Empowering Youth Through Recreational Camps

The Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport (DCAS) will be hosting four youth recreation camps during 2013 in partnership with Sport and Recreation South Africa (SRSA). The camps will provide valuable opportunities for 300 young people between the ages of 14 and 25 to participate in sport and recreation activities. The organisers aim to use skills development to encourage young people to become responsible adults who are aware of the importance of social inclusion, leadership and national identity.

DCAS is looking for team leaders or mentors to support youth participating in the camp, taking place from 30 August to 1 September 2013, and the camp, running from 6 to 8 September 2013. See the attached advertisement for details.

In 2011, the national Minister of Sport and Recreation, Mr Fikile Mbalula, described youth camps as an important platform to develop young people in South Africa.

A total of 300 Western Cape youth enjoyed the fun-filled activities on offer at the regional and provincial camps that took place in 2012. At the time, Western Cape Minister of Cultural Affairs and Sport Dr Ivan Meyer gave the initiative his full support because the camps would assist the Western Cape to achieve its vision of promoting a socially inclusive, creative and active province. Dr Meyer said that the camps would “also assist young people to strengthen their sense of patriotism and national identity”.

A key part of the success of the 2012 camps was DCAS’s partnerships with the National Youth Development Agency, Western Cape Department of Community Safety, Western Cape Department of Social Development, Correctional Services, Farm Workers Organisation and love Life. The theme of partnership will be strongly emphasised again this year.

DCAS believes that bringing the youth together through sport and recreation and empowering them with values, soft skills and knowledge can help them to develop into responsible and conscious adults.