Many summer camps focus on swimming and games, but one youth group in Riverton puts community service front and center. The Youth Service Summer Program sends children into local neighborhoods each week to pick up litter and clear debris.
“Keep your neighborhood clean. Take care of where you live. Do you all understand?” said program founder Marcus Lee as he spoke to a dozen campers.
Lee’s message pushes campers to stay motivated while learning responsibility, respect, and good manners. Children aged 5 to 17 join the cleanup effort every week to tackle Riverton’s trash problem.
“I like doing this because it helps the neighborhood and keeps it clean,” said Maya Jackson, a student at Lincoln Middle School.
Maya is in her third summer with the camp. She said the program shows her how litter affects the environment now and in the years ahead.
“If you leave it dirty, it stays dirty, and if you don’t keep the water clean, you can’t use it—it gets brown and gross,” said Maya.
Camp newcomer Jordan Mitchell, who also attends Lincoln Middle, said she joined because she wanted to make a difference.
“When I see all the trash, it looks bad, and I want to clean it up,” said Jordan. “It makes me feel good to do something that helps the environment.”
The group recently returned from a field trip to Baton Rouge. In Riverton, they have visited local museums, the city courthouse, council chambers, and recreation centers.
Each week, campers work through the heat to give back to their city. The Youth Service Summer Program offers these free camps through community donations.
“After all their hard work, we’re rewarding these kids with a special trip to Washington, D.C.,” said Lee. “We’re taking 38 children, and we’re fundraising right now.”
The camp’s Washington trip is planned for July 18 through July 24.
