Minister Owen Darrell On Summer Day Camps

“as the 2023-2024 school year concludes today for many students across the island, the Department of Sport and Recreation is prepared to welcome participants to this year’s Camp Connect initiative,” Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport Owen Darrell said in the Senate.

The Minister said, “On Monday, July 1st, 2024, over one thousand children across the island will embark on a summer of fun and learning at our Summer Day Camps. This year, the Department of Sport and Recreation in collaboration with our partner organizations, has introduced several exciting enhancements to the camps.”

The Minister’s full statement follows below:

Madam President, as the 2023-2024 school year concludes today for many students across the island, the Department of Sport and Recreation is prepared to welcome participants to this year’s Camp Connect initiative. For over fifty years, the Department has served as a reliable option for parents seeking safe, enjoyable, and affordable summer camps for their children. We are committed to continuing this tradition of excellence this summer.

Madam President, on Monday, July 1st, 2024, over one thousand children across the island will embark on a summer of fun and learning at our Summer Day Camps. This year, the Department of Sport and Recreation in collaboration with our partner organizations, has introduced several exciting enhancements to the camps:

• Increased Capacity: We have added 850 additional spots, allowing more children to participate during the summer break.

• Extended Camp Duration: Various camps are now available from July 1 to September 6, 2024, offering extended engagement opportunities.

• Expanded Variety: We have broadened the selection of camp types available, ensuring a diverse and dynamic array of experiences for attendees.

Madam President, I would like to express my gratitude to the twenty-seven partner camps for their invaluable collaboration and for providing their specialized programs to our students. Their involvement has been a significant factor in reducing the waitlist numbers for our program. These camps offer diverse specialized programs, including archery, futsal, cricket, dance, educational, STEM, robotics, and art. We are also excited to reintroduce the White’s Island swimming camp this summer. Additionally, Raleigh and Outward Bound Bermuda host programs for those interested in survival skills. The variety and diversity of these camps significantly enhance our offerings.

Madam President, the Government’s annual Summer Day Camp program not only enjoys widespread popularity with parents but also provides summer employment for approximately one hundred and forty [140] individuals this year. It is imperative to note that, all staff members are required to have valid CPR/First Aid and SCARS Certifications. These work opportunities are also offered to students studying in education or humanities, enabling them to acquire hands-on experience in their chosen fields. We are committed to upholding this proud and valuable tradition.

Madam President, our government camps are led by Kenneth Bartram with the assistance of Crystal Richardson, Melanie Seymore and Elicia Hollis.

The camp names, locations and supervisors are;

Boys to Men	Victor Scott Primary	Crenstant Williams
Camp Bermudez	West Pembroke Primary	Kennita Phipps
Camp Chameleon	Gilbert Institute	Judith Welch
Camp Hibiscus	Elliot Primary	Eulannae Douglas
Camp Kiskadee	Dalton E. Tucker	Shay-la Gilbert
Camp Palmetto	Harrington Sound Primary	Shayla Morton
Camp Paw Paw	West Pembroke Primary	Mallisa Butterfield
Camp Pontoon	Prospect Primary	Jade Spencer
Girls to Ladies	Victor Scott Primary	Miesha Greaves

Madam President, I extend my best wishes to all participants in our summer programs—from the supervisors, counsellors, and specialists, to the custodians and, most importantly, the campers for a fun-filled and safe summer.

Thank you Madam President.

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