May 6 run/walk to benefit Camp Barnes Summer Program

A run/walk through the Assawoman Wildlife Refuge is planned for May 6, with proceeds to benefit the Camp Barnes Summer Program. The summer camp is an overnight residential camp run by the Delaware State Police and is open to children between the ages of 10 and 13 at no cost to the camper or their family. Camp Barnes accommodates 60 campers per week for six weeks. The camp is in session from early July through August, and all children are eligible to attend regardless of family income.

The May 6 event will include a 10K, 5K and 1-mile walk, all starting at 1 p.m. A Kids Fun Run is set to begin at 12:45 p.m. inside the Camp Barnes facility. The event will take place rain or shine.

Participants can pre-register for the 10K, 5K and 1-mile walk events through April 27 for $20 per person, or for $25 per person if registering between April 28 and race day. Pre-registered participants will receive a long-sleeved T-shirt, as well as lunch and water stops, and are eligible for awards, which will be presented to Overall and Master’s champions, as well as, the top three male and female finishers in nine age groups.

Entry in the Kids Fun Run for children 12 or younger is free, though donations will be accepted. Fun Run participants will not receive a shirt but will receive lunch, water stops and participation awards.

Register online at www.seashorestriders.com or register by mail by downloading the application from the Web site at www.campbarnes.net.

Lunch is also available for non-participants, for $5 for adults or $3 for children 12 or younger.

In 1947, the Delaware Association of Chiefs’ of Police, an organization composed of active law enforcement and correctional officers, accepted the challenge to undertake a project to combat juvenile delinquency in the First State. A committee was appointed to investigate the problems confronting youth. The committee’s resulting recommendations led to the establishment of Camp Barnes for the recreation of deserving youth from throughout the state.

Camp Barnes, located on Miller’s Creek, a tributary of Little Assawoman Bay, has since served the needs of thousands of children from throughout Delaware. Camp Barnes was originally designed to provide the children who were unable to attend summer camp an opportunity to experience life at a summer youth camp. Camp Barnes has remained basically unchanged, providing Delaware children with these outdoor experiences for more than 60 years.

One of the aspects of Camp Barnes summer camp is the use of adventure-based outdoor learning experiences. Camp Barnes has on its grounds an extensive outdoor initiative course with 17 different initiative and team-building elements.

Some of the activities campers participate in throughout the week include swimming in an Olympic-size pool, kayaking in Miller’s Creek, arts and crafts, nature walks and talent shows. Campers also participate in a scaled-down version of the Olympics and State Police demonstrations by the K-9 unit.

Camp Barnes has a staff of 12 counselors, two cooks, a kitchen assistant and a nurse. Counselors are required to submit to a criminal background check, as well as an interview. There is also a state trooper on grounds at all times when the camp is in session.