Tomorrow will bring a better you...a better me, so said the songwriter Tevin Campbell. But who are we referring to when we say a better you...a better me? Our children, of course–the next generation will lead this world by what they learn today. Damascus International and the Rotaract Club of Port-of-Spain are trying to create the best of our youth so that they can bring about a brighter future. How? Through their educational and innovative personal development camp–Camp Damascus. The idea to begin the camp was initiated by Damascus International director, Geoffrey Edwards two years ago, but only materialised last year.
According to Edwards, this because of the values instilled in him by his parents, who were educators and strongly believed in the holistic development of children–mind, body and spirituality. "My father was a physical education teacher and he always said, mind, body and spirituality all go hand in hand. "That way you feed all three of these key elements at the same time; mind–developing academical skills; body–developing creative studies; and spirituality– developing spiritual affinity," Edwards said. He said because of his past involvement in activities which contributed to the underdevelopment of youth, he now feels even more passionate about the change in his life and so he wants to penetrate young people with this change that can only be positive. "The name Damascus was really taken from the bible–the story of Saul who became Paul�one of God's greatest prophets, on the road to Damascus. So the camp is all about children receiving that change they need in their lives," he said.
About the camp
Camp Damascus, which will be held on July 19 to 30 at the Salvation Army on Tragarete Road, will focus on training children to become strong leaders of tomorrow–this according to Melissa Charles, director of community service of the Rotaract Club of Port-of-Spain. She said the camp's itinerary would include, languages, sign language, science and technology, art and craft, fun olympics, theatre, field trips, and to wrap up, a community service project–visits to elderly homes and a clean up campaign. "Financial literacy has also been introduced for the first time on the programme. There would also be career day where people holding key positions in society would be present to motivate the children and basically help them to strive for excellence. "Toward the end of the camp we have a huge surprise for the kids for all their hard work," Charles said. She said Rotaract's main involvement in Camp Damascus is to sponsor underprivileged children to attend the Camp. "Last year we had a number of children from Rainbow Rescue, this year they would be joining us again as well as children from other homes," Charles said.
We do care
Charles also emphasised that after the camp they do follow-up visits to the homes to ensure that the children are keeping up with what they've learned at Camp Damascus. "We never want them to feel like it is just a one-time thing. "The people and organisers involved in Camp Damascus genuinely care about these children and so they continue to work with them as much as they could to prepare them for the leaders that they would become," said said. Charles noted that the president of the Rotaract's Club, Shantelle Davis is even trying to start a homework network where tutors can go into these homes to work with children on developing their academic skills. Asked what separates Camp Damascus from any other programmes of its nature, Charles said, "This is no ordinary camp. We are not about making money, we are truly dedicated to creating positive human beings. "Everybody has a purpose and we help these displaced children and children in general to find themselves at an early age so that they don't lose themselves to the ills of this world."
For more info on Camp Damascus, contact 686-3350 or 765-4439, visit them online, or e-mail them at damascusinternationaltt@gmail.com. They can also be contacted on their facebook page–Camp Damascus.
