Chickasaw youth expand horizons with summer opportunities
This article appeared in the April 2014 edition of the Chickasaw Times
A world of wonderful fun and opportunity await every Chickasaw young person this summer. All Chickasaw youth ages five to 18 can now apply for the experiences of a lifetime! The Chickasaw Nation youth summer camps, clinics and academies are just around the corner.
What will you do with your summer? This year, make your plans to improve yourself, expand your horizons and become more engaged with your tribe. There’s a whole new world waiting just for you!
The Chickasaw Nation is very interested in you. That’s right – YOU! You represent your tribe’s future and now is the time to get involved. It doesn’t matter where you live. All that matters is your tribe wants to share with you and help you awaken the wonderful Chickasaw spirit that is inside you. The Chickasaw Nation wants to make this summer the best summer you have ever experienced!
What are your interests? Do you like writing? How about art, song, dance? Or you may be the sporting type who enjoys golf, basketball, football, even cheerleading. It’s all open to you right now!
The Chickasaw Nation hosts many summer camps, clinics and academies designed to fit your interests. There is something for everyone! You will find plenty of choices to inspire you.
You might choose the popular Camp Survivor. You will enjoy swimming, hiking, fishing, rock climbing and so much more. You will also learn more about your Chickasaw culture.
Are you interested in our planet and our environment? You may choose Environmental Camp where you will explore your tribe’s conservation efforts and how our daily efforts can greatly improve the environment we all share.
Would you like to learn more about your tribe’s traditional games? At Chikashashaat Hoochokoshkomo Camp you will join in traditional games of stickball, chunkey and more. You will learn archery and the fine art of marbles. It’s a wonderful time!
To immerse yourself deeper in your Chickasaw culture, you might choose Chickasaw Nation Cultural Camp at the beautiful Chickasaw Cultural Center in Sulphur. There you will learn stomp dancing, traditional crafts and Chickasaw language. As a Chickasaw you will feel connected to your heritage.
The Chickasaw Summer Arts Academy is a unique two-week residential camp hosted on the campus of East Central University in Ada. You and your fellow campers will engage in a variety of artistic endeavors including drama, music, visual arts and more. Chickasaw kids love this camp. You could join in this year!
Maybe you like aeronautics and everything to do with airplanes and flight. The Chickasaw Nation Space and Aviation Camp is just for you. You will learn the basics of flight, and take an actual flight in a small plane. This is a great camp if you are ready to soar!
If you really want to challenge yourself, you might apply for Space Camp. This special week happens at the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. You will be challenged to grasp engineering and aerospace concepts. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity!
I know there are many Chickasaw boys who love football. Your tribe offers one of the premiere youth football camps in the country! Champions Football Camp offers coaching by veteran coach Ken Heupel and his son, OU All-American Josh Heupel. These coaches are joined by other seasoned veterans to help you get a great head start on football season.
Your tribe also offers summer sports clinics in basketball, golf, tennis and cheerleading.
And there is so much more!
You can make this summer your best ever. All your summer camp choices are detailed inside this edition of the Chickasaw Times.
It’s all possible. All we need is – YOU!