Video: Minister On Summer Day Camps
The Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Sport, Sen Owen Darrell held a press conference this morning [May 16] to update the public on the Government’s Summer Day Camp Programmes.
Minister Darrell said, “Good morning, Members of the Media and everyone joining us here today at Strokes in the City, Art Studio on Parliament Street.
“Thank you for being here as I present an important update on the Summer Day Camp registration process. Let me begin by providing you with some background information on the Government’s Summer Day Camp Programmes.
“The Department of Sport and Recreation has provided the Government’s Summer Day Camp Programmes each summer break for preschool, primary, and middle school-age students for over 50 years. To facilitate these programmes the Department works in conjunction with the Ministry of Public Works, Ministry of Education, and the Ministry of Health to ensure that the necessary facilities are secured, and health guidelines are met.
“The department wants to note that each year, on registration day, the Department sells out of the allocated spots within minutes of the online platform opening. In 2023, our enrolment after registration was 490 students, with a waitlist of 511 students. The Department is accustomed to these waitlist numbers as our programmes are extremely popular and notably economical for families at $60/week. On average, most private camps can start at $150/week, and some run as high as $350/week for parents.
“As we approach the end of the school year, parents who cannot afford the private camps will be stressed to find placement for their children. This often leads to children being left home alone or in inadequate conditions. To this point, the Department wants to inform you of improvements in the Government’s Summer Day Camp Programme and the steps taken to alleviate the stress of parents seeking safe, affordable summer services for their children.
“During the post-mortem of the 2023 Summer Day Camp Program, it was concluded that partnering with private camp operators and offering programs at an affordable cost to parents was the proactive solution to increase camper enrolment and significantly alleviate the waitlist. This initiative was presented and approved, and the necessary budget was allocated for the 2024/2025 fiscal year, giving hope to parents and children alike.
“On 14th May 2024, I released Camp Connect on the Sport and Recreation website, www.sportsandrec.bm . Through this user-friendly, interactive portal, the reality of these partnerships with private educational and recreational groups has come to life. Camp Connect is your go-to hub for parents seeking comprehensive information on our summer camps and streamlined registration process.
“The Government has been able to:
- “Increase Capacity: An additional 850 spots are available over the summer break for more children to attend these camps.
- “Extend Camp Duration: Camps will be available between July 1 and September 6, 2024. The duration will vary between camps, so visit the website for availability.
- “Expand Variety: A broad selection of camp types is now available, ensuring diverse and dynamic experiences. Users can navigate by category of interest or by the zone of the island they live in.
“On Monday, May 20th, 2024, at 9:30 AM, the registration link for Camp Connect will go live. All camps on the portal will remain at last year’s rate of $60 per week per child. Online payments can only be made once registration is approved. Parents and guardians are encouraged to register online by visiting www.sportsandrec.bm, learn more about each camp, and decide which experiences they want their child to enjoy this summer.
“Camp Connect ensures parents planning their child’s summer adventures is convenient and hassle-free. So, we encourage everyone to visit our website at www.sportsandrec.bm before registration on Monday to learn more about each camp and decide which experiences they would like their child to enjoy this summer.
“Thank you.”
