By SABRINA BERNDT

Washington Daily News

A new summer camp will offer local students the opportunity to learn lasting skills through workshops and engaging activities, such as this year’s walkathon.

Dream Castles Summer Camp will be hosting its first Youth Explosion Walkathon to promote the camp’s grand opening and healthy habits for the summer. Starting at 601 E. 11th St. and ending at Vidant Wellness Center, the walkathon will take place Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

“What I’ve done is combine our first annual walkathon and grand opening,” Dream Castles’ owner Kimberly Waltower said. “At the fitness center, since the walkathon itself is promoting a safe summer… they’ll have someone come out and give a small speech to kind of get the kids on a safety path.”

After the safety speech at the wellness center, the group will walk back to Dream Castles’ building at 601 E. 11th St. and the camp will offer free hot dogs and drinks, as well as a bounce house and face painting for participating children. Parents will also have an opportunity to learn about the summer camp, with registration starting at 12:30 p.m.

Waltower, a P.S. Jones Middle School teacher, founded Dream Castles Summer Camp after she noticed students constantly misbehaving in her eighth-grade class. She wanted to find a way to keep the kids focused, while working on their self-confidence. Her solution was a summer camp that offers workshops for leadership and communication skills.

“It hones in on their social skills — it helps them out with public speaking, college prep, career prep and very much emotional awareness, helping them find themselves and get in tune with themselves,” Waltower said.

The camp starts June 24, and will offer services for 7- to 16-year-olds Mondays through Fridays. At $40 a week, local children will gain the experience and skills they need to become successful in the classroom and beyond.

Older participants interested in becoming junior counselors will gain extra leadership experience, as well as a recommendation letter and a waiver for the weekly fee.

“It puts them on a leadership level,” Waltower said. “We’ll be doing leadership, fundraising, and we’ll be practicing a lot of interview techniques. We will also be having self-confidence and anti-bullying workshops.”

Those unable to attend the walkathon can visit Dream Castles on Facebook for more information.