LOXLEY, Alabama --- Every summer for the last eight years, Town of Loxley Activities Director Joey Knight has welcomed the pitter patter of little feet at the Loxley Civic Center and Municipal Park.

Beginning shortly after the last day of school, the town of Loxley hosts its annual Summer Youth Program with daily activities and crafts throughout the five-week program.

The program began in a limited capacity in 2004, Knight said, shortly after the longtime Robertsdale High School band director retired and took over as activities director for the town.

The following year, a full four-week camp was started and an additional week was added in subsequent years.

Knight said the camp averages between 45 and 60 boys and girls between the ages of 5 and 14.

“One year we decided to open it up to everybody free of charge and we ended up with over 100 kids,” Knight said, “but that was just too much and we decided to cut back.”

The camp is still accepting late registration at a cost of $125 per child, which includes all art and craft supplies, special events, daily snack and teachers, among other things. Lunch is provided at a cost of $2 per meal or $10 per week.

In addition to Knight, the camp includes four teachers, all of whom have or are currently working toward teaching certification and training. If the camp reaches 75 participants, Knight said, a fifth teacher is added. At 100 participants, a sixth teacher would be added.

“We have yet to reach that 75 mark,” Knight said, adding that, so far, about 50 participants have signed up for this year’s camp.

Debbie Huffer is camp supervisor for this year’s camp.

“We try to keep the camp filled with daily activities to stimulate both the mind and the body,” Huffer said, “and provide nutritious meals every day for the kids.”

In addition to daily arts and crafts activities and exercise activities, the camp will also include special presentations throughout the summer, including visits from the Loxley Volunteer Fire Department and Police Department, and from the Baldwin County Cooperative Extension Service.

The camp also includes outings such as free movie days at The Rave Motion Picture theater in Spanish Fort.

Also every Friday beginning next week, the camp will include water days with slip and slides and other water activities.

Knight said while the camp emphasizes fun activities for its participants, it’s first priority is always safety.

“In everything we do we want to ensure that the kids are safe,” he said, “and we take every precaution to make sure that they are.”

In addition to normal activity safety precautions, Knight said, the camp also takes steps to ensure its participants are safe from predators.

“The kids are watched at all times,” he said. “We also take measures to ensure that only designated guardians are allowed to drop the kids off and pick them up.”

To sign up or for more information contact Knight at 251-96407733 or email loxcivic@gulftel.com. More information about the town of Loxley and its Summer Youth Program is also available online at townofloxley.org.