The five-day Enmore Youth Camp which catered for 41 students between the ages of 12 and 17 years concluded last Friday with an interactive session during a visit by Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony and Director of Youth, Carl Brandon.

The students participated in a number of activities including tie-dying, art and craft, singing of several national songs and learning the importance of being a Guyanese and their responsibilities, the Government Information Agency (GINA) said in a release.

They also learnt about leadership, peer education and national symbols, GINA added.

Minister Anthony noted that the camp aimed to prepare youths in some aspects of their lives as adults.

He pointed out that with the knowledge accrued during the camp, they would be able to relate to the future and make decisions to bring about positive effects.

Minister Anthony also encouraged them to disseminate the information and knowledge they had gained from the camp to their peers and other persons in their respective communities.

Anthony said that the ministry will continue to pursue the camps annually and possibly improve on them.

Meanwhile, Brandon said that he was pleased that persons took time off to attend the camp, which enabled youths to be gainfully occupied while out of school.

Brandon also observed that civic education, which is being taught at all camps, is an integral part of being a Guyanese.

The students were exposed to the cause and effects of the world epidemic, HIV/AIDS, and awareness was also raised against criminal activity.
Since its creation in 1998, the Culture Ministry has trained thousands of youths at its summer camps in a variety of skills, the release added.