TISHOMINGO, Okla. - More than 40 members of the Sulphur and Tishomingo Chickasaw Nation Boys and Girls Clubs had the opportunity to spend three days in the great outdoors of Camp Bond near Tishomingo, July 7-9.
For many, such as 10-year-old Michael Thompson, it was their first overnight camp. The Tishomingo student said he liked all the fun activities such as paintball and just being with his friends.
When asked what he learned at Boys and Girls Club, he answered, "I learned a little bit of Chickasaw."
For all campers, the camp was a reward for a year of good behavior and a chance to reinforce healthy life lessons, said Oscar Gore, Chickasaw Nation Boys and Girls Club health and fitness specialist.
"These students are being rewarded for good behavior and for participating in many volunteer projects. The camp is also a way to instill healthy habits such as physical fitness and good nutrition."
Students spent three days swimming, playing "human foosball", paintball, tennis, volleyball and making crafts. A Hayride and s’mores around the campfire closed out the last evening of camp.
As 10-year-old twin brothers Dakota and Austin Wyatt tossed a football the first day of camp, they both described how much they enjoy the camp and participating in Boys and Girls Club. Austin said he likes the Boys and Girls Club staff members, who teach him something new when he attends the club after school and during the summer.
The boys have been attending the Sulphur club for more than two years and enjoyed learning Marshal Arts and nutrition.
"I have learned how to eat healthy," said Dakota.
When temperatures inched near the 109-degree mark at camp, campers flocked to the zip line hanging over historic Pennington Creek and plunged into cold water. The zip line was named a favorite activity by most of the 41 campers.
Peyton Szalaj, a six-year member of the Sulphur Boys and Girls Club, said that she loves the friends she has made at the club and has enjoyed the activities.
During the year, members demonstrated a variety of kind acts such as planting flowers at area nursing homes and senior centers.
Peyton learned, "Helping people is good for us."
Thirteen-year-old Lizzy Stewart, Sulphur, took time from volunteering three days a week at an Ardmore Domestic Violence Shelter to attend camp. She was inspired to help from volunteering with the Boys and Girls Club, she said.
For more information about Chickasaw Nation Boys and Girls Club, visit www.chickasaw.net.
