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| Senior Youth Officer Dave Connor |
Basseterre, St. Kitts (July 08, 2004): The Youth Department of the Ministry of Information, Culture, Youth and Sport is poised to welcome 160 children to it’s 21st annual Residential Summer Camp in ten days.
The camp, which caters for youths ages 8 to 16 years, will be held at the Sandy Point Primary School from July 18 - 27. This year’s event carries the theme “Developing Children for Today and Tomorrow.”
Senior Youth Officer Dave Connor told SKNIS that the camp courses were designed to promote the spiritual, physical, intellectual, artistic and creative abilities of participants.
Computer, woodwork, cooking, drumming, dancing, art and craft, fabric design and sport are returning this year. New classes cover taekwondo, kite making, platting of palm leaves and mas making.
A camp official indicated that the new areas were suggestions received via feedback from past participants and recommendations aired on the popular youth radio show ‘Elements of Surprise.’ Lessons on etiquette, personal hygiene along with field trips, storytelling and fireworks are planned.
Guest speakers will also provide advice on HIV/AIDS, drug awareness, children and juvenile laws and regional integration.
Mr. Connor said regional integration is a major focus as several persons from Nevis, St. Lucia, and Jamaica will participate in the camp. Information on the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME), the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) and other regional policies will be presented.
Perhaps the most exciting feature for 2004 is the debut of ‘Kidz Talk.’ This is a live feature which will allow camp group representatives to interact with top government officials and other dignitaries in a town hall-styled fashion.
Camp organisers are working to have the session broadcast live on radio and television. The programme takes place at the St. Kitts Marriott Resort, after the campers dance the night away at a banquet.
A number of business houses including TDC, and St. Kitts Marriott Resort have joined with the Naismith Foundation and the executing agency, the Ministry of Information, Culture, Youth and Sport, in sponsoring the camp.
