One hundred local at-risk youngsters will have an opportunity to get outdoors and experience Mother Nature this summer at the Barry County Youth Camp thanks to the donations and contributions made by the community.

This year’s camp is scheduled for May 30-June 3 at Camp Smokey at Roaring River State Park.

Youth Camp Board Chair Jane James said the camp is provided free of charge to 100 local youngsters ages 7-10.

“We do this at no cost to the kids, and it’s all funded by donations from local churches and individuals,” she said. “We try to do this for kids who might not be able to get this kind of experience on their own.”

The camp provides nutritious meals throughout its duration, and includes traditional camp activities like arts and crafts, swimming and stories around the campfire, capping off with a carnival each year.

James said camp organizers reach out to area elementary schools and churches seeking recommendations on which kids should be invited to the camp.

“Some individuals one to us too, but most of our kids come from the Barry County and Monett schools,” she said.

To get the camp going each year, the camp organizational committee relies on community support.

“The area has been so good to help us, we have a dedicated group who work on the committee and I can’t talk enough about the dedication people have had for this camp, donating money and time to support these kid,” James said.

She also said the camp lost many of its supplies in a fire several years ago. While the community stepped up to help replenish those losses, she said the camp has been running for more than 50 years, and the materials and supplies it had accumulated over the years have been hard to replace.

The camp committee will meet in mid March to evaluate its current status with materials, and may again call to the community to help meet the needs of the students this year.

James also said the camp is always looking for volunteers to help cater to the kids at the annual camp.

“Counselors must be at least 16 years old, but we are always looking for volunteers during the day to assist with the camp,” James said. “There are a multitude of us there, washing dishes and doing everything that needs to be done. So if someone wants to volunteer, we’d love to put you to work.”

Anyone who would like to volunteer or support the Barry County Youth Camp is invited to contact James at 417-235-9946 or PO Box 254, Monett, MO 65708.