The West End Neighbourhood Policing held their opening ceremony for the second (Bonefishing) Eco-Fishing Camp at West End this weekend.
The camp is fully sponsored by The Ginn West End Foundation and this year will have 42 participants ranging from eight-15 years olds.
Linda Cooper, Chairman of the West End Eco-Fishing Camp Association, is playing a pivotal role once again. Cooper is a retired Master Sargeant U.S. Army having served from 1978-1999. She then spent three years in the Department of Defence as a Logistic Management Specialist. Cooper hopes for the children to become acquainted with the marine environment and it is her desire that opportunities would be available in the future that leads to employment.
Keith Cooper, a volunteer and key player in this year's camp stressed safety matters to the youth. With many years experience in the hospitality industry, Cooper hopes for the participants to become so inspired that they would want to plan a career in the fishing industry, more particularly, in the West End eco-tourism field. He plans teaching to the students that they are caretakers of the earth and hopes that they will understand the importance of discipline and responsiblity, as well as, have an overall appreciation for their environment.
Several of the campers expressed what they wanted from the camp experience. Fourteen year old KC and 15 year old Darius said that they simply want to learn how to fish and swim better. Fifteen year old Brazique says that she wants to learn something that will help her in the future and she is also hoping to have some fun.
The 12 week camp commences March 6 with the motto being 'Esprit de Corps' – teaching the children the importance of having a 'Group Spirit'. In the Fall, the 10 best students from this camp will be selected to participate in an ad-vanced swimming and snorkelling camp.
Imparting words of wisdom, ASP Kenwood Taylor from the West End Police Department told the audience, 'If you teach a man to fish for a day, he can survive for a lifetime." Superintendent. Wen-dell Deveaux offered congratulations to the organzers and the Ginn West End Foundation and stated 'the potential for the camp is limitless as it teaches one to care for, love and appreciate each other and he emphasized that it helps the campers by providing spiritual and physical growth. He also told that campers that by learning discipline and skills, they will also learn how to assist financially within their families."
