To the editor:

The Summer TideWATER Camp of the Suffolk-Nansemond Historical Society and the Suffolk Art League was once again a wonderful and informative week for 17 terrific young people from diverse backgrounds. The students’ participation and excitement for our various activities added to the success of the week.

The camp was funded by generous donations from the Birdsong Trust and Chorey & Associates Realty. When communities have organizations that believe in nurturing and supporting their youth, it makes a community stronger.

The activities included art projects and field trips. The campers painted a water picture under the direction of Cindy Quesenberry, and Wayne Jones of Suffolk Litter Control gave a presentation on keeping our waterways healthy.

The campers went on three wonderful field trips that exposed them to the beauty of our waterways. They were given insightful information on ways to stop pollution.

Kevin Sary of Tourism took the students on a tour to the Great Dismal Swamp. Penny Lazauskas gave a tour of the fauna and plants of the swamp.

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s canoe trip reiterated the importance of healthy waterways. The Chippokes trip included a history lesson of the James River and a fossil hunt.

I would like to thank the following people that made the week a time of wonder, growth and a source of lifetime memories.

• Linda Bunch — Suffolk Art League
• Kevin Sary — Suffolk Tourism
• Yancey Powell and Cameron Crannell — Chesapeake Bay Foundation
• Mrs. Martin — Chippokes Park
• Ed Bickham, for driving the van to Chippokes
• Mr. and Mrs. Bert Pretlow, for driving the van to Smithfield
• Joanna Bickham, for helping with the fossil hunt
• Subway, for packing a delicious lunch
• Kimberly Greene, for trying to keep me organized
• Starr Motors, for ensuring I had a van for the trips
• Amber Abernethy, for her help with the camp
• Jimmy LaRoue and Tracy Agnew with the Suffolk News-Herald, for the newspaper’s coverage

As always, the interaction with young people makes my life richer.

Sandra Councill

Suffolk-Nansemond Historical Society board member