Singing songs around a campfire, making homemade S’mores or unrolling a sleeping bag is what camping is all about, but disappointedly, some children may never have that experience.

Thanks to the Salvation Army, 20 local underprivileged children will travel to Lexington, Miss., on June 13 to have the summer camping experience of a lifetime. The week long camp will cost about $195 per child and the Salvation Army desperately needs the support of the community to help make the annual event possible.

“We can only make this possible through donations from the community and one-to-two more gifts can get us over the line at the $700 to $800 range,” said Maj. Eric Roberts. “Most of these children come from a single parent home or a family that’s on or near the poverty line so they can’t afford to do something like this. We’re hoping we can raise the money.”

Roberts said the camp offers cabins, a swimming pool, a rope obstacle course and nice cafeteria for the children. Students will attend two music camps and a character building session sponsored by the Charity League.

“Most children who’ve attended the camp in times past said they had so much fun and wanted to come back,” Roberts said. “Our camp covers the Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana areas. The camp is just a wonderful adventure for them.”

To help in the fundraising efforts, the organization will hold a barbecue plate sale on Fri., June 10 from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. The $6 plate, which includes a sandwich, chips, beans and cake, will help pay each child’s expenses for the camp.

Roberts said the organization is hurting for financial support and he encourages the public to get the word out.

“I’d like the public to get involved with the fundraiser and if not, at least send a check,” Roberts said. “We want to send these kids to camp and they can’t go without our help. We would appreciate any monetary gift.

“And with good community support, we hope next year we can send even more children,” Roberts said.

The public can send their donations to 2104 Franklin St., next to Selma High School’s baseball fields or write checks (write “camp” in memo field) and make them payable to Salvation Army to P.O. Box 1166, Selma, 36702. For more information call 872-1646.