OXFORD, Miss. \u2013 Hosea Rockett understands the challenges of growing up in an area with limited resources and even fewer positive role models.
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“It was really rough because there wasn’t much to do,” said the senior University of Mississippi theology and law major from Water Valley. “When children get bored, they tend to get into trouble. Summer programs can help keep kids away from things like shoplifting, drug use and other criminal activity.”<\/p>\n
That is why he and eight other UM students are involved in “Camp Rising Stars,” an eight-week summer program for Water Valley Housing Authority resident children ages 7 to 13. Through funding provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Water Valley Housing Authority contracts with the UM Counseling Center to conduct the camp.<\/p>\n
“Years ago, we began doing a program like this with Ole Miss’s Wellness Center through HUD’s Public Housing Drug Education grant,” said Barron Caulfield, WVHA executive director. “This is a wonderful way to help our children. These are not just a group of time-consuming activities to get them through the summer, but experiences that expose them to greater possibilities than they may usually encounter. We want to make them dream.”<\/p>\n
Each day, the UM group travels to Rockett’s hometown of Water Valley to give the children positive messages and support for their aspirations.<\/p>\n
“So far, there have been over 43 students registered through the Housing Authority to attend the Community Center each day,” said Keysha Thomas, center director. “The students really enjoy being able to experience different activities that are offered through the program.”<\/p>\n
Each week features motivational speakers, field trips and movies focused on that week’s particular theme. For example, during “Rookie of the Year Week” campers met former NFL player Brian Mix, former UM soccer player Amy Gill and former UM women’s basketball player LaKendra Phillips. A counselor also shared stories of athletes \u2013 including Peyton Manning, Jennifer Gillom, Alex Rodriguez, Michael Jordan and Mark McGuire \u2013 who made both poor and wise choices within their careers.<\/p>\n
“The children are encouraged to believe that they can be anything that they want to be,” Thomas said. “It is our hope that this outreach service can provide a powerful impact in their developmental growth, as well as plant seeds for a more promising future.”<\/p>\n
Weekly themes, often derived from popular movies or TV shows, have included “A Bug’s Life,” which involved visiting the UM Field Station; “A Night at the Museum,” with the group touring University Museum; “American Idol,” in which campers visited Sweet Tea recording studios in Oxford; and “The Pursuit of Happiness,” which allowed them to attend a rehearsal of “The King and I” musical at the Gertrude Ford Center for the Performing Arts.<\/p>\n
The students participate in sporting events, learn computer skills and various arts and crafts. These experiences seem to be making a lasting impression.<\/p>\n
“I get to go places and do stuff with my friends, and that is really fun,” said one camper from Water Valley (students’ identities must remain anonymous due to the program’s confidentiality clause). “I like being able to do the arts and crafts, like building birdhouses and learning to crochet.”<\/p>\n
The campers have visited Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, Swayze Field, Tad Smith Coliseum, the Indoor Practice Facility and the Rebel Challenge Course. They also toured the Fiddlin’ Rooster Farm in Water Valley, an Oxford fire station, Lafayette County Courthouse, Avent Park and Oxford City Hall.<\/p>\n
Only the future will reveal the full impact of Camp Rising Stars.<\/p>\n
“It’s fun to be able to come to the Community Center and do fun stuff, because there really is nothing else to do,” another participant said.<\/p>\n
And that’s good enough for Rockett.<\/p>\n
“I’ve already seen a huge improvement in their attitudes toward authority figures, behavior and hygiene,” he said. “If they are having fun as well, that’s just another blessing.”<\/p>\n
Other UM students volunteering in the program are Zaducka Thomas, a graduate counselor education and supervision major from Yazoo City; Earl Presley Jr., a graduate counselor education major from Crenshaw; Grant Apgar, a senior psychology major from Milwaukee; LaKendra Phillips, a senior liberal studies major from Memphis; Kyle Putman, a senior accounting major from Brandon; Leslie Cliburn, a sophomore education major from Southaven; Nadia Kholomeydik, a graduate counselor education and supervision major from Russia; and Rebekah Countryman, a senior psychology major from Rock Hills, S.C.<\/p>\n