VALDOSTA, Ga. (WALB) - The holiday season is a special time for family to gather together. But sadly, foster children may feel they have no family.

Jeni McLeod and her husband took in their first child at 13 days old with three of their own children. Less than a year later they adopted her.

McLeod, foster parent said, “It is wild and crazy at my house but it’s so good…it’s like the hardest and the best thing.”

McLeod was a foster care case manager which has prepared her in some ways, but now she has a better understanding of some of the challenges foster parents face.

“We want them to have the most normal experience we can give them while they are in foster care with our family so play all the sports and do all the activities and go on the field trips and that all adds up,” she said.

Christmas Lights at Camp Rock began when Jay Watkins and his wife Sandra saw an opportunity to support families through fundraising and teach useful skills like welding, hospitality, and art.

“Being able to watch the next generation buy in and wanting to keep it going for the kids that are now in the situation they were in. That blesses my heart,” Watkins said.

Now, Camp Rock serves over 1,200 children year round.

During the Christmas season they have a special night for foster families to receive dinner and each child a stocking with gifts.

He said, “To see the kids come to a place of safety — mental health safety, being able to express themselves. To show and experience love that is just the most amazing night we can experience.”

The mile long drive through a Christmas wonderland allows Camp Rock to expand its outreach to the community.

“It helps us do all that we do year round. From disaster relief to just helping foster families,” Watkins said.

Christmas Lights at Camp Rock is located at 4407 Rocky Ford Rd. The exclusive open dates are:

• November 30: Foster families and clients of LAMP, the Haven, Children’s Advocacy Center, and House of Hope will have an exclusive opening Saturday, November 30.
• December 1: FAST and DSAGSG families, entirely sensory friendly.
• December 5: Military personnel, first responders, and public works employees (must show identification).

Christmas Lights at Camp Rock will also be open Dec. 6 through Dec. 8 and Dec. 13 through Dec. 24 from 6 p.m. until 10 p.m. each night. Entry is $10 per person with all children 5-years-old and under entering for free.

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