The Northern Zone took the top prizes yesterday at the inaugural Summer Camp Cultural Extravaganza Competition, where over 6000 campers converged to support their respective zones.

It was held at the Wildey Gymnasium, under the theme "Creating a New Path of Excellence" and included performances in song, dance, poetry and drama.

Soloist, Jamal Slocombe from the Half Moon Fort Primary School camp in St. Lucy was victorious in the 10-15 year old category, while in the four to nine group, campers from the Desmond Haynes Sports Complex, were judged the winners.

According to Youth Minister Stephen Lashley, who addressed the campers before the competition, the performances highlighted the various talents of the campers.

"Within the national agenda for Barbados we are stressing the cultural industries.?? The involvement of our young people in the camp in terms of culture should be seen within that context," Mr. Lashley said.

He noted that the competition may be open to parents and the wider public to attend next year.??

"We will make a determination as to the shape of this event for next year… Watching some of the presentations I am sure that the rest of Barbados would enjoy actually being a part of that.?? As you can see, the Gymnasium is bursting at its seams and if we were to do that we would have to make it an outdoor event or schedule it in different ways but we will look at it to see the different possibilities," Mr. Lashley added.

The objective of the competition was to create a memorable experience for the campers, to empower them and to further develop culture among the youth.??

The judges were international actress, Alison Sealy-Smith (Chief Judge) musicians, David "Ziggy" Walcott, Dave Jackman and Captain Errol Brathwaite; dancers, Justin Poloen and Philip King; and dramatist, Antoine Williams.??

The campers were also treated to a performance by this year’s Party Monarch, Soca Royale and Tune of The Crop winner, Anderson ???Blood’ Armstrong.??lbayley@barbados.gov.bb????????????????????

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