Singing the nursery rhyme "oranges and lemons, the bells of St. Clement's ... " while jumping "inside, outside, inside out ... " is lost on most children these days, replaced by cell phone text messages sent in code that barely resembles words.

But learning to jump rope double-Dutch is one of the basic skills being taught -- along with reading, writing, math and basic etiquette -- during summer camp at the East Drain Street Community Center.

"They are learning to share and take care of each other," said Daisy Henry, a Bunnell city commissioner and pastor with Spirit of Truth Ministries. She's also involved with the Alliance of Involved Ministers, or AIM, a group of local ministers intent on reaching the area's youths.

"It's about respect and sharing," she said. "We had the kids make up the rules, which we strictly enforce." The rules include showing respect to one another, keeping their hands to themselves and refraining from the use of foul language.

Henry is keen on making sure Bunnell youngsters between the ages of 7 and 16, who might otherwise spend the bulk of their summer vacation with nothing to do, have a place to go and activities that could enrich their lives.

For Dominic Green, 12, watching the movie "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas" -- the story of a boy whose father is in charge of a Nazi prison camp, and who is not allowed to befriend a young Jew awaiting extermination -- made an impact.

"They've (camp counselors) been teaching us good things like love," Dominic said. "The boy from the house died. They put him in a (gas chamber) and killed him because of his friend. It taught us there are people who are caring for others so much they would die for them."

But this summer camp is not all about lesson-learning, said 9-year-old Chris Zimmerman.

"We done field trips, like going to DeLeon Springs," he said. "The part I didn't like was writing four or five stories."

The Rev. Sims Jones of God Loves Ministry teased a group of girls who are better with their phones than with jumping ropes.

"Come on now. Do you see him?" Jones said, referring to the rope-jumping skills of 14-year-old LanGregory Jones, (no relation). "Are you going to tell me a boy can do this better than you girls? I bet I could even still do this."

Wondering what double-Dutch rope jumping has to do with etiquette? Jumpers and rope swingers have to be in rhythm or the result is a human-and-rope knot.

"Some of it is that we just want these kids to get some exercise," Rev. Jones said. "Some of that athleticism is going away."

Prompted by a suggestion from Bunnell Police Chief Arthur Jones, the summer camp is AIM's second big undertaking since the nonprofit was formed two years ago. The first was a Black History Month celebration in February.

The enthusiasm of the 30 children who will participate for free through the first week of August -- and the waiting list of kids hoping for a spot to open up -- is enough for Henry to call the fledgling program a success.

"I want to empower the children," Henry said. "We need something within the city to engage our kids."