THREAD Foundation's fun-filled summer camp
Published:Saturday | August 3, 2013 | 12:00 AM
Carl Gilchrist, Gleaner Writer
ST ANN'S BAY, St Ann:SCORES OF children converged on the premises of the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in St Ann's Bay over the last week to enjoy a summer camp run by the THREAD Foundation.
Although the age specification was six to 12 years old, several children outside that age group turned up and were facilitated.
The kids were treated to a week of fun-laced activities, refreshments, and, more important,self-esteem sessions.
Camp coordinator Taylor Carmichael described the camp as a success.
"We're supposed to have ages six to 12, but we ended up with some four-year-olds and 16 and 18, and we didn't want to send anybody home," she explained.
Carmichael was assisted by 10 camp counsellors and junior camp counsellors who ensured that order was kept and activities ran smoothly. The children were well taken care of and given three meals a day.
"Right now we have about 93 children here. They come, they have breakfast in the morning, then we have devotions, after which we have an art and craft session. Then we have a bit of free time to stretch, then we have lunch. After lunch, we usually have sports, but today, we are going to show a movie," said Carmichael,
"In a lot of the things we do, we try to build self-esteem. We make 'About Me' books - write things I like about myself, what I love about the camp. We get them to write and read and communicate what they are feeling."
Morgan Foy, who is visiting from Florida, and was one of the camp counsellors, said the camp was rewarding.
"I'm in charge of art and craft," Foy explained. "Most of the things we do are centred around building self-esteem. Yesterday, we did coping squares, where they write about themselves. It's focused on them being introspective and thinking about who they are and what they want to be and really developing self-esteem. For me? It's tiring! So many kids, but it's rewarding, and it's fun, and I love seeing the same faces that were here last year. It's really encouraging to see them grow."
The campers were excited about the event.
Ten-year-old Shevin Wallace, who attends the Runaway Bay All-Age School, was one of the students who made a lovely About Me book.
"It took me a couple hours," he told Rural Xpress. Asked if he was enjoying the camp, he said: "Yes, sir. I play and do a lot of things."
Shawn Campbell of the Priory Primary and Infant School was also glad for the opportunity to do something worthwhile for the summer.
"I do a lot of things like design a water bottle and run up an' dung!" he said, with a broad smile.