In order to generate funds for the district Lovejoy Elementary is hosting a campout on April 12. Puster and Hart Elementary are hosting campouts as well, on April 26 and 27, respectively.
The campout is open to elementary students and their families, but registration for the event closed March 22. The Campout Committee is seeking high school volunteers and is willing to sign for service hours.
“The funds raised from the campout will directly impact all students at Lovejoy ISD,” said Erin Woods, Lovejoy Elementary Campout Committee Volunteer Coordinator. “We are proud of our district, and recognize that we all play an important role in the vitality of Lovejoy ISD.”
The goal is to make $30,000 per campus through business sponsorships and the campout fees. A portion of the generated revenue will go to the district, and some to the campus itself. The first $30,000 made will go back to the district’s general operating budget in order to provide funding for various district programs.
“One campus used the Late Night Leopards funds to fund additional reading interventionists, and another campus used their funds for playground equipment and library enhancements,” Chief Financial Officer Shay Adams said.
Volunteers will help with cleaning, checking in families, assisting families in carrying camping gear to their campout location, face painting, and supervising yard games and bounce houses.
“I went to the Puster campout last year, and it was fun,” freshman Makenzie Aubel said. “We basically helped with controlling the children and all that. This year my brother is actually going to it.”
Parents and students are expected to bring their own camping gear in order to spend the night outdoors. The campout will include more activities than last year, such as: pony rides, bounce houses, a rock climbing wall, laser tag, karaoke, bumper soccer balls, hamster races, 3×3 basketball, giant chess, hair braiding, face painting, live entertainment, a Glow Dance Party, and a movie.
According to Woods, in order to properly function, the campout will need 100 volunteers. As of April 4, 62 people have signed up. Parent and student volunteers may sign up for two-hour shifts for the Lovejoy campout via SignUpGenius.
“We rely on community support and amazing volunteers to host all of the fun activities that we have planned for our [district] families,” Woods said. “Lovejoy ISD is committed to student safety and to keeping student programs at our current level.”
