For three days last week, several students participated in the 2025 Special Summer Camp in Olla. The camp’s theme was “Gardening” and culminated with a field trip to the park in Urania. Shown in top photo is Lee Roark putting a worm into his collection container held by Maddie Hudnall; (at right) Dezi Emfinger proudly shows her insects as she sits with her mother, Brittany Emfinger; and (below) Blakelee McCarter enjoys being pushed in the swing by Heather Whatley.
Bugging Out With Insects
It was three days of fun and excitement for nine K-2nd grade children who took part in the 2025 Special Summer Camp in Olla last week where the theme this year was “Gardening.”
Each year, the Centennial Cultural Center and the LaSalle Parish Special Education Department of the parish school system team up to provide a unique summer camp experience for interested special needs students.
Held at the Centennial Cultural Center in Olla, each day allowed the students to participate in various activities, including arts, crafts and sensory activities related to gardening.
The students painted and assembled wind chimes, planted seeds, made paper flowers, created nature canvases using leaves and spray paint and much more.
The camp was held Tuesday through Thursday, June 3-5, and on Thursday, the group traveled to the Potty Tannehill Memorial Park in Urania were playing on the playground equipment was just part of the fun.
An outdoor scavenger hunt was organized for camp participants, including digging for worms and finding other insects, and they also enjoyed snow cones donated by Brain Freeze Sno Cones of Olla.
“A huge thank you to Donna Lindsey and the Olla Centennial Cultural Center for once again being such gracious hosts,” stated LPSB Special Education Supervisor Jenene Bignar. “Your continued support and partnership means so much to our department and the families we serve.”
“I also want to thank our dedicated special education staff who volunteered their time and energy to make this camp so meaningful,” she continued. “Their dedication and heart are what make events like this possible.”
For more information about the Special Education Department, visit www.lasallepsb.com.
