Children have fun at Social Services Easter Day Camp

Basseterre, St. Kitts, April 11, 2013 (SKNIS): The Conaree Community Centre has become a fun learning atmosphere thanks to staff of Social Services and partners who have transformed the venue into an Easter Day Camp.

The Camp which began Monday, April 08 is hosting 50 children, from the 10 Social Services zones island-wide, who are experiencing short talks, going on nature walks and tours to water facilities, a Scenic Railway Tour, creating art and craft and poetry all centred around the theme: “The Nature of Water – its usages and conservation.”

SKNIS Photo: Ms. Rattan explains the theme to Campers	Youth Empowerment Photo: Azilla Clarke, Dir. of Social and Community Development addresses Campers

The children are currently experiencing what had been promised at the Opening Ceremony by Ms. Sharon Rattan Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Community Development, Culture and Gender Affairs.

“I know all of you know, from Kindergarten, that water is very important for us to live because we have to eat, we have to bathe and we have to keep our environment clean,” Ms. Rattan emphasized. “So you’re going to be learning something very important. I know you have learnt a lot in school but this camp, I want to emphasize, would be fun.”

Youth Empowerment Photo: Campers enjoy art	Youth Empowerment Photo: Campers enjoy chalk art

Ms. Rattan also addressed the issue of conserving water.

“One of the main things we want you to learn from this, is that everybody has a responsibility to conserve water,” Permanent Secretary Rattan noted. “We cannot just depend on the rain, we cannot just depend on our natural water catchments areas, we cannot just depend on what’s in our reservoirs. We also have to learn how to conserve. That means to protect what we have – to save and protect what we have.”

Youth Empowerment Photo: Dr. Halla Sahely, Assistant Water Engineer explains to Campers	Youth Empowerment Photo: Campers on Wingfield Source trek

The Easter Day Camp, which concludes Friday, April 18, is a collaborative effort between the Social Services Department, Water Services, the Marine Resources, Agriculture, and Sports Departments, along with the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, and the Craft House. Private partners include Dr. Barrington Browne and the St. Kitts Scenic Railway.