MEMPHIS, Tenn. — With school out for the summer, lots of kids are spending their time outdoors, but unbearable temperatures are hitting just as thousands of a Memphis kids are starting the city’s summer camp.
They are monitoring how often they stay outside and how much water they are consuming in these dangerously high temps.
“It’s very hot,” said eight-year-old Ashlee Sinkfield.
It is so hot outside that students attending summer camp at Lester Community Center are not allowed to go outdoors during certain parts of the day.
When the temperature reaches 90 or higher, they gym becomes their second option.
“I was sweating when I came inside,” said Sinkfield.
Lester Community Center’s Director Walter Casey said the students go outside as soon as they arrive to camp.
“At 8:30, the time we do flag raising, we take them right outside because this will probably be the coolest part of our operational hours,” said Casey.
Campers make sure they’re staying hydrated.
“They take like two really big water coolers for everybody and they give us paper cups to drink from outside,” said Dorian Starks who’s attending camp.
“With the lunch program that we’re on, we generally get a beverage with it and then we get a snack, the snack is generally grape juice, or orange juice. It’s generally frozen,” Casey explained.
Students said in temps like this, they’re thankful for the swimming pool at the center.
They take advantage of it every chance they get.
The pool opened at 1:00 and closes at 6:00.
Casey also encouraged parents to make sure their children are wearing loose clothing.