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Fraternity hosts boys' summer camp
By Natalie Jordan, Rocky Mount Telegram
Thanks to the Alpha Omicron graduate chapter of Omega Psi Phi, a group of Rocky Mount children were given an opportunity that many of their peers have not experienced.

Thirteen boys ranging from 8 to 14 years old were invited to attend the 6th District Boys Camp 2003, a fraternity-sponsored project devoted to addressing the needs of minority children.

"(We) try to give underprivileged boys a chance to go," said Earl Miller, who has been a member of Omega Psi Phi since 1977.

In sponsoring the camp, Omega Psi Phi wanted to break down the barriers that prevent underprivileged children from participating in summer activities that more affluent children can attend, said Guion Davis, who has been a member of the fraternity since 1958.

"(Eight-year-olds) can go, but we focus on ages 10 and up because they are a little more mature and can adjust better to camp life," Davis said.

The boys spent a week at Camp W.W. Long in Aiken, S.C., a 4-H camp owned by Clemson University. The fraternity rents out the camp's facilities for the week.

"We run the whole show," said Melvin Mitchell, president of the Alpha Omicron chapter. "(The camp) gives the opportunity to kids to go to camp that do not have the means to go. The camp is free, and we provide them with what they need. Exposure is the key to children during their growing stages."

Activities included swimming, golf, archery, arts and crafts, recreational sports and canoeing. But that wasn't all the children learned.

"I learned about friendship and trusting people," said Joshua Pender, a sixth-grader at Parker Middle School.

The 11-year-old said he didn't know anyone before he went but has since made many friends.

"(We) did archery. I liked that," Pender said. "We went horseback riding. I liked that. We also played golf. I liked that too."

The children also had academic classes that taught them the meaning of the acronym PRIDE. That class was taught by a professor from the University of South Carolina.

"PRIDE stands for perseverance, respect, integrity, determination and enthusiasm," said Brandon Deans, 12.

Deans, a student at Parker Middle School, has participated in the camp for three years. He said he liked going swimming, playing football and learning "Que" steps.

"(Camp) teaches me to be a man," Deans said.

Mitchell said he remembered Deans' first year at the camp.

"Deans cried 'cause he wanted to go home," Mitchell said. "Now, every year he looks forward to going back."

Deans was not the only camper who said he enjoyed the trip.

"I like football. I liked to tackle people," said a smiling Javarous Cooper, 11. But when asked if he learned anything at the camp, Cooper said he didn't.

Martin McCoy Jr., 14, chimed in. "Yes you did. What did you learn in Omega?"

Cooper laughed but did not respond.

"I can tell you what he learned – he learned discipline and respect," McCoy said.

McCoy, a freshman at Nash Central High School, said he was nervous at first. But after his father told him of the activities, he decided to give it a try.

"I liked (recreation) time because everyone could get together and play an organized game. And (we) could go and talk to people and get to know them," McCoy said. "I made quite a few new friends."

Sitting on a box stereo speaker, Antwan Hines, 13, looked on while one of the other campers spoke.

"My favorite part was recreation time. I got to play any sport I wanted – mostly played football and basketball though," Hines said.

The camp did not have a theme of teamwork, but at least three of the campers, including Brian Silver, 11, agreed the one thing they took away from the camp was it takes teamwork to make things happen.

"It's unbelievable how these kids came together," Mitchell said.

Five of this year's campers had attended last year. Some of the kids who participated, including both Hines and Silver, said they plan to return next summer.

"We like for the same kids to come back," Mitchell said. "That way we can keep track of them. It is a very positive atmosphere."

Omega Psi Phi fraternity is founded on four principles – manhood, scholarship, perseverance and uplift – and are passed on to the kids through the activities provided at the camp, Mitchell said.

"What we try to do is instill self-confidence," Mitchell said. "Give them values of teamwork and activities constructive to learning. I went to give something to them, but instead they gave something to me."