In one of the most anticipated camps of the year, the Centennial Cultural Center in Olla hosted its annual camp for children with special needs July 9-11.
Held in conjunction with the LaSalle Parish School System and Special Education Supervisor Jenene Bignar, volunteers assisted the attendees with projects over the three-day camp.
“This year’s theme was ‘Planes, Trains and Automobiles’,” said Bignar. “For the first two days, thirteen children, along with a variety of volunteers from the LaSalle Parish School System Special Education Department and community members, participated in an assortment of transportation- themed crafts and games.”
On the final day, Thursday, July 11, the camp was moved from the Centennial Cultural Center in Olla to the Olla Sports Complex beside LaSalle High School. The grand finale transportation project allowed each participant to blast off their own rockets, courtesy of retired educator Prentiss Powell.
Each child was allowed to press the ignition to fire their rockets into the sky and they watched in amazement as it shot high into the air, deployed a parachute and then they had fun trying to catch the rocket as it slowly descended back to earth.
Following their rocket deployment, the campers enjoyed snow cones courtesy of Brain Freeze.
Centennial Cultural Center Director Donna Lindsey and Supervisor Jenene Bignar said the camp would not have been a success had it not been for the many volunteers who took the time to spend their summer days allowing these special youth to experience new and exciting moments.
“We would also like to thank Mr. Powell and Brain Freeze for all they did to make this such an enjoyable camp for the attendees,” Bignar said. “And let me again thank our volunteers. They are the ones that help make this camp so special and their love for our children is phenomenal.”
Lindsey and Bignar noted the camp was a great success and they look forward to improving it each year to provide even more exciting experiences for the young people.
For more information or to assist with future camps, contact Lindsey at the Centennial Cultural Center at (318) 495-7988 or Bignar at the LaSalle Parish School Board Special Education Department at (318) 992-5971.
