It’s important to keep young kids in the Vicksburg community active and make sure they have something to look forward to over the hot, dog days of summer.

The Splash and Tumble Summer Camp is intended to do exactly that.

Cheer and tumbling is a great way to keep kids active over the summer, but what makes the Splash and Tumble camp unique from others is half of the camp activities include water activities including water balloons, squirt guns and trips to Catfish Row.

“The camps here at River City Tumble are to keep the kids active throughout the summer,” Jessica Henderson, the owner of River City Tumble, said. “It’s something I enjoyed doing my whole life and something the kids enjoy too, so it’s fun.”

The joy campers get out of attending the Splash and Tumble Camp is a valuable experience over the summer.

“I have so much fun coming here,” McLaurin Truesdell said. “I have a lot of friends that come also, so it makes it more fun for me.”

Originally from Indiana, Henderson and her husband moved down to Vicksburg five years ago. About a year ago, Henderson noticed a vacant store located at 1420 Washington Street. A vacant store located in the middle of downtown was an opportunity Henderson couldn’t pass up.

She started River City Tumble last November and has been holding tumble and cheer camps ever since.

The Splash and Tumble camp ranges from 4-12 years old and is open for any child looking for an activity to do over the summer.

The camp not only brings a smile to the campers’ faces, but it provides joy for Henderson on a daily basis.

“I have a blast doing this especially being involved with cheer and tumble for most of my life,” Henderson said. “I think I enjoy doing this as much as the kids do.”

The day started off Tuesday morning, where Henderson took the kids to Catfish Row to participate in water activities.

The campers returned to River City Tumble and went through tumbling drills including tumbling on the mat in the front of the gym and the trampoline in the back. Snack and water breaks were given in between and then the campers would play in the inflatable obstacle course.

The amount of activities provides a lot of fun for the campers, but picking their favorite activity was a hard task.

“I really like the water activities, but they love the obstacle course,” Henderson said. “The obstacle course is kind of a break time for them, so I think that’s why they enjoy it so much.”

Once the camp ends this week, another camp starts next week for Henderson. Each camp has a different theme and provides different activities for the campers that sign up.

River City Tumble doesn’t only keep kids active over the summer, but it keeps Henderson busy.

“I want the kids to have fun and not dread coming here,” Henderson said. “Mixing up the activities keeps me and the campers busy. I love doing this.”