Road Town, Tortola - The Department of Youths Affair and Sports is inviting the general public to their 2010 Summer Youth Development Programme Registration Fair scheduled for Thursday, June 10.

The programme consists of five main areas namely Youth Development, Youth Service/Vigilant Seafarer, Summer Apprenticeship, Junior Scientist Programmes and Sports Camp.

The Youth Development activities offer exposure to enrichment activities, such as arts and craft, recreation, fieldtrips and storytelling. These activities are structured to cultivate innate talents and interests in the youth. This programme targets youth ages 5 to 18 and runs from July 5 to 30.

The Youth Service/Vigilant Seafarers Programme, which begins on July 5 for the first session and August 9 for the second session, is for high school-aged youths from 14 to 18. This programme offers opportunities to experience the BVI through structured community service activities, in which participants get to enjoy the outdoors, and travel to the Sister Islands.

The Summer Apprenticeship programme is an on the job training and/or classroom instruction in which participants learn the practical and theoretical aspects of a skilled occupation in areas such as plumbing, welding electrical wiring, construction amongst other trades. This programme targets youth ages 16 to 25 and runs from July 5 through August 31.

The Junior Scientist programme is open for youth ages 14 to 18. The programme, which runs from July 5 to 31, exposes the participants to the various natural resources available to the residents of the Virgin Islands. Participants will take part in activities that will bring enhancement and knowledge to conserving these resources.

The sports camp, which will commence from July 5 to 31, is for youth ages 5 to 18. This programme aims to impart basic to advance athletic skills in different sporting areas, including basketball, football, lawn tennis, martial arts, badminton, squash and table tennis. Participants will learn skills of teamwork and good sportsmanship.

The Youth Development activities and the Sports Camp have a cost of $45. The Youth Service/Vigilant Seafarers programme and the Junior Scientist programme have a cost of $50 and $25, respectively. Registration for the Summer Apprenticeship programme is free.

Registration deadline for the Summer Youth Development Programme is Friday, June 25. Additionally, DYAS is informing interested persons that applications are now available at the department for persons wishing to work in DYAS Summer Youth Development programme and the deadline for submission is Friday, June 11.

According to the department this year’s Summer Youth Development Programme will be filled with excitement and enrichment for participating youths through activities designed to provide lots of fun, knowledge and skills.
For more information or to pick up registration forms persons can contact the DYAS via email at dyas@gov.vg or at 494-6860.

The Department of Youth Affairs and Sports, comes under the Ministry of Education and Culture and was launched in May, 2004. Part of the mission of the DYAS is to cultivate an environment through policy formation, programme development and community partnership where every British Virgin Islands young person is equipped and empowered to be a healthy and active contributing member of society.