KAILUA-KONA — Dusty Boyd knows how to draw attention to a cause.
Not too long ago, the South Kona resident and operator of the D&E Fuel Good Stop Store in Captain Cook, set out to climb three of the world’s tallest mountains, including Everest, just to help fund his 1,500-square foot athletic training center and a nearly football-sized field.
Now Boyd is looking for a new adventure, and this time he has set his sights on the Grand Canyon, where he, along with Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Michael Arnold, will battle temperatures of more than 100 degrees just to traverse the South Kaibab Trail, a 25-mile, one-way trek, with an 8,000 foot rise, not once, but four times.
But what is Boyd hiking for this time? Well, it’s to bring attention to his keiki camp. The 5th annual event will take place June 11-14 and is available for kids ages 6-13.
“This camp is my favorite thing in the world,” Boyd said. “Obesity and diabetes are big problems and the camp helps kids learn to be more active, to leave technology behind and get moving.”
Boyd has a “no technology” rule when kids are on his land for the camp, when they come to help pick food from the garden, or are helping with the store.
“I am pretty old school,” Boyd said. “In today’s world, everyone is constantly on their cell phone. It doesn’t hurt the kids to take their phones away for just half a day.”
Boyd not only hopes that his camp and athletic center will help keiki learn the value of fitness, he also hopes they will take the values they learn home with them and spread their new-found knowledge to their parents, siblings and extended family, making the community as a whole a healthier place to live.
That is why this year on the final day of his camp — thanks to funding by his hiking partner, Arnold — Boyd will host an ohana dodgeball tournament that is free to everyone.
“Michael liked what we were doing down here and he wanted to help out,” Boyd said. “This is what we were able to come up with to give back to the community.”
The dodgeball tournament will take place June 11 and last from 9 a.m. to noon. There will also be a bounce house and a free food buffet.
To attend the full four-day camp, which runs from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., the cost is $20 per kid. Activities include volleyball, dodgeball, kickball, baseball, cooking classes, hula, and arts and crafts.
The highlight of the camp is a decathlon, which tests children in many different sports.
“It is a great feeling to see these kids growing and working hard,” Boyd said. “I see these kids coming into the store now and getting a banana or and apple instead of a Three Musketeers bar. They are starting to make changes on their own.”
Boyd eventually hopes to take his camp to the next level and turn it into an after school program, but finding volunteers has been the most challenging part of the growth. However, his older sister, Toni Boyd-Morrison, soon will join him down south. The retired teacher of 21 years may allow the South Kona resident the chance to finally achieve his next dream.
“She is super active and a fourth degree black belt,” Boyd said. “When she gets here we will have more time to try and take that next step. The goal has always been to do much more.”
Anyone interested in attending the kieki camp can sign up at the D&E Fuel Good Stop. Boyd anticipates nearly 50 kids will attend the camp this year.