No ordinary summer for Westmoreland youth

MORE THAN 40 young people were treated to a fun-filled summer of interactive and educational activities as the stage was set for them to become stewards of the environment.

It was all made possible through a summer camp programme funded by the Jamaica Social Investment Fund and coordinated by the Negril Area Environmental Protection Trust (NEPT).

Dubbed the Russia Environmental Ranger Summer Camp, the initiative was geared at exposing children and young adults to environmental concepts and phenomenon while engendering a spirit of environmental stewardship.

It also aimed to equip them with "the requisite skills for employment in water sports, marine-related and tourism careers", NEPT said in a release to the media.

The camp ran from August 8 to August 23, with training courses such as, Team Jamaica run by the Tourism Product Development Company; first aid and CPR training done by the Jamaica Red Cross Society; swimming lessons facilitated by the Negril Wave Runners Swim Club; and computer and arts and craft classes facilitated by The SOURCE Savanna-la-mar.

Together with the Forestry Department, the National Environment and Planning Agency, the Ministry of Health and the National Solid Waste Management Authority, NEPT also undertook a series of presentations on the environment.

At the end of the 12 days of activities, a mural was done on the wall at the cross road in Russia by the young people from the Russia, Seaton Crescent, Barracks Road (Gully Banks) and Rickets Street communities.