A child gasps as she feeds a pony at the Camp Rock of Georgia Foster Agency ’ s petting zoo . The drive-thru Christmas light extravaganza stretches over a mile and is open throughout December .
“ That is a night where our kids in foster care get free gifts and our families just get showered with love and we close the campus and call it Come Home for Christmas or Christmas Time at Camp Rock ,” he said .
There will be a new addition to this season ’ s holiday plans as the camp will host its Annual Christmas Tree Lighting . The event is intended to be a night for local non-profits to receive support from community members . All community members will receive free entry to the lighting event on the first night of Camp Rock ’ s holiday season scheduled for Nov . 25th . Visitors will have the opportunity to give donations to their favorite nonprofit in place of the entry fee . QR codes will be posted across the camp for easy donations .
“ The Annual Christmas Tree Lighting event is to help the community give back to local non-profits following Hurricane Idalia and to help kick off our season ,” Watkins said .
The Christmas Time at Camp Rock event will be heldthis year for ten days from December 14th to Christmas Eve , with special nights for specific families and community members such as Low Sensory Night for Autism , Foster Care Night and First Responders & Firemen Night .
General Admission is $ 10 per person and children 3 and under gain free entry . Attendees will be able to view the drive-thru light show , petting zoo , an outdoor movie , and a bonfire . They also have the opportunity to participate in the following activities : crafts , games , “ No Snow ” sledding , hay rides , mini golf , roller skating , axe throwing , bounce houses and a light maze .
Seeing the looks of happiness on the children ’ s faces means the most to the organizers like Watkins , along with Tiffany McMullen , one of the campus directors , and Melinda Dees , a campus volunteer .
“ One of the most complimentary things , I heard a kid say , about three weeks ago … was Pastor Jay you know why I love Camp Rock . I said why son . He said because I feel like I have a family . That ’ s one of the reasons we do what we do ,” he said .
All proceeds collected during the holiday season contribute as the annual fundraiser for the camp ’ s yearly operating budget . Last year , the camp served over 20,000 visitors during the holiday season .
“ It ’ s something to lighten the load of loss . We really wanted to give an experience and share our knowledge with raising funds while serving our families ,” Watkins said .
Christmas Lights at Camp Rock is one of the largest light shows in South Georgia . Families from across the region travel to the camp durings the its Christmas Time at Camp Rock season .
30 Valdosta Scene | December 2023