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Area youth journey to Hogwarts and beyond at summer camp

In a matter of moments, a weeklong summer day camp of the most unusual kind began.

Sixteen area youth were called before the Ministry of Magic Monday, June 1, and charged with crimes that ranged from “illegal use of the patronus charm” and “nonregistered animagus” to “apparating without a license” and performing a “toilet regurgitation prank.”

Their pleas soon come forth, a finding of innocence was handed down and the journey into the story based loosely on “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix” was under way.

It is the 10th year for the Harry Potter camps, which have been based on the different books over the years. The camps are held at the Northland’s Earnest Shepherd Youth Center, said site director Shelia Bruns.

She said she worked hard to bring this story to life for the youth who have completed the third through sixth grades.

“I read the book six times,” she said about “Harry Potter and the Order of Phoenix.”

It is a journey that close to 30 more youth and their counselors are taking Monday to Friday, June 8 to 12.

Throughout the weeklong camp, the students take part in activities tied to the tales most Harry Potter fans have come to know well, doing everything from creating brightly colored sorting stools and wizardry hats to mounted elf heads and Hagrid’s lanterns.

Among the games is a modified version of Quiddich, which brings the best of soccer, dodge ball and keep away all together on one field.

There were other contests that included the different Hogwarts houses competing against each other.

Graham Robinson of Liberty was among those taking part in the camp held June 1 to 5.

“I love everything about this place,” he said.

Robinson was first introduced to Harry Potter through one of the movies.

“After seeing it, I went home and read all the books in a month,” he said.

Grant Pace of Parkville has also read all the books, seen all the movies and is looking forward to “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince,” which comes out in theaters Wednesday, July 15.

Pace said he was enjoying the crafts and the introduction to this year’s camp.

“I thought the Ministry of Magic was very cool,” he said.

Kyra Manlove of Kansas City said she was enjoying the entire experience at Harry Potter camp.

Manlove also shared what happened when she went before the Ministry of Magic.

“I was charged with regurgitating toilets at McDonald’s,” she said with a laugh.

Caitlyn Champ of Kearney was attending Harry Potter Camp for the fourth time.

She too was charged with regurgitating toilets.

She said one of her most memorable moments was the flying lesson on the zip line.

As for youth attending this week’s camp, who have completed third through fifth grades, there is still one more day for them to find their memorable moments.

Senior writer Mark Johnson can be reached at 781-4941 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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