St. James’ Episcopal Church has wrapped up a four day-long day camp for Stewpot Ministries.

The community building series hosted rising 6th and 7th graders at the church’s campus to teach about nutrition, fitness, positive self-image and service to community. The students learned about bee keeping, made vision boards and participated in exercises that covered pressing issues currently in the news.

On Thursday, as campers gathered for their final day over a shared meal, Dr. Cindy Ayers-Elliott of Foot Print Farms and Dr. Bob Evans of the MSU Experiment station in Crystal Springs readied wooden boxes, constructed by camp volunteers, to give students a “take-home” planter.

Ayers Elliot, in her trademark pearls and pink cowboy hat, spoke to campers on the importance of self-worth and the value in participating in building a positive Jackson. She said, “We are teaching them about farming, but the effects are far reaching, citywide.”

Camp volunteer Lisa Boone said this is the first year the church has held the four day-long camp. “It’s an enrichment camp, a different kind of week, where our kids have learned things they may not learn at home, in their schools or in their communities.”

The camp was coordinated and planned by Fondrenite and student, McLean Boone.