Brittany Wise | News-Gazette Samuel Gaither, Grayson County's Camper of the Week, shows off his new bicycle along with Sheriff Rick Clemons.

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8-year-old Samuel Gaither was thrilled to be chosen to spend a week at the Kentucky Sheriff’s Boy sand Girls Ranch, but things were not all fun and games - he had a goal, and that was to be named ‘Camper of the Week’ and win his very own bicycle.

Boys from 17 counties across Kentucky attended the summer camp during Gaither’s week there, which began June 9, but he was not deterred from his mission to be the best of the best during his stay.

Throughout the week, he was able to participate in fishing, archery, swimming, sports, arts and crafts and a number of fun and education programs ranging from drug awareness to fire prevention.

The camp’s Executive Director, Jerry Wagner, said, “It should be a week filled with fun and learning for the campers. We hope the campers create a lifetime of memories during their stay, as well as learn the values of respect and many other life skills.”

Gaither did had fun and create some wonderful memories, but he also exhibited exemplary behavior throughout the wide variety of activities and social time, and his effort did not go unnoticed.

At the end of the week, when it was time to award the ‘Camper of the Week,’ Gaither was recognized as the first runner-up for the spot.

While he was disappointed to not be taking home a new bicycle, his spirits were not dampened and he returned back to Grayson County along with Sheriff Rick Clemons and his wife, Jill.

What Gaither did not know was that the Clemonses had decided to honor his efforts with a new award - the ‘Grayson County Camper of the Week.’ The prize to go along with the new title was, of course, a new bicycle!

“Samuel’s a great kid,” the sheriff said, “and we wanted to do this for him.”

On Tuesday afternoon the staff of the Grayson County Sheriff’s Department surprised the brightly-smiling Gaither with his new, green bicycle.