Government to continue support of explorers programme to curtail antisocial behaviour of youth

Basseterre, St. Kitts, December 12, 2019 (SKNIS): The Explorers Programme continues to meet its objectives of bringing young people together to build community spirit and national pride, learn discipline and desirable behaviours, and foster positive relations and respect for law enforcement.

The programme is a key component of the Ministry of National Security’s Crime Reduction and Prevention Strategy.

Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris, highlighted the impact of the national club while delivering the annual Budget Address in the St. Kitts and Nevis National Assembly on Thursday, December 12, 2019.

“We want to thank Permanent Secretary [Osmond] Petty, who has developed what is now the largest youth organization in the country,” Prime Minister Harris stated, noting that the membership is expected to continue growing.

Dr. Harris added, “What we were doing really was to ensure that we curtail the involvement of our young people in risky behaviours, disrespectful behaviour and help them to engender a good attitude to law enforcement by working with our community officers and so in our budget we basically have provided for that support.”

An Explorers Campsite building is currently being constructed in the Mol-Phil Extension Phillips’ Village. When completed, the structure will serve as the home base for the Mol-Phil Club and will be the official campsite of the national club. It will feature separate sleeping rooms for boys and girls, recreational area, dining room, kitchen and office.

The membership of the national club currently stands at 789 children between the ages of 3 to 19 years. The membership is spread out between nine clubs: Molineux-Phillips’ (Mol-Phil), Shadwell, Cayon, St. Peters, Newtown, Old Road, Trinity, Lodge, and St. Paul’s. The Mol-Phil Club was the first to be established in July 2017.