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Mariana Eco Adventure Camp ends
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Posted on Sep 13 2000
Mariana Eco Adventure Camp put over 200 kids from Saipan, Japan, and Korea through their program this past summer and the program that ended on Sept. 1 was deemed a big success.
“We were looking to fill the void in summer programs that was left by the closure of Camp Manhoben. We wanted to provide a fun educational atmosphere that would allow kids to learn, interact socially, and develop sports skills. Our facilities allowed us to provide instruction in soccer, swimming, tennis, golf, computers, snorkeling, music, dance, and arts and crafts,” said Camp director Keirsten Hess.
Additionally, Eco Camp provided summer employment for over 10 instructors. “We were able to hire a number of very talented students who returned home from off-island colleges and were looking for a summer job. We had students from San Diego State, University of Virginia, University of Hawaii, James Madison, and University of California who instructed in our program. Our Junior Counselor Program helped prepare high school students for future employment. We also worked with the JTPA program to develop counselors,” said Hess.
The Internet played a big part in the Eco Camp program. “It was so exciting to use the power of the Internet to enhance our program. We used the Internet to contact, evaluate, and interview counselors, we used it for online registration, we used it to post schedules, contact parents, send e-mail to friends, etc. Kids used it to download music, keep in touch with friends they met at camp, and more. It was a vital part of our camp.”
Several students were able to join Eco Camp under their scholarship program due to grants from GTE Pacifica, Wendy’s Saipan.
“GTE Pacifica paid for tuition and lunch for five children this summer and Wendy’s Saipan paid for two. This made a big difference in the lives of these kids and we want to express our sincere gratitude to them. Without help from the community this summer, we would not have been able to offer the type of program that we did”, continued Hess.
