The Youth Department in the Ministry of Information, Culture, Youth and Sport staged the annual 2004 Residential Summer Camp from July 18th to 27th. The event was held at the Sandy Point Primary School and catered to approximately 160 children (ages 8 to 16). The Naismith International Basketball Foundation (NIBF) returned as the primary sponsor of the camp continuing their longstanding relationship with St. Kitts. “Developing Children for Today and Tomorrow” served as the camp theme with emphasis on “Supporting Regional Integration.”
This is the story of Group Leader Candice Reid.
Candice Reid was born in Jamaica 18 years ago. She lost her father at the age of seven and was orphaned at age nine when her mother also died. The parents left behind seven children, but Candice shared a bond with only one of them. A younger sister who lived with her. The nine year old was troubled. She was estranged from her older siblings and felt it best to become a ward of the state at a children’s home in Kingston, rather than moving in with her relatives. However, this meant being separated from her 8-year-old sister. She said life at the home has taught her many lessons. Lessons she was able to draw on as a group leader at the Residential Summer Camp.
Ian Richards: “Is this your first year at a camp like this?
Candice Reid: “Yes.”
Richards: “How did you get involved in this camp?”
Candice Reid: “I met Ian Naismith (Founder of NIBF) and Renee Digulio (President of NIBF) in Jamaica at the home (in 1999). Last Christmas, Renee asked me if I would be interested in going to a camp in St. Kitts that they have every year and I said yes, no doubt.”
It was the first time she stepped foot on foreign soil but Candice stressed that she felt right at home.
Richards: “Being from Jamaica, did you find it difficult to fit in?”
Candice Reid: “No. I just went ahead and fit right in,” she explained beaming with the self-confidence that she said was developed and nurtured at the children’s facility.
Richards: “Is St. Kitts a lot like Jamaica?
Candice Reid: “Yes, some parts … only the money (currency value) is different.
Richards: “How is your relationship with the other members of staff?
Candice Reid: “I relate to them just like everyone else. The staff here is very much like the staff in Jamaica … at the children’s home. I respect them and they respect me. I have no problems.
The 18-year-old woman was the co-leader for Dorm Montserrat – each dorm at camp was named after a CARICOM country. Her duties were challenging. Each group leader had to be awake before the 5:00 a.m. rise time for campers. The daily schedule was packed with activities ranging from classes such as computer, drumming and taekwondo along with specials including hiking, talent show, sports day, talent competition and a banquet at the St. Kitts Marriott Resort. Lights out time was usually after 11:30 p.m. Candice was grateful for the 10-day experience, which she said, was enjoyable.
Richards: “Did you find being a camp leader overwhelming?”
Candice Reid: “All my years (in the home), I have been around children. So I know how to deal with children and what they like and don’t like. … What I gave to the camp, the children in my dorm, I helped them to gain high self-esteem. I have a high self-esteem because my mother and father died and that didn’t stop me.”
Richards: “What did you learn from the camp?”
Candice Reid: “I learnt a lot. T-shirt design. I didn’t know how to spray a T-shirt before but now I can do a little thing,” she explained with her distinct Jamaican accent. Richards: “What’s your best memory from camp?”
Candice Reid: “The children. Meeting new people. Everything.
Richards: “How do you feel about Ian (Naismith) and Renee (Digulio)?”
Candice Reid: “I love them. Those two people came into my life (5 years ago) and I just love them. I wanted a mother and a father … and Renee is like my mother and Ian is like a dad. It’s a dream come true.”
Candice feels that this experience is a step toward achieving a future with a higher calling. She pointed to an encounter before she came to St. Kitts where a religious group from California visited the institution in Jamaica. The pastor called her to the front and told said “he sees strong leadership qualities in her.” Three weeks later, Candice visited a church and another visiting religious figure – this time from New York – told her the same thing.
It may be some years before the meaning of those prophetic words are realised. As for the immediate future, Candice said she is focussed on completing her training in telemarketing and is eager to get a job and earn sufficient funds to move out of the home and into an apartment with her younger sister. Candice Reid also hopes to continue what she has started.
Richards: “Do you want to come back next year?”
Candice Reid: “If I have the opportunity, sure. I would love to come back.”
