Summer Camps with the Belize Camping Experience
The Belize Camping Experience has for years been working with young people across the country, teaching them life skills and helping them develop a relationship with the church. It provides a space for youth leaders from various municipalities to converge on the camp grounds before going out to work with their peers in communities across the city. This week, approximately thirty-seven young persons are engaged in a camp on Jasmine Street. News Five’s Duane Moody reports.
Duane Moody, Reporting
Over on Jasmine Street in the Saint Martin’s area, young people are engaged in a summer camp being held by the Belize Camping Experience.
Alexander Perez
Alexander Perez, Director, Belize Camping Experience
“These communities really need not just a program, but we really need to come here to love all these kids, to build relationship with these kids because if the heart changes for them to make good changes, then when the program is finished, then they actually have something to hold on to. That’s Belize Camping Experience. We really believe that as Belizeans we can really be a role model for these children, especially in these neighbourhoods.”
Since June twelfth, youth leaders from across the country are being housed at the camping grounds on the George Price Highway, where they have been developing various life skills and sharing their experiences. After two weeks with the senior team at the Belize Camping Experience, they are then taken into communities across the city as youth leaders to engage with other young people about the importance of choice.
Alexander Perez
“Some of the activities that we do, we really tell the story of a Belizean that is doing something good in the community so that they can see that it is possible to do good. And then from there we have a lot of lessons and we have a lot of good morals, just Christian character that can build up so that they can make good decisions. But every activity needs to go along with the lesson. And the lesson for this whole summer or the theme is to make your choice.”
Youth leaders Ajahn Ashby and Helena Guenther say that the invaluable lessons learnt are being shared with their peers whose realities, including dealing with trauma, are similar.
Ajahn Ashby
Ajahn Ashby, Belize City Youth Leader
“When you are a leader, you have to change some type of way you lead and if you don’t want to change, you can’t become the person people see you as or you want to become in life.”
Duane Moody
“What is it that you want these young people that you are working with to take away?”
Ajahn Ashby
“That we are serving one person and the person is God. And no matter where we go and how we serve or how we live our life, he is always there for us. So that is the message for them – that God is there for them to help them out.”
Helena Guenther
Helena Guenther, Belmopan Youth Leader
“I would never have thought as a young child that I would have been given the opportunity to share the love of Christ that other people in similar ways they share their love with me. To just camp with these kids and to do songs and dances and all the games together – it is just a wonderful experience. I have had kids that they inspired me to do better in my walk with God.”
For the campers from the Saint Martin’s area, they are excited about the activities they have been engaged in since Monday.
Shantel Carr
Shantel Carr, Camper
“I think yah good fu we fi study; help everybody ina di city fi get smart. We help dehn fi like read and thing.”
Duane Moody
“What’s the best part of the camp for you?”
Shantel Carr
“The tug of war and the fun. And sometimes we like read book and play.”
The theme for this year’s camp is “Make Your Choice.” Duane Moody for News Five.
