Campers attending Project S.O.F.T. 2016 surrounding Project Manager with the Sandy Lane Charitable Trust, Jacqui Cuke (centre) and Community Programme Officer at the NCSA, Makeada Bourne (right). (NCSA) (FP)

Project S.O.F.T. (Safeguarding Our Future Today) 2018, hosted by the National Council on Substance Abuse (NCSA) will kick off on Sunday, August 26, at the Marian Retreat House, Verdun, St. John.

The one-week residential camp, now in its 16th year, is designed to expose 40 students to the various changes they will undergo as they transition into teenagers focusing on the theme: Know the Facts…Make the Choice.

On Monday, August 27, students will be engaged in a session conducted by the NCSA entitled: Social Graces, Etiquette and Good Manners, beginning at 9:00 a.m. This will be followed by one on Adolescent Development and Abstinence, which will be conducted by a representative from the Barbados Family Planning Association, from 10:30 a.m.

During the afternoon, campers will engage in self-esteem building activities with staff of the NCSA, with sessions entitled: Healthy Me Happy Me at 1:00 p.m.  They will also engage in creative sessions and games before ending the day with a treasure hunt at 7:00 p.m.

The following day, Tuesday, August 28, 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.

At 10:30 a.m., they will learn about HIV/AIDS – The Link to Drug Use conducted by a representative from the Culture, Sports and Youth, and at 1:00 p.m.,

the campers will engage in a Stress Management session conducted by NCSA officials. After dinner that day, they will engage in a Peer Pressure and Peer Refusal Skills session from 7:00 p.m.

NCSA staff will conduct a session on Controlling Your Anger on Wednesday, August 29, at 9:00 a.m., followed by another on Self-Management at 10:30 a.m. There will also be a Positive Decision Making session conducted by the NCSA, beginning at 1:00 p.m. The day will conclude with a Talent Show/Karaoke session at 7:00 p.m.

Campers will have an opportunity to tour the prison at H.M.P. Dodds on Thursday, August 30, beginning at 9:00 a.m. before returning to camp for team sports facilitated by the NCSA at 1:00 p.m.

A camp fire and movie night at 7:00 p.m. will bring the curtain down on the day’s activities.

On Friday, August 31, the Criminal Justice Research and Planning Unit will lead the session on Bullying at 9:00 a.m., followed by the NCSA and their segment on Boy Talk/Girl Talk at 10:30 a.m.

Nutritionist, Nicole Griffith, will engage campers in a session called Nutrition and Health, beginning at 1:00 p.m. The campers will end the day with a Buss Ya Brain HIV and Drugs session at 7:00 p.m.

As the camp winds down, the NCSA will empower campers on Effective Communication on Saturday, September 1, at 9:00 a.m.

Campers will engage in creative sessions from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. and sporting activities between 4:30 and 5:30 p.m., daily, except on Thursday, August 30, Sports Day.

julia.rawlins-bentham@barbados.gov.bb

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