Over the past few months, dozens of local children had fun at the Suffolk Redevelopment Housing Authority’s (SRHA) summer camp. Friday afternoon, they went out in a blast of enjoyment.

The children, who hung out at the Hoffler Apartments and the Colander Bishop Medows complex five mornings a week, bid farewell to the camp, and the majority of their summer vacation, with a party at Sleepy Hole Park.

&uot;This gives the children something to do,&uot; said Hoffler’s manager Delisha Lamb (though the camp was run by the Parks and Recreation Department for the past few years, SRHA took over the latest program. &uot;Sometimes they need something to keep them out of trouble. For the last day, we wanted to celebrate the end of the year with a nice cookout.&uot;

Every week, the kids went on field trips to various locations around the area, ranging from the Suffolk Museum to the Cypress Pool to Jamestown. Dupree Little’s favorite trip was to the Harbor View movie theater to watch &uot;Scooby Doo 2.&uot;

&uot;That was so funny!&uot; said the 10-year-old Mack Benn Elementary School student. &uot;It was better than the first one. It can be boring (without camp) in the summer, because it’s too hot to go outside.&uot;

Over the past few months, the kids did, and learned, more than just play games, said Deonta Allen.

&uot;I learned respect, good manners and behavior,&uot; he said. &uot;When I go back to school, I’m going to be good.&uot;

jason.norman@suffolknewsherald.com