A 5K run next weekend will kick off fundraising for Camp Hope, an annual summer camp sponsored by the Chattahoochee Baptist Association

This year the run/walk will begin at 8 a.m. April 25 at West Hall High School. There will be awards for the overall male and female winner along with separate age group awards. There is a one-mile fun run and the cost includes a T-shirt and prizes.

All funds raised from the event will go to needy or at-risk youth from the Hall County area who attend the summer camp.

"You can ... get (applications) through us; and we go through the school system in the Hall County area, and the guidance counselors help us with that," said the Rev. Mike Walston, director of church and community ministries at the Chattahoochee Baptist Association.

During the overnight camp, children will be involved in activities such as Bible study, swimming and arts and crafts.

Camp costs, covered by sponsors, contributors and churches, are about $20,000 for the two weeks, which works out to about $200 per child.

The Chattahoochee Baptist Association is a group of 67 churches that have linked together to help the church community.

Also, donations can be made if people are not able to participate in the 5K, "We'll take any and all donations," Walston said.