Camp Big Fish is expanding its camp from Eastwood Church in Ooltewah to add a satellite Hixson camp at Abba's House this summer. March 24 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. campers in Hixson and Ooltewah can stop by locations in either community to enroll for summer camp.
Camp Big Fish campers play inside an inflatable bounce house at camp.Abba's House will host the Hixson open house registration with inflatable bouncing slides and a live remote from J-103 Radio. Imagination Station playground near Collegedale City Hall will host the Ooltewah registration, where children can play on the playground and listen to music.
"It's a fun day to meet the directors and counselors and other parents," said Camp Big Fish owner Jeremy Deitch. "We want to encourage as many campers to sign up as early as possible, because we need to know how many staff to hire and how many tickets to purchase for field trips. We signed up 120 campers for camp last summer."
The open house events are the last chance to sign up for the half-price registration fee of $25 per camper. It's a 10-week summer day camp, but parents can select which weeks they prefer to send their children.
"We try to keep campers moving," said Deitch. "It's a Christian summer day camp that's well-rounded and packed with fun."
He said campers can go on field trips to the IMAX 3D Movie Theatre, Chattanooga Lookouts games, the Tennessee Aquarium and on bowling excursions. Campers can also play Rolling Video Games for a day on-site. Former and current athletes will serve as guest speakers throughout the summer. Camp counselors incorporate arts and crafts, swimming and basketball each week.
Deitch said "Big Fish" stands for "Believers in God ... Faithful in Serving Him."
Campers should bring their own lunch but a daily snack is provided. Each camp day begins with praise and worship and devotion time followed by singing and skits.
"It's a Christ-like atmosphere," said Deitch. "The experience and education of our counselors far exceeds any other camp."
He said all counselors have collegiate education and enjoy being around children, which makes camp more fun.
Deitch began working in camps while enrolled at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. He has worked with camps in Boston, Mass., in Nevada and in Knoxville. His sister, Hamilton County educator Christy Harrell, serves as the camp's executive director. The two have 22 years combined experience in working at summer camps.