Five summer campers recently received prizes for their efforts in a recycling competition organized by the Salisbury Parks and Recreation Department.

City officials sponsored a competition between all sites for summer day camps, as well as individual competition by all summer campers.

The City Park site, supervised by Peggy Baxter Barnhardt, took top site honors, collecting more than 2,300 cans. Competition rules required each city site to create a serpent by connecting cans and decorating the serpent's head and tail.

The contest climaxed with the "ultimate smash and dash contest to prepare the cans for the recycling center," Barnhardt said.

Local businesses helped the campers by saving cans for recycling and also donating prizes for the campers. Campers also enjoyed a pizza party at the end.

The top individual winners and the business sponsoring their prize were:

* First, Jimmy Smith, $100 gift certificate to Wal-Mart, donated by Time Warner Cable.

* Second, Kendra Oglesby, $20 Wal-Mart gift certificate, provided by Nationwide Insurance-China Grove, and $10 gift certificate to Party Connection, provided by Party Connection.

* Third, Alex Shumaker, skateboard donated by Southeastern Plumbing.

* Fourth, Maren Shumaker, scooter donated by Southeastern Plumbing.

* Fifth, Donte Bonhomme, Leap Pad Set, provided by Main Street Store.

Parks Department officials also handed out awards for good conduct and campers of the week.

City Consignment Store and Fine Frame Gallery also supported the summer program, Barnhardt said.