Valdosta Scene December 2023 | Page 28

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CHRISTMAS

Christmas Time at

Camp Rock of Georgia

by KASMIRA SMITH | Photos submitted by Camp Rock of Georgia Foster Agency

The holiday season at Camp Rock of Georgia doesn ’ t just mean a celebration with family and friends . It ’ s an extravagant time for regional community outreach and to treat the children and families that the organization serves throughout the year .

Jay Watkins founded Camp Rock of Georgia over a decade and a half ago as a foster care agency with an initial mission to show the love of Christ and meet the needs of families in crisis .
The foster agency is a camp that serves vulnerable children year-round and operates as a child placement agency based in Valdosta , Georgia . It serves over 200 families year-round in the region .
Its event “ Christmas Time at Camp Rock ‘’ was later born out of the agency . It began as a state-wide celebration . The organizers previously rented a fairgrounds with approximately 20,000 square feet of space on about five acres to host families for the holidays .
“ We would turn it into this amazing themed Christmas party for four hours . It was so fun . We served around 3,500 individuals at the largest event we had there ,” Watkins said .
Visitors have the opportunity to participate in several activities such as hay rides while attending the Christmas Lights at Camp Rock event .
28 Valdosta Scene | December 2023