Campers already looking to next summer

Friday marked the close of another successful edition of the Summer Sports Camp hosted by the Youth Services and Sports and Recreation divisions of the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs, but before saying their final adios, participants expressed their satisfaction with the program and their hopes to return next summer.

“It was really good and I had a lot of fun because I learned a lot about the different sports and I hope I can come back and do it again next year,” said 11-year-old Mayjohn Catindig.

Catindig was among the 250 participants who completed the two-week Sports Camp program, which featured activities in various sports such as athletics, basketball, tee ball, volleyball, golf, and soccer.

Fellow participant Hedious Amar of Dandan also explained that he enjoyed every moment and is already looking forward to next year.

“Of course I like it,” the seven-year-old said. “[Because] of all the sports that I’m playing when I’m here. I like sports because it’s really fun and I get to play, and also they give us shirts so people are going to see and know that I was in Sports Camp. I want to join again next year.”

The participants may have received much of the attention throughout the two-week program, but also making their presence felt throughout the 10 days were the many youth volunteers who assisted instructors put their lesson plan into action.

“I’m just having fun doing this,” said volunteer and current track and field athlete Dexter Dillay, who has been involved with the program for the past couple of years. “It’s fun especially when you see these kids having fun and really trying to learn to become better. That’s one thing that I like…knowing that we are helping them learn.”

Sports Camp, open to youths between the ages of six and 12 years of age, featured activities such as basketball, tee ball, soccer, volleyball, golf, and athletics.

“I really like volleyball,” said nine-year-old Leilani Rabauliman. “We learn a lot of things, just like the others, but it’s just the one that I really like. We do a lot of things and there’s many different games that we can play.”

The Sports Camp is the second half of DYS and DSR’s summer camp program—it also featured Day Camp earlier.

The Day Camp was held for a week at the Kilili Beach area and was followed by two weeks of Sports Camp, which will conclude tomorrow.

Day Camp activities included bead making, weaving, banana printing, music, dancing, outrigger canoeing, swimming, and sessions with the Brown Tree Snake program, NMC CREES, Department of Public Safety Fire and DARE, Boys Scouts and Girls Scouts, and the NMI Crime Stoppers.

Each participated paid a $20 fee, which was used for insurance coverage. The fee covered both camps.

The Day and Sports camps are also sponsored by the Saipan Mayor’s Office and the Commonwealth Council for Arts and Culture.