Camp Pee Dee Pride mixes learning with fun

By Jamie Rogers
Morning News Reporter
Published: July 18, 2008

Pee Dee children are enjoying the fundamentals of learning laced with fun this week during the 14th annual Camp Pee Dee Pride at Francis Marion University.

The camp, which is sponsored by the Florence County Sheriff’s Office, is designed to educate children between the ages of 9 and 13 about law enforcement, science and other areas.

The theme of this year’s camp is safety, Florence County Sheriff’s Lt. Wayne Howard said.

Carolinas Hospital System Trauma Coordinator Brenda O’Connell delivered a lecture Wednesday to about 105 participants about what goes on in hospital emergency departments and avoiding the actions that might result in an ER visit.

“I had some gory slides to show them and I talked to them about things we do in the ER,” O’Connell said. “Gunshot wounds, (the results of) riding with no helmet, overdoses.”

Nine-year-old Florence resident Creighton Whatley said he was shocked by some things in the presentation.

“I learned how painful a catheter feels,” he said. “I would never want to get one.”

Despite the medical details, Creighton said he still wants to be a doctor one day.

“I would like to be an orthopedic surgeon. My mom’s a nurse and I’m just interested in it,” he said.

Yu Ito, 12, of Florence said, so far, the camp has been plenty of fun and a welcome break from homework.

“I heard from a friend that the camp is more like playing and having fun,” she said. “I’m looking forward to going to the water park.”

In between a crash course in emergency medicine and a trip to the Florence General Electric Co. plant for a demonstration on fruit DNA extraction is a camp visit to Myrtle Waves, Howard said.

Camp participants also enjoy trips to movie theaters, bowling alleys and baseball games, Howard said. Sheriff’s deputies also educated the camp goers on forensic evidence.

The camp is free to all participants, thanks to donated food and money from many sponsors, he said. The camp is divided into two three-week ses sions and is open to all children, he said.

The sheriff’s office will begin accepting applications for the 2009 camp session in February.