Making a world of difference in Waldo

Lisa Hill’s summer camp in Waldo is not only a place for area children to enjoy arts, crafts and games, they also receive breakfast and lunch Monday through Friday.

Nearly three dozen children and their parents have one Waldo citizen to thank for a summer camp program that wouldn’t be without the forethought of a mother who saw a need.  Lisa Hill, a Waldo parent, started the summer day camp out of compassion for the children in her community.

The idea of a summer camp came two years ago when a neighborhood child asked where her then 10-year-old son Draven was.

“My entire family struggled to send Draven to the Boys and Girls Club,” Hill recalled.

“We were always shuffling back and forth to Gainesville and I knew how hard it was for us, and here was this other little boy that so badly wanted to go to summer camp, but couldn’t.

“That was when I made a commitment to start a summer camp the following year,” said Hill.

Waldo City Manager Kim Worley remembered when Hill approached the Town Council and asked for permission to use the Waldo Community Center to host the camp.

“The Council saw someone who wanted to do some good, and they got behind her and supported it,” said Worley.

In the summer of 2010, Hill started her first summer camp, limiting it to just two weeks.  This year, she jumped in feet first, offering a summer day camp that began June 13 and will end August 8.

Children in the community are welcomed into the program Monday through Friday from 8 p.m. until 5 p.m.  And for families where a dollar is stretched thin, the best part about the camp may be that it’s all free.

Living across the street from the Community Center, Hill doesn’t have far to go.  She arrives each day at 7 a.m. to get breakfast and activities ready for the children.

“Sometimes the children will arrive at 7:30 and I have to tell them, ‘no, I have 30 more minutes,’” Hill joked.

Throughout the day, youngsters at the camp move from arts and crafts to board games, dominos and outside to the playground beside the Community Center.  They play soccer, volleyball, kickball and basketball.

Thanks to the recent purchase of a water slide by the City, the children get a break from the scorching heat each Tuesday and Thursday afternoon.

“They absolutely love spending the afternoon playing on the slide and cooling off,” said Hill.

Jayne Davis, who lives and works in Waldo, takes time out of her schedule to volunteer at the camp.

“This is a safe place, where the children are protected and have things to do,” said Davis.

While Hill is the leader behind the camp, she said it wouldn’t be possible without the support of other volunteers and donations from the community.  The camp continues to need additional volunteers, Hill said, encouraging folks around the community to pitch in.  They also need donations of craft supplies, games or anything else that might help with activities for the children.

Among her army of helpers are three seniors, one parent and two college students.

“I come here and help out because everyday, I get at least one parent that says ‘thank you,’ and that’s how I know we’re appreciated,” said Davis.

Thelma Bay, also a volunteer, is a longtime Waldo resident and described by Worley as a “child advocate.”

Bay became involved in the summer camp upon the request of Hill, who knew of her volunteer work in local schools.

Mary Ann Rich, another of Hill’s volunteers, helps each afternoon with cleaning up.

“It’s really nice of [Hill] to step forward and offer this camp because a lot of parents can’t afford to pay for a place to send their children,” said Rich.

Noting Hill’s arguably massive undertaking of a nearly two-month summer camp, Rich said, “She’s very brave.”

Although there are a few other summer programs in Waldo, none of them are free.  The need for the summer camp seems apparent given the success of the program led by Hill.

Worley praised Hill’s leadership saying, “This shows how one person can make a difference.”