Youth Department announces summer programs

The steady stream of summer programs catering to the youths on summer holidays continues. The latest announcement comes from the Youth Department, who is veering off from the art and dance routines to something a little more upbeat…steel band music. And parents you might want to listen up because this program is free.

Icilda Humes, Youth Development Officer

“Steel band in Belize is not promoted as well as it should be. People do not appreciate how much effort, how much finance goes into that kind of music, although we do get a little bit of influence from the Caribbean, primarily during the carnival time. For the rest of the year, steel band is just silent to young people. So it’s something that the department wants to promote.”

Janelle Chanona

“What other kinds of summer programs can parents look forward to hearing about from the Youth Department?”

Icilda Humes

“The Youth Department has a lot of programs nationwide, the offices in Belize City, this year are focusing mainly on rural camps. We’ll be having camps in San Pedro and Caye Caulker. We’ll be having camps in Ladyville in Burrell Boom, in Hattieville and so forth. We also have another camp coming up, which is a youth community service camp where we are hoping to get fifty young people to volunteer to do community service projects for one week. These projects include building homes for the needy with Habitat for Humanity and the landscaping and beautification of the Rockview Hospital and the Golden Haven Rest House.”

The Steel Band Music course is being offered to youths between the ages of thirteen and eighteen. It will be held at the Wesley College campus starting on Monday July 3rd. Members of the Pan Tempters Steel Band will be facilitating the sessions. For more information, contact the Youth Development Office in Belize City.