLead Director Kent Stanger. “Our goal is to provide a wide range of camps that offer something of interest to the more than 300 young people involved.”
The camp experiences are made possible thanks to the generous support of Variety of Eastern Tennessee, which also hosted the children at Zoo Knoxville to conclude camp week. For many of the campers the zoo visit is their first, where they enjoy the exhibits, ride the carousel, get a special T-shirt and enjoy a catered lunch.
“Our goal is to provide a wide range of camps that offer something of interest to the more than 300 young people involved.”
Several individuals, organizations and businesses offered the different camps, including:
- Stephanie Braeuner - Dance Tonight
- Emerald Youth’s sports staff
- Eppolito Boxing
- Cory Carmichael
- Allen Eubanks - East Tennessee Rowing
- The Gentle Barn
- Audrey Jaeger
- Junior Achievement BizTown
- Knoxville Game Truck
- Little Ponderosa Zoo
- Rocky Love - Love All Tennis
- Gary Milton - Youth Spiritual Outdoor Adventures
- Olivia Olsen - Teacher at Green Magnet
- Premier Athletics North
- Rainforest Adventure
- Shangri-La Therapeutic Academy of Riding
- WBIR
- Sarah Zetterberg
While camp week has ended, Emerald Youth continues its ministry throughout the summer with hundreds of children in Knoxville’s urban neighborhoods.