Read for fun, read to learn.

That's the motto of the Shoot the Hoop Reading Camp, Fairburn's newest

youth summer camp.

It's not your ordinary summer

vacation program, either. It's a blend of activities for the camper's

minds and bodies. Program Director Jesse Hill challenges his kids to improve

both their reading and school work while giving them plenty of time for

recreation. It's all fun, games and learning.

Reading class starts the camper's

day. Students may be assigned to write a composition and learn to present

it to the class properly. Music class is next on deck. Then it's lunch

and out to shoot some hoops. They're not finished yet. There's still a

drama class before heading home. What do the kids think of all this work?

It must be fun. The campers smile through all of it.

Hill has learned by experience

just what it takes to get kids fired up about learning. He has been working

with kids for most of his adult live. He started the Shoot the Hoop program

in Albany while living in the Atlanta area. The camp was a success but

the commute was grueling.

After two summers there, he

wanted to find a spot closer to home to continue his work. He decided

that Fairburn was perfect. "There's a need" says Hill. Fairburn

is growing quickly and there's not much in the area for the kids."

Pastor Aaron Lackey of The

Temple of Prayer offered the church's facilities to help get Hill started.

" We're so happy they're here. We hope they come back next year"

said Lackey. The church is really hopping, too. 51 kindergarten through

5th graders are there every camp day. Hill has a second location, too.

Palmetto Elementary has 30 campers taking advantage of this unique program.

That makes 81 campers in the first year of the program. It's a great start

but Hill is aiming much higher.

" This is our first year

so we have no funds. My goal, though, is 300 kids" he says. We'd

also like to make it a year around program." Will he stop there?

No, he has set even higher goals. He'd like to work with the Hispanic

community and start an English for Adults program. To complete the circle,

he'd like to teach his campers Spanish.

How much does a camp like this

cost? You would think hundreds. Surprisingly, it costs only $20 for a

week of camp. There's a catch, of course. A very important catch to Hill.

All parents must attend a mandatory

workshop at the end of the camp. This is their chance to learn how to

follow through with all their children have learned. It's also a chance

to learn themselves. The workshop teaches communication skills, how to

help their children develop ideas and encourages them to get involved

with their kids reading. Parents may find that learning is fun just as

their children did during their summer camp.

To check for openings or to

register call 770-463-3602.