The work of about 50 children who spent the past six weeks exploring Barbadian and Caribbean culture was on display on Thursday as the Division of Youth Affairs’ National Summer Camp Programme’s cultural camp at St Ambrose Parish Centre in The City came to a close with a showcase for parents and guests.
The programme exposed campers to a wide range of cultural experiences, from African studies and traditional Barbadian practices to arts, hairstyling and educational tours across the island, according to camp director Ria Callender.
Crafts made by the campers
Jewelry made by the campers
Images of the campers who learned to style hair
Displayed crafts made by the campers
“The children were exposed to a lot of cultural… traditional things… pertaining to Barbados and the Caribbean,” she said. “They were taught African studies and other types of art and hair dressing with a professional hair stylist, and they’re been to various campsites and various tours to experience the life of Barbados.”
Callender said the experience broadened the children’s horizons, particularly for those who rarely have opportunities to travel outside their communities.
Director Ria Callender
“A lot of kids are very interested in camp, and a lot don’t really have the opportunity to go certain places outside of the community, so the tours… expand their horizon,” she noted.
She revealed that the camp attracted about 50 children, supervised by approximately five counsellors.
“In a very small space,” she said, adding with a laugh: “Approximately like five including myself. So it was a bit hectic, but yeah, we got through.”
Although this was the first year the programme was hosted at St Ambrose Parish Centre, Callender said the initiative has been running for several years at another location.
“This venue is a brand new venue. So basically six weeks now,” she said. “But over there we had a school at first and it was like four to five years.”
She also encouraged children considering next year’s programme to embrace every aspect of the experience.
“Just be open-minded,” she urged. “Some days you’re going to be inside, but other days be outside. Just come openminded. Camp is for everyone.”
Deputy director Quesara Neblett said campers spent the summer immersed in a variety of creative activities.
“We’ve been working really hard. Every day the kids are here,” she said, while guiding visitors through the exhibition. “Jewellery, arts and crafts, hair braiding design, African studies and on Fridays we had a tour.”
The exhibition featured paintings, handmade crafts, recycled artwork and practical household items created from everyday materials.
“They made ladybugs from coconut,” Neblett explained, adding that campers also learned about recycling by turning discarded materials into useful items.
The children also transformed bottles, tissues and pom-poms into air fresheners and decorative pieces, while each camper completed at least one painting during the programme.
Neblett said the quality of some of the jewelry was so impressive that selected pieces would be submitted for this year’s National Independence Festival of Creative Arts (NIFCA). (LE)
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