As El Reno slowly begins the process of emerging from its COVID-19 lockdown, there are lessons that need to be taught about how to survive future pandemics.

Jackie and Deangelo Jenkins, through their local nonprofit organization Children of Hope Community Outreach, have come up with a teaching tool – getting your hands dirty.

In conjunction with Southern Heights Baptist Church, the couple will offer an eight-week summer camp for children with a focus on innovations in gardening.

“One of our biggest goals is to reconnect children with nature and to see what they can create with their hands. I didn't want my children to feel fearful after what has happened.

“I wanted them to know even when the store shelves are empty and people are acting crazy, there are still things you can do with your own hands,” said Jackie Jenkins.

Across the street from the church, the couple have created a 50-foot by 50-foot outdoor garden to serve as a living classroom for the camp.

“The children will come to the camp and will learn about agriculture and horticulture and learn how to work in the garden. We have plans to make it a community garden after the camp so that people can come in and learn how to garden as well,” said Jenkins.

The garden has eight above-ground wooden-framed beds for growing and more are planned.

“There will be more around the edges and the children are also going to learn how to build a greenhouse as one of the things they will do,” said Jenkins.

The couple have already spent between $3,000 and $5,000 of their own money to get the garden part of the camp started and make upgrades to the part of the church that will be used.

“We are in the process of putting in an early education center there in the church, but when things started happening related to the virus, we knew it would be slow for everyone.

“We wanted to make sure we could still help families we care for in El Reno so we decided to launch the summer camp so that the kids could have something to do despite everything going on,” said Jenkins.

The camp will start May 26 and will be free of charge. It’s currently being limited to 10 youth due to the COVID-19 regulations.

“We are still working out times with the parents to see what works best for them. We wanted to make sure we can help those parents that are still out of work or still looking for work,” said Jenkins.

The pandemic has slowed their efforts with both the camp and the planned learning center.

“It has thrown our schedule behind. We had to put the education center on hold so in the meantime the camp is something that we offer to the community. We wanted to start earlier but because of the virus, the funding has been slow and we had to push some things back,” said Jenkins.

Funding and the social distancing guidelines is what forced the couple to stop the camp enrollment at 10, but there are hopes for more spots to open up if restrictions ease.

“We will be practicing social distancing and the goal is to add more spots but that depends on funding since we will also be offering breakfast and lunch. We know right now we are good for 10,” said Jenkins.

The couple is also looking for residents in the community with knowledge of agriculture and horticulture to speak with campers.

“We were reaching out to Redlands Community College, but due to the virus, they are now no longer available,” said Jenkins

Gardening will only be part of the eight-week camp as the couple are planning to offer things in science, technology, engineering, arts and math.

“The garden is a large part of the camp, but over the eight weeks we will be offering things that work with critical thinking skills, coding on computers, self-esteem and working on reading to help them get to the next level,” said Jenkins.