By Andy Diffenderfer
Correspondent
A summer camp in southwestern Walker County is adding an educational six-day session of Civil War-related activities to its growing range of offerings for kids.
The Civil War camp, which starts in July, should be a unique experience, said director Jennie Chandler, with re-enactors who also are educators discussing soldier attire, civilian clothing, drilling, period music and dance and war artifacts such as tents and weapons.
“We want (campers) to have a complete and accurate understanding of the war, with as much hands-on experience as possible,” Mrs. Chandler said.
The Civil War camp, offered for fourth-graders and up, will be July 18-23.
Camp New Dawn is a small Christian camp begun in 1998 on 40 acres in McLemore Cove, about 20 miles southwest of Chattanooga. The facility offers programs for kids of all ages and provides a true family atmosphere, organizers say.
“We have a combination of things that are somewhat unusual for this area,” said Mrs. Chandler, whose daughter-in-law Carrie Chandler is program director. “Since we are small, the entire staff interacts with every camper at some point.”
“I think it’s small enough that you feel you know everybody,” Carrie Chandler said. “Here, you identify with everybody because it’s small enough to work that way.”
When the camp started, it consisted of one week of soccer day camp, but as space has grown from the original five acres, so has the number of programs and staff.
New Dawn offers games, sports, crafts, music, dance, photography and animal care, among other activities. Included on the grounds are a prayer garden, amphitheater, lake and sleeping cabins with eight bunks each.
In July, activities kick off with a Cove Adventure Camp for grades nine through 12, which includes activities such as whitewater rafting and rappelling.
Jennie Chander’s son Brian, a licensed soccer trainer and a former college player, will lead a soccer camp for first through 12th grades.
Resident camps are available, and day camps, which run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., are available for every program except the Cove Adventure. All camps include worship and Bible lessons led by staff members.
Jennie Chandler grew up in McLemore Cove, attended camp as a youth and developed a desire to have a camp on the family farm. Over the years, she has served as youth director in several churches, taught school and led student tours to historic sites.
“We hope they enjoy themselves and they gain something spiritually, whether it’s an introduction to God or growing in their faith,” Mrs. Chandler said. “We do things that are fun. We keep the children totally busy.”
Andy Diffenderfer is based in LaFayette, Ga. Contact him at andydiff97@comcast.net.
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