MEMPHIS, Tenn. —
A Memphis law enforcement nonprofit is gearing up to host an affordable, interactive summer camp to keep young kids busy this summer.
The Memphis Shelby Police Activities League, or PAL, mentors kids and works to prevent juvenile crime year-round. The nonprofit's founding executive director, retired police officer Craig Littles, said their work is even more important in the summer though.
"When kids have nothing to do, they find negative things to be a part of," Littles said. "Growing up, my role models were dope dealers and gang bangers. And I try to change that trajectory for kids."
That's why Memphis Shelby PAL is hosting Camp Courageous. It’s a six-week camp for boys and girls ages five to 12. The kids will get a chance to participate in various sports, STEM activities, field trips and more.
"Different people coming in to speak to the kids, intervention services, mentoring programs, educational assistance and so many other things," Littles said. "If parents want their kids around a fun, safe environment and people, camp courageous with Memphis Shelby PAL, MBI-PAL is it."
Although the camp isn't free, keeping it low-cost was a top priority for Memphis-Shelby PAL.
"We know nowadays everything is going up, prices of food — prices of events, prices of transportation and trips," Littles said. "So we wanted to make our prices affordable for kids and parents so they can have an option."
The camp can accept about 200 kids from anywhere in the Mid-South. Each camper will get breakfast, lunch and a snack every day.
Camp Courageous officially starts June 3, 2024, but Littles said they can start taking campers as early as next week as schools start to let out for the summer.
It costs $25 a week with a one-time $50 registration fee.