COVINGTON, Ky. — A northern Kentucky teacher is spending her summer break helping out with some city-wide programs in Covington. Celeste Brockett teaches math at Holmes Middle School and is getting ready to go into her 16th year of teaching.

“Born and raised here in Covington, graduated from Holmes High School and it’s just a thing where I’m embedded into the community,” she shared.

Brockett and other teachers have said their goodbyes to students for the summer. Now, she’s taking on additional responsibilities as a part-time recreations specialist with the city of Covington.

She started her summer helping run Cov Camp — a day camp program running this week that’s become the newest offering by the city.

City leaders are partnering with Covington Independent Schools to offer the camp completely for free to parents and kids.

Kids like 10-year-old Aliah Horne are soaking up the fun. “We played pickleball, soccer, red light green light but with a football, and we did art and a lot of other fun things,” she explained.

Brockett says children like Horne get some time away from screens to take part in these activities and it also gives them opportunities to interact with others.

“I’ve made a lot of new friends,” Horne declared.

Brockett believes these camps provide a free, safe space for kids to stay on a routine similar to when they are in school. It also allows her the opportunity to continue being a role model in the community while class is out for the summer.

“I just love hearing kids laugh. I like to see them involved and, more importantly, I like to see the physical part and socializing,” she said.

Cov Camp concludes Friday June 9. City officials say more programs are going to be offered throughout the summer for kids and parents.