Lindenhurst campers ‘step into Egypt’

For the World Travelers of the Lindenhurst Early Childhood Center Summer Camp, taking a trip to see the pyramids is just a normal day.

Although the World Travelers didn’t go to Egypt, they traveled to the next best place: the Golden Pyramids in Wadsworth.

While at the Golden Pyramids last Wednesday the campers were able to tour the pyramids and museum, learn about the history of the pyramid house, and even saw a replica of King Tut’s tomb.

A combination of 72 campers, staff and parents made the trip.

“We felt like we stepped out of Lake County and went to Egypt and then two hours later we came back,” said Frank Davis, executive director of the Lindenhurst Early Childhood Center.

The six-story high, 17,000-square-foot Golden Pyramid house, located at 37921 North Dilleys Road in Wadsworth, was built by Jim and Linda Onan, who currently reside there.

The property has a 55-foot King Ramses II replica, a moat and a pyramid house that was once 24-karat electro gold-plated, among many other extravagant Egyptian themed items. Jim Onan said he had to take the electro gold plating off the pyramid because his neighbors complained it was too blinding.

Rocko Onan, the tour guide and Jim’s son, said he thought the kids liked their visit.

“It was probably the youngest group of kids I have had,” he said. “They all seemed like they enjoyed it. When we went into the tomb they all loved the tomb and thought it was the coolest thing.”

The World Travelers visited the Golden Pyramids as part of their week studying ancient Egypt.

“The kids absolutely loved it,” Davis said. “They came back and were so excited. As the parents would walk in I would listen to a number of kids and they would say ‘We went to the pyramids!’ To them they went to the pyramids. It was so realistic.”

The World Travelers summer program aims to make the campers feel as if they are really taking trips to different parts of the world each week.

Monday through Friday the campers get to experience different activities with themes incorporating the different countries or regions they are “visiting” that week.

Through the 11 week program the campers have traveled to places like Japan, Australia, Africa and Portugal.

The World Travelers program is currently in its fifth year and doesn’t have any signs of stopping.

“I think it’s a tremendously popular program in the community and we look forward to doing it for years to come,” Davis said. “I don’t think you could ever end this. I think it could go on and on.”