Balls bounce at summer camp for kids
While some were celebrating education grants, others were occupied in summer camps. This morning, News Five’s Delahnie Bain, found out that a sporting camp in the south side is attracting a large number of eager participants between the ages of eight and fifteen.
Delahnie Bain, Reporting
The Lake Independence Field is the venue for the sixth annual Third World Summer Camp and the kids are out in full force. While the activities focus on sports and development, founder and coordinator, Steve Young, says he does it to keep the kids safe.
Steve Young, Coordinator, Third World Summer Camps
“The aim of the camp is just to keep di kids dehn active and positive inna di area because most ah di inna dis Southside areas we have a lot ah mothers working and kids stay home by dehn self when dehn noh got no school. I was a football player from way, way back in the eighties and I wanted to contribute something back to my area.”
And that contribution is benefiting over two hundred youths who have signed up to participate in the sporting camps. Some of those kids share Young’s passion for football and according to Camp Assistant, Deon Flowers, they also have the skills.
Deon Flowers, Assistant, Third World Football Camp
“All dehn pickney deh so, dehn need support, dehn need help, dehn need wah lot ah thing because we got very talented people dah back yah. Usually wid di kids deh, we give dehn some physical training. Weh we usually do with play inna semi-pro and so, di usual thing nothing different.”
Cody Roches, Participant, Third World Football Camp
“I decide fi come dah camp because I like to play football.”
Delahnie Bain
“What all you learn so far?”
Cody Roches
“I learn discipline and I learn much more things.”
Delahnie Bain
“Why you decide fi come out to the football camp?”
Colleen Thompson, Participant, Third World Football Camp
“Cause I noh have nothing fi do home and I destroy all ah my ma stuff.”
Delahnie Bain
“So you di learn anything out yah or dah just fi fun?”
Colleen Thompson
“Dah just fi fun and I still di learn stuff. I learn discipline, respect and etcetera.”
But it’s not all about football. Some of the kids attending the camps come out to shoot some hoops.
Karl Diaz, Coordinator, Third World Basketball Camp
“We have coaches that come in everyday and teach them the drills and teach them how to shoot the ball and all the drilling stuff and in the evening time we have them actually compete against each other.”
Delahnie Bain
“How long you di play basketball?”
Priscilla Fortnard, Participant, Third World Basketball Camp
“Fi two years.”
Delahnie Bain
“You come out to the camp every year?”
Priscilla Fortnard
“Yes ma’am.”
Deshon Roland, Participant, Third World Basketball Camp
“I always stay home and deh pan di street and all ah dat.”
Delahnie Bain
“So this give you something better fi do. What all you di learn out yah?”
Deshon Roland
“I learn discipline and how to play basketball.”
In addition to physical training and discipline, the kids also benefit from two meals a day provided by Frederick Smith. Delahnie Bain for News Five.
To sign up for the Third World Summer Camps, you can call 6078785.
