JPS Foundation’s Summer Camp Ablaze ignites young minds

Students from Farm Heights and Rose Heights get holistic training on energy, environment and career choices.

It was a week of fun-filled activities at the JPS Foundation Summer Camp Ablaze 2023, which benefited over 50 youngsters in Farm Heights and Rose Heights communities and was held at the Farm/Rose Heights Community Centre in July.

Summer Camp Ablaze, an annual initiative of the JPS Foundation, had a multi-pronged approach to help the young minds to not only delve in fun activities but get tangible lessons.

“The objective of Summer Camp Ablaze was to give a holistic experience, wherein students would engage in a week of activities focused on personal development, environmental stewardship, conservation and energy management as well as arts and culture and Jamaican heritage,” said Sophia Lewis, head of JPS Foundation.

“We also focused on instilling positive values and build confidence that we hope would help them to be well-rounded citizens,” she said, adding that it was imperative to get the children involved in broad-based discussions on key issues.

“These communities are facing many challenges, such as crime and violence, which impact our children negatively. The JPS Foundation, as a part of our mandate to be a part of the communities that JPS serves, saw it as imperative to reach out to the students here,” Lewis said, adding that not only will the students benefit, but their families will gain from the knowledge imparted concerning how climate change is affecting them, and how they can make a difference by being good environmental stewards and following energy conservation practices.

The children were not confined to the walls of the community centre, but enjoyed hands-on experiences. A highlight of the camp were the field trips to the JPS White River Hydro Plant and the Bogue Power Plant. The campers learnt about how energy is produced, distributed and used. They also learnt about energy management at home, at school and at the workplace.

Camp Ablaze was supported by the Social Development Commission, St. James Parish Library, RADA, Peace Management Initiative (Western), Farm/ Rose Heights CDC and the MP and Councilor’s Offices of St James Central constituency.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]