Sixth Street Museum District Hosts a Youth Civic Engagement and Leadership Camp Honoring the 60th Year Anniversary of Freedom Summer

The Sixth Street Museum District in partnership with The University of Southern Mississippi’s Center for Black Studies and the School of Education will host a Youth Civic Engagement and Leadership Camp Honoring the 60th Year Anniversary of Freedom Summer from July 15 – 19, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. at the Historic Eureka School, 410 East Sixth Street. “It’s important to keep an emphasis on citizenship in

commemorating Freedom Summer,” said Dr. Sherita Johnson, director of the USM Center for Black Studies and an associate professor of English. “It’s more impactful to have youth involved.”

This camp is for rising 7th and 8th graders with the goals of:

· Cultivating their interests and passions to become engaged and responsible citizens in their community.

· Enhancing students’ understanding of representative democracy and their role and responsibilities as citizens.

· Strengthening their leadership skills and confidence to help generate ideas and solve problems for the betterment of their communities.

The camp will include interactive activities, guest speakers, tours of historical sites and action civics brainstorming sessions focusing on the importance of civic engagement. Over the course of the camp, based on personal interest, students will identify a community need and create a plan to address it. On June 20th at 12:00 noon there will be a Community Showcase where students will present their projects. “During Freedom Summer, many youth and young adults were involved and made a difference in their community,” said Vanessa Molden, Museum Operations & Education Supervisor for Sixth Street Museum District. “This is an opportunity for attendees to learn that history and legacy but also to be motivated to become actively involved to make a difference in their community.”

This camp is sponsored by The First. There is no cost to participate. Limited spaces are available. For questions, please call 601-450-1942 or visit www.hattiesburgeureka.com .