The Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force will again this year stage programmes to assist in keeping the nation’s youth meaningfully occupied during the summer vacation.{{more}}

The Police Band’s Summer Programme, which is into its third year, will commence on Monday, July 19, 2010, with an opening ceremony at Old Montrose Police Station, at 10:00 a.m. This programme will run for five weeks from Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 12 noon, catering for young persons, ages 9-14 years old.

They will be taught both theoretical and practical aspects of music using instruments such as the Clarinet, Saxophone, Flute, Trombone, French Horn, Steel Pan and Drum Set, among others.

The SVG Coast Guard Summer Program, which was started in 1993, will again train some 120 teenagers, ages 14-18years, over a three week period. Three batches comprising 40 youths each will undergo one week of instruction in areas such as Seamanship, Navigation, Leadership Development, Boat Handling, Safety at Sea, Swimming and Life Saving and Knots and Splices. Social topics including, Leadership Development, Substance Abuse and Prevention, Conflict Resolution, Human Sexuality and Social and Professional Etiquette will also be taught.

The Coast Guard Summer Programme is again sponsored by Sagicor and the National Commercial Bank and commences on July 26 2010.

Phase One ended on July 31, Phase Two will run from August 3 – 7, and Phase three from August 16 -21.

Meanwhile, several Pan Against Crime Summer Programmes are scheduled to begin on Monday, July 19, 2010, throughout St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

All of the steel bands, established through the Pan Against Crime Initiative, with assistance from the Social Investment Fund, will conduct training for new young players. These bands are Georgetown, South Central Windward, South East, Symphonix, North Stars, Canouan and Union Island Steel Orchestras.

Potential and Elite Steel Orchestras will also conduct Pan Against Crime Summer Programmes.

Each Band is expected to train approximately 30 youths. This programme will run until August 13, with sessions conducted 9 am -12 noon, three days per week.