Coastguard summer programme commences

The St Vincent and the Grenadines Coastguard Bank of SVG and Sagicor Youth Development Programme, rated as one of the most sought after youth initiatives across the country, started in earnest on Monday, July 11, 2015.

The youth summer programme, coordinated by petty officer Kenlet Francis, will be held in three phases: Phase One – July 11 – July 19; {{more}}Phase Two – July 25 – August 2 and Phase Three – August 8 – 16. A sports day will follow on August 17 and the curtains will come down on the programme on August 20.

The programme, which is in its 23rd year, will be focusing on team building.

“We try to build tolerance. We realize that some youths these days don’t have tolerance, so we have decided to engage them in conflict resolution. Even though people have different views, they should be able to come together and still work as a team,” said PO Francis.

PO Francis added: “In the Coastguard, we have to come together and always work as a team. So, we are trying to promote the same spirit in the programme.”

The programme, which has benefitted 2,037 participants to date, will be focusing on the topics ‘Conflict Resolution’, ‘Human Sexuality’, ‘Personal and Leadership Development’, ‘Nutrition and the Importance of Healthy Diet’, ‘Navigation’, ‘Knots and Splices’, ‘Boat Handling’ and ‘Safety at Sea’. This year’s participants will also be engaging in a community project.

Participants will also participate in swimming sessions.

PO Francis said the objective of this year’s programme is to ensure that participants are able to demonstrate a higher level of maturity than when they initially came to the programme, make wise choices, be better public speakers and learn table etiquette.