B.D.F. Summer Camp opens to 600 kids across the country
In the past weeks we have been reporting on a number of summer camps taking place around the country. Earlier today, we caught up with the annual camp hosted by the B.D.F. Hundreds of children have signed up for the program which has a little of everything: cooking, sports, IT and aviation. News Five’s Summer Intern, Edward Hoy, visited Price Barracks where the camp was in full swing.
Edward Hoy, reporting
The Belize Defense Force’s annual summer camp is taking kids in a variety of disciplines. According to Lieutenant Aspinall, this is to show that the force not only protects but also teaches the community.
Lieutenant Megan Aspinall, Provost Commander
megan aspinall
“The programs that are being held this year consists of five to six camps which are cooking, football, intro to computer, assembly of computer and aviation.”
Edward Hoy
“How long does the summer camp last?”
Lt. Megan Aspinall
“They are each a duration of two weeks. It’s the third year running. It’s a part of our annual summer camp—giving back to our country. We host it in three districts—Belize, Cayo and Punta Gorda—in just aiding kids in being active for the summer.”
While the kids in the band drummed up in the mid morning sun, another set were learning how to use computer software.
Franyce Thomas, B.D.F. Camp Participant
“I’m enjoying myself very, very good.
Edward Hoy
“What all are you learning in the computer department?”
Franyce Thomas
“I’m learning how to do the tabs, and weh part the commandments are.”
Edward Hoy
“Do you feel that it is fun out here with all the soldiers and everything?”
Franyce Thomas
“Yes sir.”
Edward Hoy
“How are you enjoying yourself?”
Diamond Hulett, B.D.F. Camp participant
“Very good because I have met new friends and they have been very good and friendly.”
Edward Hoy
“Do you like working in the computer department?”
Diamond Hulett
“Yes Sir.”
Edward Hoy
“Are you learning or just playing games on the computer?”
Diamond Hulett
“I’m learning how to paste my work, text. I’m learning how to cut, what is software and hardware.”
Edward Hoy
“Sounds like you are learning a lot. It sounds like you are having a lot of fun.”
Diamond Hulett
“Yes sir.”
Back on the field, the future members of the Belize National Football team were learning the intricacies of the sport.
Joseph Pandy, B.D.F. Camp Participant
“I like play football so I decided to come join the camp.”
Edward Hoy
“Do you have a favorite team?”
Joseph Pandy
“Yeah, Madrid.”
Edward Hoy
“You hope to be on the Belize team one day the represent Belize?”
Joseph Pandy
“Yeah.”
Edward Hoy
“So what all have you learned here at this program?”
Joseph Pandy
“I learn how to dribble and control the ball and to make a better pass.”
Edward Hoy
“And you enjoying yourself here?”
Joseph Pandy
“Yes sir.”
While many of the kids were enjoying being in the open air, others were inside making a shake and learning the culinary arts.
Edward Hoy
“So I hear you’re the baker over here.”
Keshawna Cherrington, B.D.F. Camp Participant
“Yeah.”
Edward Hoy
“You could tell me a little bit about the banana bread that you guys were making?”
Keshawna Cherrington
“Well we peeled some bananas and then we add flour in the bowl yeast, sugar and then we mixed it.”
Edward Hoy
“So you plan on becoming a chef in the future?”
Keshawna Cherrington
“Yes sir.”
Edward Hoy
“Is this your first time at the summer camp here?”
Edroy Andrews, B.D.F. Camp Participant
“Yes Sir.”
Edward Hoy
“And what all have you learned so far?”
Edroy Andrews
“I have learned to make Creole bread, I have learned to make banana cake, I have learned to make banana shake. I also learn how to make omlet and I hope I learn to make many more.”
Edward Hoy
“Have you been enjoying yourself? Have you made a lot of new friends?”
Edroy Andrews
“Well I have made a couple but there are still a couple names to get and its kinda confusing but I’ll get them soon.”
Edward Hoy
“Are you enjoying yourself a lot?”
Darlee Seguro, B.D.F. Camp Participant
Yeah.”
Edward Hoy
“So do you aspire to be a chef in the future?”
Darlee Seguro
“Hope so.”
Edward Hoy
“Which chef would you wanna be like?”
Darlee Seguro
“I would like to do cooking and lot of other stuff.”
Edward Hoy
“So you’d wanna be like chef Ainslie?”
Darlee Seguro
“Something like that.”
Lt. Megan Aspinall
“These camps all instill several types of skills or disciplines which will help them to manage themselves in school or whatever activities they encounter when they are not in a program. So it basically just gives them the guidelines, discipline and instill leadership they all will need sometime in life.”
In Ladyville over two hundred kids have made Price Barracks their summer home while countrywide over 600 youths can call members of this military branch soldiers as well as teachers. Reporting for News Five, Edward Hoy.
We need more stories like this. I hope this program includes under-privileged children.
This is a very happy image in the belize news today, and if you are a regular here you would know that happiness is a gift in belize.
Good job to the BDF, the kids of belize can learn so much more if they can see this situation as rich opportunities for learning.
This is awesome…I love Belize…and these activities that are picking up more and more…go Belize!
Great job BDF….we have to keep these kids occupied in positive stuff…congrats
Excellent report..we need to invest in the future of Belize with programs like this. An idle mind can only lead to problems…Thanks Channel 5 for reports like this…hopefully you can send your reporters to the many town in Belize who also have other excellent programs like this…
Fatboy slim, you large, you di report the news. Eddie!
Refreshing report! I needed this.