CCSS 2007 Summer Camp

The first ever Summer Camp organized by the Castries Comprehensive Secondary School has been hailed a resounding success by organizers in spite the late start in the promotion process of the two week long activity.
At the closing ceremony which was held at the school auditorium on Wednesday afternoon 15th August, 2007. Camp coordinator Michael Peterkin addressed the participants, sponsors and the few well wishers present, and said that the 2007 Summer Camp met its objectives. He was quite pleased with the number of participants this year who had the privilege of learning and sharpening skills at the seven sporting disciplines and various topics pertaining to personal, socio emotional development and to work together to enjoy what it is that they are doing.
Peterkin, who spoke to this reporter after the ceremony said, “It’s a first for the school and certainly we have learnt from our mistakes in getting information out way in advance to the general public as a number of persons were not aware and (we) have lost out on a valuable opportunity as the sessions that were held by the various trained professionals was a total package. In spite of the rain most of the out door activities did take place indoors and that’s one of the advantages CCSS possesses.” With an overview of the two week camp dubbed a total success organizers hope that next year’s figures will double.
Peterkin, while on the podium took time out to thank the many sponsors for coming on board to give their support in making this year’s camp a reality. He also mentioned that some have already committed themselves to sponsoring the event in 2008. He made special mention of the Ministry of Education through Sophia Joseph-Gabriel on the topic HIV/AIDS and Sports which was one of the highlights of the Camp.
Speaking to this reporter at Wednesday’s closing ceremony was Sophia Joseph-Gabriel who is responsible for working with the various schools and teachers on the island. She was invited to deliver a presentation on HIV and AIDS which is part of her portfolio, however she believed that she should have been given more time, but with a packed programme it was not possible. She did focus on specific areas of HIV Education where she looked at basic HIV Education and addressed stigma and discrimination.
Gabriel further went on to say that she was able to make some headway in that regard but hopefully with such programmes, in the future organizers must allocate more time so the children can get involved, and more interactive sessions put in place so that participants can achieve more.
Asked whether she believes that the camp participants are leaving with some sort of substantial information on the various topics, Joseph-Gabriel said, “Definitely.” With the interaction amongst the students and the facilitators based on the number of activities such as basic facts on HIV and AIDS, which the children got the opportunity to discuss with the assistance of the teachers and facilitators, and in that regard some concepts they had not understood clearly and ideas that were really misconceptions they were able to clarify. That was done in the form of a two team competition, so everyone was involved trying to ensure that their team won, and I believe it was successful at the end .”
Meanwhile, national record holder in the triple jump event and most recently qualified IAAF level two Athletic Coach Dane Magloire who was one of the facilitators at the two week camp said that he was impressed with the overall conduct of the camp and such a setting is certainly the way to go to develop the young minds and those that are showing an interest in sports on the island especially at the school level.
Magloire, when asked whether he noticed any outstanding talent during the two weeks was quick to say, “Yes there is quite a bit but it’s up to us now to nurture, harness and to develop it, and hence the reason for the camp so as to expose the young participants so they can showcase the little that they have and as coaches we can assist them in some way to further develop into outstanding athletes and get the opportunity to go on and to represent the country and to further their education at university.”