The season for sports camps is on

The full season of sports camps is upon us again. One cannot keep up or keep check with the numbers, as there are camps here, camps there, camps everywhere.

For almost each sporting discipline practised here in St Vincent and the Grenadines, there is some activity for young people to get involved.{{more}}

In the main, most of the camps are free of cost to the participants, which in turn eases that burden on parents who perhaps would not be able to afford it if a cost were to be attached. Commendations must be extended to those who give of their time, resources and expertise to the camps.

Similarly, gratitude goes out to the corporate entities which extend their hands of benevolence to the holders of the camps; they too, play a pivotal part in ensuring the realization of the planned activities.

To all intents and purposes, the various camps in some way aid, even in a miniscule form, in the development of sports here.

The purpose of the sports camps, as one understands, is to expose the participants to the sport in a fun and informative atmosphere, while building self-confidence and teaching valuable lessons in teamwork and fair play.

As an add-on, they learn basic skills and rules, plus get an opportunity to play, which some otherwise are deprived of, for one reason or another.

What is common, however, is that everyone wants to ensure that the students are kept occupied during the long July/August vacation.

Inasmuch as these camps are welcomed at this time, the ease with which they are allowed to spring up and go on seamlessly without checks should be of concern.

Such well-meaning efforts can be counter-productive and even more damaging to the specific discipline being engaged in during the camp.

Therefore, how many of these camps are sanctioned by the respective national associations? On the other hand, some national associations do not see it necessary to host such; hence, those individuals and organizations who choose to do so have a free passage.

In the cases where the parent bodies have given the go-ahead, are the planned programmes submitted?

Or in the cases of those associations that have technical directors in place, are these programmes scrutinized to ensure that they are in concert with the national outlook and scope?

Or are these national associations just groping in the dark as well, therefore what takes place just evolves?

Ideally, these camps should have as their goals desired skills sets, which should emerge from these sports camps, whereby improvements in certain technical aspects should be monitored.

What comes out of these camps?

Certainly, new talent is often unearthed; conversely, there are other social pluses and drawbacks, as well as interpersonal traits come to the fore.

But what are done with the findings? Are the participants better off after the camps?

Are the new and potential talents which were identified forwarded to the national associations for future harnessing?

The time may be fast approaching for some regulations be instituted for these camps, both for the national good of sports, as well as for the well-meaning persons who find the time to do so.

This should be the case, as what is taught and learned at these camps impacts on the national framework of whatever sporting discipline is the target.

Similarly, holders of the camps have to begin to properly organize and document their programmes for accountability and legal purposes.

There is that impression that many camps are loosely run, some without the knowledge of parents and guardians.

Many parents are glad to get their children out of their houses, but are equally concerned that their children are in a safe and trusted environment.

On the other hand, there are others who could not care less, as the camps serve as a baby sitter’s programme for them.

Whatever the case, the annual sports camps which germinate around this time of year are generally meaningful, but some other mechanisms are needed.

Those who have the will, the moral authority or the legal jurisdiction to do such is another matter.