From left, Clement Li, Seth Williams, Tabitha Goodrich, Noah Chandler, Kevin Whalen and Irene Zhang drop old athletic shoes into a collection bin July 11 at Carolina Kids Camp.

Children ages 6–12 at this summer’s camp have taken on a challenge to help the environment at the possible discomfort of their noses: collecting used athletic shoes for recycling. The day camp serves children of students, staff and faculty of the University and UNC Health Care in eight weeklong sessions this summer, each attended by 125–130 campers.

A camp theme this year has been “Carolina Goes Green” in which campers learn about recycling and other environment-friendly practices. As part of that theme, the campers are collecting the shoes to donate to Nike’s Reuse-a-Shoe program, in which the company grinds the rubber soles and makes the material into playground surfaces.

Everyone whose exercise shoes are on their last leg are welcome to bring the tired treads to Paul Green Theatre Drive, off Country Club Road, during camp drop-off and pick-up, from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. weekdays though Aug. 8.

Shoes also may be left during the day in Room 2416 of the Frank Porter Graham Student Union off South Road. For more on the program, refer to www.letmeplay.com/reuseashoe. Contact Aimee Krans with questions about Carolina Kids Camp (962-6008 or aimee_krans@unc.edu).