Local nonprofit holds NASA Astro Camp for Edgefield County kids

JOHNSTON, S.C. (WJBF) – This is the 4th year the Edgefield County Youth Empowerment Center has held its NASA Astro Camp – inspiring kids in the community to shoot for the stars.

Campers ages 5-17 learn about NASA’s earth, space, and computer science programs, as well as its technology, engineering, rocketry, robot and drone programs.

“We did like a lot of STEM activities and we can make a lot of friends here. We made teamworks, do teamworks and we build together,” said campers Jaden Bosket and Summer Bryant.

The 5-week camp is sponsored by SRNS and other agencies.

“They gave us all the resources, we have a code where we can go in and print anything we want pertaining to NASA,” said Marcella Edwards, the CEO of the Edgefield County Youth Empowerment Center.

Camp was supposed to end a week ago, but was extended due to high demand.

“I enjoy working with the kids, being a mentor in their lives. You know some of them don’t have real role models, so I try to be like one for them,” said camp counselor Kyshon Jones. “Especially in the summertime,” said camp counselor Julissa Strobridge. “School is out and stuff, so it’s easy for them to fall on the wrong path instead of the right path. So, this camp gives them a good opportunity to do that.”

Camp leaders also said it’s a great way to expose youth in rural areas to new opportunities and resources.

“We know the STEM field is very difficult for kids in rural areas so we decided to put our heads together and said we have to do something about it,” Edwards said. “There’s a need and we are always trying to meet a need. If we can’t meet the needs of our community, then we don’t exist.”

The Edgefield County Youth Empowerment Center offers a variety of programs for students.

“Our mission is really to empower our youth and young people, really giving them the authority to decide how their life turns out, and we do that by prevention and intervention programs,” Edwards said.

The last day of camp is Friday. To sign your kid up for next year’s camp, click here.

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