Special to The Post-Searchlight

Emory Smith has been named the Summer Camp Director for the Bainbridge-Decatur County YMCA.

Smith “grew up” in the YMCA as an active member in the Hi-Y Club. As a high school student, he held Hi-Y offices at the district, state and national level. He began his YMCA career in Kentucky in 1975 and worked with children and teenagers in YMCAs in Kentucky and Georgia for more than 20 years. He also served six years working with children and youth in church ministry. From 2001 to 2008, he was a motivational speaker, speaking to teenagers in schools from New Hampshire to Florida. He moved to Bainbridge in 2009 as Development Director at Bainbridge College. He joined the Bainbridge YMCA staff in January.

Smith says that working with children is his “natural habitat.” He particularly enjoys leading songs and playing unique games with them. When asked about how, at 56 years old, he manages to relate so well to children and teenagers, he said “The main requirement is that you never forget what it was like to be one!”

YMCA Summer Camps will be in session the entire summer break. Camp Decatur, for 4-to-8-year-olds, and Camp Seminole, for 9-to-12-year-olds, will have different recreation themes each week ranging from Water Week (swim lessons and giant slip-n-slide) to Racquets and Nets Week (tennis and volleyball). There will also be arts, culture, etiquette and “leadership moments” where guest speakers will focus on teaching campers lessons about personal leadership.

The YMCA offers their camps every day, Monday through Friday, for children to attend the entire summer or to just come for select weeks or a few days. There is also a half-day option for students who want to attend only the morning or afternoon sessions. For more information, call the YMCA at (229) 243-0508 or come by the Y and pick up a camp brochure.