Holiday Camp 2016: Garoua takes the lead

Preparations are underway for the fourth edition of the National Holiday Youth Camp to take place in July and August 2016 in the towns of Garoua and Bafoussam.

Organised by the Ministry of Tourism and Leisure the objective of the Holiday Youth Camp is to bring together children from all the regions of Cameroon to ensure national integration, togetherness and exchange of ideas as they will teach each other their various cultures.

According to the programme from the Ministry of Tourism and Leisure the Garoua expedition will run from July 8-22, 2016 and Bafoussam from August 6-20, 2016. To be part of the trip, the children must be from 10 years to 17 years or above, be apt in sports and cultural activities, be in good physical and moral health, be recommended by their legitimate parents or guardians, and be committed to respect the rules and regulations holiday camp.

Apart from that, the children have to submit a file comprising an application addressed to the Minister of Tourism and Leisure, a photocopy of the birth certificate, a medical certificate for fitness, a presentation file of the child by the parent or the guardian, two passport size photographs and pay a registration fee of FCFA 20,000.

The Sub-director of the Development and Promotion of Leisure in the Ministry of Tourism and Leisure, Marie Clarisse Nkot said registration began on March 24, 2016 and are still going on in the different regional and divisional delegations.

She said the Garoua camp is eminent and that the organising committee will give and update of the participation during the final preparatory meeting on Tuesday, June 5, 2016.

The children will be guided by monitors a and will be involved in sports activities learn how to produce objects such as flower jars, local slippers and toy cars using pieces of carton, bamboo chairs and tables, music and storytelling, among others.

The campers will also have educative talks on topics such as protection of the environment and sexually transmissible diseases. The campers will also go on excursions to discover the cultural and touristic values of the regions they are camping.

Concerning security of the children during the camping period Nkot Marie Clarisse said a team had been sent to Garoua and Bafoussam to see the authorities on the problem of security of the children. She explained that the children will stay in boarding school campuses and in closed environments where the children do not go out on their own.

At the end of the camp a farewell ceremony will be organised during which there will be a fashion parade with the traditional dresses of all the 10 regions and the election Miss and Mister Holiday Youth Camp 2016.