The Tribune

By CELESTE NIXON

Tribune Staff Reporter

cnixon@tribunemedia.net

THE Royal Bahamas Police Force will be launching its nation-wide Summer Youth Programme on Monday.

Assistant Commissioner Leon Bethel said the force and it's partners are prepared to entertain, instruct and assist the youth of the Bahamas.

He said: "From these partnerships we will have a good opportunity to educate and give life learning instruction to the children, so they can grow into good and productive citizens - they are our future."

Each year, this proactive programme is used to engage young people during the summer months when children are out of school, Mr Bethel said.

The camp will be launched at a ceremony at Bethel Baptist Church at 11am on July 2, followed by a march to Police Headquarters, where the participants will be divided into their various camps, normally according to the police division in which they live.

According to Mr Bethel, organisers are expecting more than 200 students for each of the nine divisions in New Providence. Family Island police divisions will also be holding programmes.

The six week summer camp will run from 9am to 2pm and is free for all participants.

During a press conference yesterday, Mr Bethel said now in it's 19th year, the summer programme has grown both in size and scope.

Summer camp activities will include: field trips, art and crafts, sports and community outreach, as well as lessons in Bahamian history, the environment, first aid, crime prevention, gang violence and conflict resolution.

The camp will also conclude with a basketball tournament sponsored by Coca Cola.

Mr Bethel said the Ministry of Education has partnered with the Ministry of National Security and will be providing teachers to assist the various programmes.

The RBPF is welcoming any support from members of the community or businesses interested in assisting the programme.