Summer Camp ensures survival of VI culture, says Hon. Marlon Penn
The summer camp was primarily focused on children between the ages of six to fourteen.
The culture camp that started on July 16, 2012, and ended yesterday August 3, 2012, was sponsored by the Minister responsible for Education and Culture, Hon. Myron Walwyn and was coordinated by Letetia Penn Rodgers.
According to the 8th District Representative, Hon. Marlon Penn, who was also involved with the summer programme, he said that the aim of the camp was to educate the youths of the community about their culture. He said, “we have a rich culture in the BVI but we are not doing a good job of documenting it and passing it on to the younger generation. The younger generation should be involved and learn about their culture for its survival.”
Hon. Penn made these statements while attending the closing ceremony of the summer camp yesterday July 3, 2012, at the East End/Long Look Community Centre.
With this being the first year of the Culture Summer programme, Mr. Penn added that the idea is to continually promote the traditions of the Virgin Islands yearly through the programme.
He said this programme is very important to the VI government and should be to the people of the VI as well.
In personal thoughts, he said, “culture is very important to our government; it is where we came from, our identity and who we are as a people. It is important that we document our culture so that young people can learn the culture and be ambassadors for their Territory.”
In summary he told this news site that during the camp the campers were engaged in different activities such as fish box making, craft making, making different foods and drinks and many other things that were done “back in the day”, as well as, visiting different cultural sites on the main land as well as on the sister islands.
In regards to a group song rendered at the closing ceremony by the campers, where they sang the recently chosen and passed Territorial song, ‘Oh Beautiful Virgin Islands’, he added that it was heartfelt to see the camp attendees utilizing the recently chosen Territorial song.
“It gives a sense of pride when they sing it and they bring pride to the territory and a glimpse of what is available for the future.”
All the campers were awarded with certificates for their attendance and completion in the summer camp.
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