Adolescent Health Youth Camp begins

Fifty-two young Vincentians between the ages of 7 and 19 are getting an opportunity to develop skills in critical areas that can contribute to their overall development, in a camp staged on Union Island.{{more}}

The initiative is part of the Adolescent Health, a component of the National Family Planning Programme. The 10th annual camp which started on Monday, July 14, 2008, will run until Tuesday, July 22, 2008, under the theme: “Empowering Adolescents to the Challenges of the 21st Century.”

The participants are being engaged in areas covering physical, social, educational and spiritual activities. These areas have broadened to include self esteem; goal setting; personal hygiene; skills training; cookery; tie-dying; and conflict management.

On the lighter side, sporting activities have been organized by the Department of Sports to keep the participants well entertained.

On Wednesday, July 16, 2008, the youths, as part of their programme, participated in a clean-up campaign in which they cleaned the Clifton back road all the way to the Quarry.

They also had the opportunity to hike historical sites on the island such as the Forts and visit the Tobago Cays.

“I think it is a good venture because we are bringing teenagers to work together in an environment where they can interact with each other and develop their interpersonal skills. They are also learning to liaise and link with other people,” said Sister Naomi Prince, Co-ordinator of the Camp.

Sister Prince used the opportunity to thank the 12 volunteers who have assisted her in making the camp a reality, as well as the Assistant Coordinator, Sylvester King, of the Youth Department. Praise was ushered on Yvette McDowall, Patsy Caruth, Roselle Solomon and Shanda London, while Sister Aneke Wilson of the Pan American Health Organization was given special commendation for initially starting the original camp 10 years ago, and Clayton Ollivierre of the Health Promotion Unit, for helping to organize the current camp.