Project S.O.F.T participants. (NCSA)

Project S.O.F.T participants. (NCSA)

Project S.O.F.T. (Safeguarding Our Future Today) 2016, hosted by the National Council on Substance Abuse (NCSA), will kick off on Monday, August 29, at the Marian Retreat House, Verdun, St. John.

The one-week residential camp, now in its 14th year, is designed to expose 40 students to the various changes they will undergo as they transition into teenagers. It will focus on the theme: Know the Facts…Make the Choice.

On Monday, August 29, students will be engaged in a session entitled: Adolescent Development and Abstinence, which will be conducted by Social Worker with the Barbados Family Planning Association, Kerri-Ann Hurley, beginning at 1:00 p.m.

The following day, Tuesday, August 30, students will learn how to Stay Drug Free during a session led by Programme Officer at the NCSA, Makeada Bourne, from 9:00 a.m.

Then at 10:30 a.m. that same day, they will learn about HIV/AIDS – The Link to Drug Use, conducted by Youth Development Officer in the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, Fabian Sargeant. Programme Officer at the NCSA, Paulavette Atkinson, will follow on from this topic during the afternoon half with: Sports Not Drugs, which begins at 1:00 p.m.

NCSA Volunteer and renowned singer, Paula Hinds, will speak to the students about Controlling Your Anger on Wednesday, August 31, at 9:00 a.m., while officers from the Royal Barbados Police Force, will address the issue of Juvenile Delinquency at 10:30 a.m. the same day.

There will also be a Positive Decision Making session conducted by Group Leader, Ryan Clarke, on Wednesday, August 31, beginning at 1:00 p.m., followed by a Peer Pressure and Peer Refusal Skills session hosted by Resource Person, Carl Padmore at 7:00 p.m.

Students will then be treated to the Dining Club Experience during a tour of the Dining Club for a practical demonstration on Thursday, October 1, beginning at 10:30 a.m. On Friday, October 2, NCSA Counsellor, Dionne Bowie, will teach the students about Stress Management, beginning at 10:30 a.m.

julia.rawlins-bentham@barbados.gov.bb

Pin It on Pinterest