UWG
News Item
Contact: University Communications & Marketing
Phone (678) 839-6464, FAX (678) 839-6645
ucm@westga.edu
UWG Day Camps
May 24, 2004
CARROLLTON, GA - Do your children know the safe way to approach a large dog? Do they know bike, skateboard, four-wheeler and pedestrian safety laws? They’ll learn this and much more while spending a fun week at one of the Summer Camps at the University of West Georgia.
“Safety
on Our Streets” Camp will be offered June 7-11 for children ages
6-12. Offered through the Department of Continuing Education, this camp
is made possible as one of many activities funded through a grant received
by the University’s Health Services from the Governor’s Office
of Highway Safety.
Campers will enjoy activities surrounding safety issues such as bike safety presented by a member of the City of Carrollton Police bike patrol. The week will feature a variety of guest speakers, and other camp instructors and counselors will be UWG Peer Educators.
According to Jill Hendricks, Health Services patient advocate, Peer Educators are UWG students who are highly trained instructors in a variety of health and safety issues.
A unique feature of the camp will be animal safety. Bo, a German Shepard owned by Jacob and Jared Senfeld, has done programs for area schools that are both entertaining and educational. With Bo’s assistance, his owners demonstrate the intelligence, strength, and the potential dangers of dogs and other animals.
Children are taught the following: never approach an unfamiliar animal; how to always ask permission to pet an animal; how to extend a hand toward an animal; to never run (Bo demonstrates the speed of an animal versus a child); that animals are territorial and protective; how to get help for an injured animal versus trying to touch them alone; to remember that animals can get contagious, dangerous diseases such as rabies; that animals misbehave just as humans do at times. Bo will also do tricks for the children and demonstrate how his superior sense of smell enables him to track and find Jared.
The camp is in session from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. at a cost of $100. Discounts are available for multiple camps and for sibling registrations. Other camps focus on such activities as volleyball, dance, literacy, soccer and a teen camp.
Dora Hayes, coordinator of community programs, points out that the day camps are held during the working hours of parents and the eight different camps provide daily activity for the months of June and July.
“Area school children once again have something special just for them at the University and the funds provided through the University’s grant make this Safety on Our Street camp unique,” Hayes noted.
For camp registration information, contact UWG’s Department of Continuing Education at 770-836-6610.
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