The YMCA of Selma and Dallas County is preparing to bring in children from Kindergarten through fifth grade this summer for fun, learning and sports.

The annual camps, slated to begin June 4, bring in kids across the community to learn and play together and get to know the Y.

“It’s a great way for us to get our kids in the community involved with the YMCA,” said Chase Morris, associate program director for the YMCA of Selma and Dallas County.

“The summertime is a great [time] for us leading up to our fall sports as well. It’s just a good overall camp for us to get to know different families in the community as well.”

Morris said it’s exciting for him and the employees at the Y to invite the kids in and get to know them and their families.

“I personally love it. That’s one of the reasons that I got involved with the YMCA, is to be able to interact with kids on a daily basis and summertime is our big time for kids,” Morris said. “That’s the fun part for me.”

The camps will vary from week to week, with volleyball, soccer, football and basketball. In the afternoons each week, they will offer an academic portion to help students stay on track and get ahead for the next school year.

The academic portion will be taught by certified teachers and will focus on math and reading comprehension.

“I definitely think it will give them an academic edge going in to the school year,” Morris said.

“If they are constantly getting tutored with math and reading comprehension, I feel like that will better prepare them for the academic season coming up.”

Morris said the camps are great for kids to meet other children from various schools in the community, some they may otherwise not have the opportunity to meet and interact with.

“We encourage all kids from all schools to come and get to know one another and hopefully that will build relationships that will last a lifetime,” Morris said.

The camps are split up into different weeks, as well as the morning portion, sports and academic.

For pricing and more information on the camps, call the YMCA at (334) 874-9622.