“This camp is amazing,” declared ten-year-old Zaire Burrows of the Futuristic Camp based in Crawl, Hamilton Parish. “It’s people my age. We have fun. The teachers are funny. It’s not one of those camps where you sit down and do work and play games all day.”In fact on three of the five days the campers are out and about exploring an aspect of Island life through visits to a variety of places.Last week the focus was art, so the campers visited the Bermuda National Gallery and Masterworks Museum of Bermuda Art and completed art-themed craft projects in addition to enjoying the usual games and dip in the ocean.An additional component to the camp is the community service project the campers undertake every Friday.On July 6, when Young Observer caught up with them, the ten to 12 -year-olds were completing a variety of tasks to enhance and preserve the murals in the Masterworks Museum’s Onion Patch in the Botanical Gardens.Counsellor Dennika Warren emphasised the importance the camp leaders place on teaching kids to give back to the community.Other charities to receive support from the campers will be the Green House in Devonshire, the Bermuda National Trust and Greenrock.Desmond Crockwell, who runs the camp with the help of fellow-director Lorenzo Simmons and counsellors, explained that he’s designed outings and activities about a different theme each week: art, agriculture, history and health and safety. But the one constant (besides the fun) is the community service.Though initially reluctant to go to any camp, George Dublin is “pretty happy” where he ended up.“The people are nice, friendly” he explained. “Particularly appealing to him was the opportunity to play on the Playstation as it was “sort of competitive but we got to know each other better.”“It’s a laid back camp,” he continued, “But you have to keep up standards of being nice and using your manners and stuff.”Tazaiah Raynor, who attends Whitney Institute, echoed his thoughts.“They have rules, but it’s not boring. There are nice counsellors who care about people and you make friends.”Repeatedly, it was the range of activities that the campers found most appealing that and the fun counsellors.“They let you experience a lot of different things, like going really deep into art,” stated 10-year-old Zendeai Fubler, who added, “I really like this camp.”There are opportunities to learn to cook making pizza and barbecuing a meal - and the kids are encouraged to get involved in physical activities like swimming, football and races.“We walk everywhere,” observed Kyarjae Flood. “Next week we’re exercising, so when we leave this camp we’ll be fit.”Not only will the campers benefit from their summer experiences, but local charities will as well.