BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – IN its continued efforts of contributing to the development of the nation’s youth, the St. Kitts-Nevis Defence Force (SKNDF), in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, today (Apr. 18) held an opening ceremony at Camp Springfield for its Second Easter Youth Music Camp.
The four-day camp (Apr. 15 – 18) running from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., will see members of the SKNDF’s Band Corps teaching over 100 youths about Woodwind instruments, Brass instruments, Drums and Discipline.
In his opening remarks, Lieutenant Sylvester Charles said he is pleased that the children wanted to be there and is grateful that their parents took the initiative of sending them.
“You could have been running around causing havoc, but you decided to be here and I believe that is a good thing.” Lt Charles said.
A detailed explanation was given of what the programme entails by Woman Sergeant Carolyn Adams.
She said that in addition to music, the children would be taught Basic Foot Drills every morning, and that they would also be exposed to both military and Congo drums.
Adams explained that the children would be going on a field trip, where they would be given the opportunity to observe a number of professionals at work, including members of the Coast Guard.
Addressing the children, Director of Music Captain Nigel Williams said that at the end of the camp he expects them to be able to demonstrate what they learned.
Representing the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Director of Youth Jeffery Hanley said the camp is aimed at improving the society.
Hanley noted that although the children would be trained for only four days, it is designed to last throughout their lives. He promised to visit the camp from time to time to observe their progress.
The Youth Music Camp was declared open by Commander of the SKNDF, Lieutenant Colonel Patrick Wallace, who said that he wished if it could run for more than four days but finance was an issue.
He said getting the business community to support this initiative is his desired wish for next year’s camp.
Lt Col Wallace also hopes that at the end of the camp, the children would have learnt not just the art of music, but also how to control themselves and do what they have to do in the manner and time they are suppose to do it.
He ended by encouraging the students to not only respect the instructors at the camp but also themselves and everyone else.
The ceremony ended with Corporal Carl Osborne thanking the sponsors and also the parents for sending their children to the camp.
Among the instructors is Private Elvis Thomas, who said that the children would be taught both theory and practical music at the camp. He is trained music teacher and also a trained Social Worker,.
“It is not just a music camp but a comprehensive camp as well. They are going to learn about every type of instrument. We are not going to just teach them about music, we are also going to show them how to play the instruments. So they would be doing both theory and practical,” Thomas said.
In a brief interview, Lt Charles told SKNVibes that the objective of the camp is to reach the community through the youths and to help them develop a love for music as well as the military. He emphasised that the organisers would also be focusing on teaching the children discipline and respect.
Charles said too that on completion of the training programme, it is hoped that the children would want to join the military when they are of age.
The Easter Youth Music Camp was organised by Captain Williams, Lt Charles, Corporal Carl Osborne, Woman Sergeant Adams, Woman Corporal Gizelle Williams and Private Cloris Wilkinson.
Apart from the Music Camp, the Defence Force’s Band Corps is engaged in a Beginners’ Music Programme which is held every Tuesday and Thursday.
