Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Zac Brown's Camp Southern Ground to include all kids



from My Fox Atlanta by Doug Evans:

Country music star Zac Brown is building a 500 acre camp for special needs kids.
The musician has long dreamed of building a camp for special needs kids and he is on course to see it the reality of Camp Southern Ground.

In video provided to us by his charity, Brown talked about his passion for helping children.

Camp Southern Ground's executive director Jean Peck says Zac first dreamed of building a summer camp when he was a camp counselor in the north Georgia mountains.


"The power of that, for him as a counselor, he says that that really made him what he is today. It's like his music and what he does as a country music entertainer is his passion, but this is really his dream," said Peck.

While Camp Southern Ground will be for all kids, the singer wants it specialize on children with special needs.

"When I was about 14 or 15, I thought one day I want to do this. I want to provide the kind of environment where kids can be positively influenced and where they can hopefully learn some things that they can carry with them for the rest of their lives," Brown said.

Brown donated 500 acres of prime pasture land in Fayette County. He spreads the word about his dream at concerts all over the country and his fans are responding.

Peck said the camp will include activities such as horseback riding, canoeing, fishing, arts and crafts and organic gardening.

Brown and his wife Shelly have four children and live not far from the camp. He said he looks forward to the day when he can come out to the camp and visit the kids.

"This is not the Zac Brown Camp. This is a camp that will live on long after I'm dead and gone," Brown said on the video. "The first time that I walk outside here and hear a group of kids singing through the woods -- that's what it's all about."


from Camp Southern Ground:

Letter from Zac Brown

To me, there is nothing more worthwhile than helping kids. I grew up working with kids while on staff at summer camps and remember how they were impacted during their visits. Their time at camp helped to make a difference in their lives and will last them a lifetime. Camp Southern Ground will work with special needs children while providing them with lodging and facilities to most effectively contribute to their rehabilitation. The highly trained staff will offer a wide variety of therapeutic activities that are designed to help stimulate the mind and body and encourage development, all in a beautiful setting. This is the year to get it started! Welcome to Camp Southern Ground...
-Zac Brown

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