Coordinator of the annual BVI Hoop It Up summer basketball camp for youths Mr Steve E. Parillon has seen 65 children being gainfully occupied during the month of July as tomorrow the first batch of children will given a resounding send off. Photo: VINO

These four young men were responsible for producing a framed portrait of the Honourable Mark H. Vanterpool which they presented to him. Photo: VINO

Some of the framed portraits of members of the House of Assembly produced by the children who attended the summer camp which was not only about basketball and other sports but also about arts and craft. Photo: VINO

Coach and programme coordinator Steve E. Parillon interacting with the children. Photo: VINO

Parillon speaking with the children following the end of the session today July 31, 2014. Photo: VINO

They have paved the way for the others to enter the Hoop it Up/Youth Outreach Programme (YOP) camp at the U.P.’s Cineplex, for the August period which gets started on August 11 and will conclude on August 29, 2014.

Today this news site visited Mr Parillon, his team of trainers including Mr Juan A. Richards and Charlie E. Jackson and witnessed some of the benefits that were gained by the participants.

For little DaJoni D.J. Ortiz tomorrow being the last day for him at the programme makes him sad. “I want to come every day, I done tell my mother so,” he told Mr Parillon as they sat in a one-on-one chat. “Coach I really want to come back in August, can I come? I really want to come back,” said him in his innocence.

The programme ran for a full four weeks unlike the government’s which goes for a period of three week. On hand to congratulate the organizers and the participants of the programme was Minister for Communications and Works Honourable Mark H. Vanterpool who is also the Fourth District Representative.

“I want to congratulate him (Steve) and his team, give him a big up for working with the young people. It's a programme for some young people who would not have been doing anything, anything so Steve and his team made a big difference in their lives.” 

The Minister also acknowledged Mr Parillon’s commitment to the programme as it got started at a time when he had the commitment of representing the Virgin Islands in the recently concluded Caribbean Basketball Confederation (CBC) championships.

According to Parillon the programme was executed and will continue as one specially credited to the Fourth District as for the first time he teamed up with YOP.

Mr Parillon said that children who need to re-enter for the August period can do so. Registration for the August session opens tomorrow at Easy Pay RiteWay, Pasea and at U.P.’s Cineplex from 10:00am – 12:00hrs.

Mr Parillon wishes to extend gratitude to all the persons who contributed by way of sponsorship and other means to ensure the programme's success.