With summer in full swing, students at Spring Hill Elementary experienced five days full of adventure at the 2018 Fayette Vision Camp Experience, a camp designed to connect students to the community and help them understand the “vision” for Fayette County.

Spring Hill’s media specialist and camp coordinator Jeff Eller understands students are the next generation of leaders in the Fayette County community; this camp was a way to provide those students with essential skills needed to become effective members and future leaders of the community.

Over 60 third, fourth, and fifth grade students attended the week-long camp where they experienced the practice of economy, place, community, and education.

During the camp, students were offered opportunities to practice different ways they could be a part of the community as well as understand the importance of civic engagement.

Students learned the importance of city planning and what better people to learn from than those who work in the city on a daily basis. Eller invited the Fayetteville Police and Fire Department, Public Services, as well as employees from Waste Industries.

Students were able to tour and learn various parts of a fire truck and police car while police officers and firemen explained the importance of their role in the community. Several brave students took a ride in the fire truck and the police Utility Terrain Vehicle (UTV).

Residents of Azalea Estates, an assisted senior living community, visited and played board games with students. A representative from Azalea Estates explained the importance of encouraging housing development that appeals to a broad population of all ages.

The Fayette County Chamber of Commerce, Pinewood Atlanta Studios, several small business owners, a Georgia Tech professor, and many others came out to show Spring Hill students their support and belief in connecting students to the community. Each representative offered interactive ways for students to understand how their businesses serve and thrive in the community.

Even the school system’s very own Dr. Joseph Barrow, superintendent, spent two days observing and engaging with the students. “Mr. Eller and his team of teachers did an excellent job of engaging students in some amazing activities. The students blogged about their experiences and explored various college and career pathways,” he says.