For one week, 60 children who might not otherwise get the opportunity will live in a cabin and enjoy all that summer camp has to offer.

The Western Charles County Community Association provided the means for preselected children from four area schools to have a week at Lions Camp Merrick in Nanjemoy.

Campers are selected by the school system based on economic status and family situation.

The association, with the help of donations, provides camp materials and funding for each camper.

Laura Forbes-Brown, a volunteer and supporter of the camp, wrote in an email that the hope is to “give these 60 children an amazing vacation for a week.”

The overnight camp begins Sunday for the children, ages 9 to 12, from Gale-Bailey, Indian Head, J.C. Parks and Mount Hope/Nanjemoy elementary schools.

The camp will end June 29.

WCCCA supporters are seeking people interested in sponsoring a camper for the week by providing typical camp gear such as two pairs of shorts and shirts, pants or jeans with a matching shirt, flip-flops, tennis shoes, a bathing suit, pajamas, socks and underwear.

Forbes-Brown said in a phone interview that campers will have on-site dental screenings and hearing and sight screenings during the week and get a visit from members of the Charles County Sheriff’s Office.

“This camp has always been dear to my heart. The kids who attend the camp have faced some big challenges in their lives that, fortunately, most other children will never have to face. I just like to take a minute and meet the campers and interact with them,” Charles County Sheriff Rex Coffey (D) wrote in an email. “Sometimes we play a game of kick ball or sometimes they like to do face painting especially when they paint mine. Or sometimes we just talk about what it’s like being a police officer.”

It’s a special time for them, Coffey said, and the interaction is always fun.

Forbes-Brown said campers will enjoy typical camp fare such as water activities and campfires and, toward the end of the week, campers will get a chance to go to Regency Furniture Stadium in Waldorf to see the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs play baseball.

For more information on the camp or to donate, email Forbes-Brown at laura_forbes@comcast.net.

gphillips@somdnews.com