RJ Mendiola and his daughter Bryånna watch as her brother Bryce paints a picture using a banana stalk at the DYS 2023 Summer Youth Empowerment Camp
As part of the last day activities of the 2023 Summer Youth Empowerment Camp, parents were invited to take part in activities alongside their children.
Children race to be the first team to cross the finish line at the 2023 Summer Youth Empowerment Camp. They were only allowed to move by stepping atop the plastic cones.
THE Division of Youth Services’ 2023 Summer Youth Empowerment Camp concluded on Friday, July 21, with 120 participants partaking in different arts and sports activities in Garapan.
The camp began on July 10 at the Carolinian Affairs Office grounds.
According to Jennifer Tanaka, DYS Family & Youth Enhancement Program federal program coordinator, the concluding day of activities was special because parents were present to take part in activities alongside their children.
“If you have a very strong, structured environment the kids are well taken care of,” Tanaka said, when asked about the benefit of involving parents in their children’s activities. “If you see a family that has some sort of breakdown such as domestic violence or drug abuse then eventually the kids are going to come to DYS.”
Tanaka said it’s important to get children out of the house and moving around.
“Kids these days would rather be in the house playing online games. They need to come out and do physical activities, run around and have sunlight,” Tanaka told Variety.
At the camp, students participated in activities like traditional bead craft, banana leaf painting, mwar making, basket weaving, and various sports. Tanaka said students also took part in a beach cleanup.
“I liked the beach [activity],” said Bryce Mendiola, a 5-year-old participant of the camp. “There was a lot of trash on the beach and I picked it up,” he added.
RJ Mendiola, Bryce’s father, said his son had a good time in the two-week camp.
“I think it’s a great way for the kids to expand how they interact with others,” RJ Mendiola said. “My son obviously enjoyed the two weeks. I’m sure if they could go longer he would want to go more.”
Tanaka said while the summer camp activities have concluded for students ages 5-12, session two is scheduled for July 24 to 28 for students 13 to 17 years old.
Tanaka said as of Friday numerous slots were still open for participants.
Applications to participate in the camp are available at dys.gov.mp/. Parents can also contact DYS at (670) 237-1015/17/18, (670) 664-2599, or the Carolinian Affairs Office at (670) 234-6385. Email may be addressed to jtanaka@dys.gov.mp or arangamar@dys.gov.mp.
