This week around 80 children from around Vicksburg came together for the Salvation Army’s Kicks for Hope Soccer Camp, a place where they can learn a little about the sport, get a hot meal and participate in a Bible study.

Pam Jackson, a co-chairperson Salvation Army Kicks for Hope Soccer Camp, said the point of the camp is to provide opportunities.

“It’s to give back to the kids in the community,” she said. “Some of the kids don’t really have somewhere to go or activities to be involved with.”

Jackson said the children play soccer from 8 a.m. to noon, then they have lunch, followed by Bible study and crafts beginning at 1 p.m.

“They have a good time and talk about the Lord,” she said. “It’s something we do every year to give back to the community and give the kids something to do.”

Every day a different corporate sponsor donates lunch, Jackson said.

“Throughout the whole week there are different volunteers who donate time and food,” she said. “Every day someone different came with something for the kids for lunch. We have some great volunteers who come out and help from year to year.”

Jackson said Friday was the last day, and they had the water slide and the Vicksburg Tobacco Coalition came out to give the campers bags with different activities in it and talked to them about tobacco and drugs.

“They’ve been doing this for I think five years, and the kids look forward to this camp,” she said. “We do it for the kids.”

Director Carlos Lee said a lot of these kids will grow up to be role models for younger kids around them.

“We get a lot of kids off the streets that otherwise wouldn’t have anything to do,” he said. “We’re creating not only players, but role models.”

Lee said it’s important to keep programs like this going.

“A lot of these kids will come back in four or five years and they’ll be the instructors,” he said. “It’s a recycling program, if you will.”

Ken’tavious Ford, 12, said this is his first year to attend the camp.

“We learned everything,” he said. “We learned how to do the diamond, the headbutt and new tricks.”

Ford said the camp is really good.

“They teach you how to do stuff you never knew before,” he said.

Ford said he likes soccer, he’s learned a lot, and he wants to keep coming to the camp.

Gracie Burke, 14, a helper for the camp, said she got involved through her grandmother, who helps with the Salvation Army.

“She told us we should come out here and help with the soccer camp,” she said. “It’s fun.”

Burke said this is her second year to help with the camp.

“It helps the kids have something to do during the summer and to have fun in a good environment,” she said.

Burke said her favorite part of helping out with the camp is being able to work with children.

The Salvation Army is currently experiencing a budget shortfall of nearly $50,000. To keep programs like the soccer camp going, the organization needs support from the community.

To donate to the Salvation Army send a check to 530 Mission 66, Vicksburg, MS 39183, or to make a donation online, visit www.salvationarmyalm.org/vicksburg.

The Salvation Army also accepts donations of clothing, shoes and furniture to sell in its thrift store. Old, unusable clothing goes into bales, which the Salvation Army is able to sell as well.