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CAO, DYS host second half of summer camps
Participants of the Summer Youth Empowerment Camp learn how to sing a local song yesterday at the San Isidro Youth Learning Center. (MARC A. VENUS)
The Carolinian Affairs Office and the Division of Youth Services are co-hosting the second and final Summer Youth Empowerment Camp, which began yesterday at the San Isidro Youth Learning Center.
Forty participants were present in yesterday’s opening, said CAO project manager Paul Ythemar, and a total of 53 participants are registered for the camp.
The camp will be ongoing until Aug. 1, from 7:30am to 11:30am.
The first half of the camp was a success, Ythemar said, and he wants the final half to end on a strong note. He hopes the participants will be prepared for their final day of performances on Aug. 1 and that it will impress the parents who attend.
The camp begins the day by teaching the campers about mental, nutritional, and health fitness. Ythemar said that the Commonwealth Health Care Corp.’s Systems of Care, the Commonwealth Health Center, the Garrett Lee Smith Youth Suicide Prevention Office, and DYS will each handle the presentations and activities.
Latte Built Fitness provides the physical activities by making the participants play sports such as kickball, basketball, and many different sports that can be incorporated. The Department of Community and Cultural Affairs’ Sports and Recreations took care of the physical activities for participants in the Tanapag camp.
Afterwards, the participants will be introduced to the arts and crafts portion of the camp. Participants will learn how to sing island music, speak some Carolinian, perform traditional dances, create bead necklaces and bracelets, make fire, fish, paint, weave, and create traditional flower leis called “mwar.”
Ythemar said the camp will be switching up the order of activities throughout the week to keep participants entertained.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Summer Food Service Program will provide snacks and lunch for the participants.
There will then be a mini-graduation for camp participants on Aug. 1, during which they will perform dances and sing.
