Those parents who are interested in having their children participate in Government’s free National Summer Camp Programme should register them as soon as possible.

That is the message being sent by the Ministry of Youth, Family and Sports as preparations are in high gear for the start of Camp Odyssey, the official designation of the summer camp.

Registration forms may be collected from the Ministry of Youth, Family and Sports, the Elsie Payne Complex, Constitution Road, St. Michael; the Youth Entrepreneurship Scheme, Ground Floor, S.P Musson Building, Hincks Street, Bridgetown; or any primary or secondary school. They may also be downloaded from the web site http://www.youthaffairs.gov.bb/.

Completed forms must be returned to the Ministry of Youth, Family and Sports, by 4:00 p.m. next Friday, June 26.

Further information may be obtained by calling the Youth Department at 430-2811.

Government expects to put on a total of 70 free camps catering to about 7,000 children, between the ages of four and 15. These will be held in the 11 parishes across the island, from Monday, July 6, to Friday, August 14.

Camps will offer their own individual programmes, but there will be certain core subjects which will be taught at all the camps. These include a cultural and arts programme, a course which will introduce the children to film, and a soccer programme.

There will also be scenic tours for campers and an inter-camp soccer competition at the end.

Meanwhile, young persons, 16 years of age and over, are still being invited to register as Camp Assistants for the programme. Forms may be collected from any Camp Director, or the Ministry of Youth, Family and Sports, or downloaded from the web site http://www.youthaffairs.gov.bb/. Requests may also be e-mailed to divyouthbarbados@gmail.com. The deadline is also Friday, June 26.

Prime Minister, David Thompson, in the 2008 Financial Statement and Budgetary Proposals announced that a National Summer Camp Programme would be introduced to ensure children were involved in wholesome activities during their vacation, under the supervision of adults. He had pointed out at that time that camp directors would also focus on rebuilding community values.

"Our young children are most vulnerable to undesirable attention from others who mean them no good, and are more likely to be tempted into trouble during the long periods during school holidays when many of these children are idle," Mr. Thompson stated.

Camps are also held during the Christmas and Easter holidays.

saustin@barbados.gov.bb

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