Campers jump into fun at St. Clair’s oldest summer camp.

There is more to this camp than campfire songs, s’mores and swimming holes.

Camp Winnataska offers six weekly session during June and July, which start on Sundays and end on Saturdays. With more than 1,400 acres, Camp Winnataska has activities like swimming, canoeing, crafts, sports, ropes course, nature study, horseback riding, archery, hiking and camping. Each week, the campers vote on their favorite activity, and canoeing and horseback riding always rank near the top.

Mary Margaret Shepherd, program director, has a long history with the camp. Shepherd, whose children are campers, started attending the camp in 1981. She went from camper to counselor, and she now is the director. In its 93rd year, Camp Winnataska has fourth and fifth generation campers who attend.

“I want the camp to succeed,” she said. “It’s very important to me.”

Another aspect of camp that is important is its Christian mission statement. Campers not only have the chance to enjoy physical activities like rope climbing, they can grow spiritually.

“We are a Christian camp … (that wants) to have children know the love of God,” Shepherd said. “It’s always been an important part of the camp.”

Campers have a morning Bible time, evening vesper service, a devotion in their hut before bed and chance to sing Christian songs throughout the week. Shepherd said the camp is interdenominational, and anyone is welcome to attend.

A full week costs $560, and Mini-Chico sessions cost $300. Children do not need to bring spending money because the camp is all-inclusive, which involves all activities, insurance, accommodations, meals, snacks, a hut picture and a T-shirt. Campers need to bring closed-toe shoes, long pants, water shoes, a white T-shirt for tie-dyeing and costumes for the night activities: Wacky Tacky night, Mission Impossible, Indian night, Pirate night, Country night and the Holy Grail. They stay in huts with children their same age, and counselors are there to take care of them.

The camp, a non-profit organization mostly run by volunteers, averages about 1,000 children during the summer, and Shepherd said they are bound to be homesick at some point. However, she tells parents this feeling is normal, and the experience makes missing home worth it.

“They learn social skills. They learn independent living skills that are invaluable,” she said. “It really helps kids to have time away from mom and dad.”

The camp also offers free programs like Camp Takoda, coordinated through the Autism Asperger Syndrome Consulting Group, and Young Teen Asthma Camp, which gives 12 to 16 year olds asthma education, while participating in the regular camp activities.

Camp Winnataska is located at 260 Winnataska Drive in Pell City. Call the camp at 640-6741 for more information. To register or learn more about early bird discounts, visit their Web site at www.winnataska.org.