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Parents and educators praise 'More Laughing' camp; organizer seeks additional funding to expand
Summary
Parents and educators told council the More Laughing Arts & Media Cool Kids camp gave Hampton youth hands‑on media and arts experience; organizer Allison Moore thanked the council for a $15,000 sponsorship, reported training 18 Hampton youth and asked for private support to cover a $40,000 program cost with hopes for inclusion in a future city budget.
Multiple parents, educators and participants addressed council in support of Moore Laughing Arts & Media’s Cool Kids camp, describing outcomes in journalism, performing arts, media production and leadership. Amanda and Andy Ludwig said their daughters returned each day "excited" and praised the program for offering field trips and hands‑on learning; Yola Lewis Dance and Shonda Dawson highlighted confidence, social‑emotional learning and new skills students gained.
Organizer Allison Moore reported the city provided $15,000 that helped launch the summer camp and said the program trained 18 Hampton youth (plus 7 from outside the city) who logged over 100 hours of learning, interviewed civic leaders and produced original media. "This program is for Hampton," Moore said, and asked staff and council to consider funding and partnerships to expand the program in the fall and include it in future budgets; she said she is seeking about $25,000 in private support to close a $40,000 cost gap and hopes to build toward a $120,000 flagship program in later years.
City Manager Michael Bunting praised the camp and said staff will explore grant and in‑kind partnership opportunities and introductions to Hampton City Schools. Several parents and students described how the camp increased confidence and provided career‑related exposure.
