By JOYANNA LOVE/ Senior Staff Writer

Kids Who Care Summer Camp is coming to Chilton County through a partnership of the YMCA of Chilton County, Clanton Housing Authority and Aletheia House.

Aletheia House has held the Kids Who Care Summer Camp for 20 years, but this is the first time the opportunity has been offered in Chilton County.

“The curriculum is aimed at teaching young people healthful ways to live, with a goal of reducing future drug use or violence,” Natalie Weech, Aletheia House Community Wellness Coordinator, said. “The camp will include positive activities and games that focus on teaching them to care about their country, their community and themselves in an age-appropriate way.”

Sports, crafts and other fun activities will also be included.

YMCA director Lori Patterson discovered the Kids Who Care camp while researching funding opportunities for youth programming.

“We started communicating about the Kids Who Care camps and the possibility of doing that here,” Patterson said.

The camp is designed for ages 6 to 12.

“We utilize positive action curriculum, which is age-appropriate,” Weech said.

Weech said the fun activities will re-enforce “having fun and healthy choice decision making.”

“Ultimately, our goal is to equip children with leadership skills, so they can be the change agents in their communities, and impact positive change,” Weech said.

Aletheia House provides prevention programs, treatment and veterans services.

The camp is free, and registration can be completed at the YMCA.

Camp will be offered from July 9 to July 27 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Activities will start at the Housing Authority conference room, then go to the YMCA.

The Chilton County camp is one of 16 Kids Who Care camps that are being offered this summer. Amanda Franks, Aletheia House prevention specialist, said the camps have been held throughout Central Alabama.

The YMCA of Chilton County is located at 405 Ollie Ave. in Clanton.

For more information about Aletheia House, visit specialkindofcaring.org

Weech said the program is funded through the Department of Mental Health.