Children Benefit from SDC Summer Camps

Community development necessitates a multifaceted approach to advance the society, and its individual members alike.

This international best practice is not lost on the Social Development Commission (SDC), as they target the 7-17 years age group through their wholistic community summer camps.

During the months of July and August, youth from approximately 170 districts in 40 communities islandwide were engaged in 41 SDC summer camps.

Facilitated in comfortable environments for learning and socializing, the SDC brought valuable information and learning opportunities directly to the impressionable minds of the younger generation.

“The SDC’s summer camps were organized to engage participants in team building, sports, social and inter-personal and self-empowerment activities as well as enhance participants abilities to apply dispute and conflict management techniques,” Senior Programmes Coordinator at the SDC, Terrence Richards, told JIS News.

In addition, the 2,700 youth who participated benefitted from guidance in career development choices, nutrition, safety and security, social graces, communication skills and emotional development.

The knowledge was imparted through interactive sessions with representatives from partner agencies including government and non-government organisations, private sector entities and community-based groups.

The young campers received practical tips from the Jamaica Fire Brigade on how to be fire safe at home and at school, as well as first-hand experience fitting safety gear used in firefighting.

The participants also benefitted from oral and other hygiene information from Health Departments and learned how to apply conflict resolutions techniques from Restorative Justice Centres.

One happy camper from the Mandeville-based summer camp, beamed with delight over her satisfaction with all she learned during her time at the camp.

“I enjoyed this camp! I was not sure I would like it but, on the Wednesday, I was the earliest to arrive. I learned the importance of being respectful to everyone including myself. I learned how to set the dinner table and how to sit around it. I even created a vision board…I wasn’t sure what it was until the camp,” 15-year-old, Abigail Pink shared.

Abigail said the instructors and presenters were friendly and the information shared was also enjoyable.

The parents were also not left out, as many were closely involved in the implementation of the camps, by volunteering their services and engaging in sessions on effective parenting skills.

This afforded parents the opportunity to see the effects of the SDC summer camps first-hand in the behaviour and mannerisms of their children.

“This is the best thing that has ever happened to my daughter as she is not used to socializing with others and she has now become more sociable. I am looking forward to camp next time around,” said parent, Tahira Archer, whose daughter participated in the camps in Westmoreland.

As a bonus, most of the camp activities concluded with back-to-school treats, where needed school supplies were presented to participants.

Meanwhile, Executive Director of the SDC, Dr. Dwayne Vernon, assured that the Commission will capitalise on the gains made through the camps and see to it that they are sustained.

“All youth engaged in the SDC summer camp 2022, will be monitored consistently by the SDC Officer Corp islandwide, to ensure that children are adapting to the skills learnt. This action will facilitate the SDC’s planning of phase two of this intervention project during the 2022 Christmas school break,” Dr. Vernon stated.

The Social Development Commission is the principal community organization working with Jamaica’s 775 communities to promote the advancement of sport, social, cultural, and economic development for the people of Jamaica.