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Founder of Fresh Air Family pitches outdoor summer camps for Gadsden children
Summary
Verna Gates, founder and executive director of Fresh Air Family, described a nature-based summer camp model that the nonprofit plans to bring to Gadsden, stressing outdoor, hands-on learning, a sliding-fee scholarship policy and full-day hours to support working families.
Verna Gates, founder and executive director of Fresh Air Family, told the Gadsden City Council on Jan. 14 that her nonprofit plans to bring an outdoor, hands‑on summer camp model to the city after 19 years operating camps elsewhere in Alabama.
Gates said the program, which she called “Gross Out Camp,” emphasizes field biology, time in creeks and woods, and an “unschooling” approach that follows children’s interests rather than a rigid daily schedule. “If your child finds a salamander, we’re not gonna say put that thing down, honey,” Gates told council members. She said camps are small — about 20 children with two counselors plus a director — and run with an option of 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. to accommodate working parents.
Gates said Fresh Air Family awarded about $62,000 in scholarship aid last summer so “we never turn a child away because of money,” and that last summer the organization operated 72 camps at 26 locations and served about 1,200 children. She also noted a safety record she described to the council: “Two stitches in 19 years is all we’ve had,” she said.
Councilman Smith, who introduced Gates to the council, thanked her for meeting with city staff and parks and recreation before the council session. Council members offered brief praise for the program’s outdoor emphasis and its stated commitment to financial aid and small class sizes.
Gates said Fresh Air Family hires experienced instructors and several Ph.D.-level staff for curriculum support and described activities including creek exploration, fishing using simple tackle, and science experiments. She said the group hopes to run up to 10 small camps in the area and later provide school field trips and after-school programs.
The council did not take formal action at the meeting; Gates’ appearance was a presentation and an opportunity to discuss potential local partnerships and sites. The mayor and council thanked Gates and said staff and parks and recreation would follow up on possible locations and logistics.
Details the group provided at the meeting — including the scholarship amount, past scope (72 camps in 26 locations) and operating hours (8 a.m.–6 p.m. option) — were given by Gates during her presentation.
