Camp Rock Kids Get to Cast a Line

Savannah’s Safe Shelter program includes a summer camp known as Camp Rock, that provides children who are dealing with domestic abuse with the opportunity to take field trips around the city that are both educational and fun. Recently, the Skidaway Chapter of the Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) hosted one such event, our 8th Annual Camper’s Fishing Day at our Kids’ Lagoon.

“We had just over a dozen campers this year, and, as usual, most had not gone fishing before,” said long-time CCA Program Coordinator Dave Devore, “What’s old-hat to us – baiting a hook, casting a line and reeling in a fish – is a brand new and exciting experience for them. Most everyone caught a bluegill, or a turtle! We were able to partner each camper with a CCA volunteer fishing coach, a rewarding moment for both teacher and student.”        

We thank our friends at the adjacent Oak Ridge Fire Station for taking the time to show the campers around the fire house and provide them the opportunity to inspect the ladder truck and turn on the lights and siren!      

Jessica Scott is the child advocate at Safe Shelter and runs the camp.  

“At Camp Rock, it just brightens my day to know that they’re happy and having fun and they’re actually being kids and they don’t have to worry about grown-up responsibilities,” Scott said.

CCA Skidaway Chapter is a non-profit, all volunteer organization with all donations going directly to sustain and improve our island’s aquatic environments and to provide educational outreach to both new and experienced anglers. For more information, and to see how you can contribute and volunteer, visit www.ccaskidaway.org.