By Mary Stewart | The Selma Times-Journal

The Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail is gearing up to begin their Junior Ranger Summer Camps.

The first camp, set for Saturday, will be themed “travel in time with a park ranger” camp.

Park Ranger Theresa Hall said she is excited to offer these camps to children in Selma and surrounding counties.

“I’m excited about giving the kids something to do, where they will learn a little bit, but they will have fun at the same time,” Hall said.

During the first camp, children will learn games that were played by children during the 1950s and 60s.

“When I was growing up, and back in the 50s and 60s, we didn’t have all the electronics and all that,” Hall said. “Especially here in Selma, they were kids, but they were out marching and protesting, going to the mass meetings, but in their spare time they played games that weren’t electronic games. We are going to help teach the kids how to learn some of those games.”

She will be teaching the children hopscotch, marbles, and jacks, among games.

The camp will run from 10 to noon Saturday, July 8 at the Selma Interpretive Center.

Hall believes it’s important to give youth fun and educational activities in the summer.

“I think it’s important for kids to get up away from the TV and the video games,” she said. “It’s something fun to do in the summer time, and there’s not a lot of activities here in Selma to do. So hopefully, it will give them something else to do, give them another option.”

“Travel in time with a park ranger” is one of four camps that will be offered this summer. Others include: “arts and crafts on the trail” at the Marion-Perry County Public Library on Thursday, July 13, “freedom songs of the movement” at the Lowndes County Interpretive Center on Saturday July 22, and “voter registration workshop” and Junior Ranger Ceremony at the Lowndes County Interpretive Center on Saturday July 29. All camps are free of charge.

Camps are designed for children five to 14 years of age, and a parent or guardian must remain with children for the entire camp session.

The space in each camp is limited to 30 children, and it will operate on a first come, first serve basis.

Children will be allowed to register on the day of the camp if spots are available, or they can call the Selma Interpretive Center to register.

“The goal going into the camp is just to try and reach children in the area,” Hall said.

For more in for or to register call the Interpretive Center at (334) 872-0509.