Learning and understanding at the West Coast Youth Camp

A total of 97 “born free” youth attended the West Coast Youth Camp in Riebeeck West from 29-31 August 2014. The event was one of four regional camps organised by the Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport (DCAS) this year. The most promising participants from the regional camps will be invited to the Western Cape Provincial Youth Camp to take place from 5–11 October in Tulbagh.

Participants engaged in discussions, group work, physical exercise and team work activities to help them deal with the problems they face. An important point from the life skills sessions facilitated by LoveLife was the crucial link between self-confidence and motivation.

Participants said they were happy to have had the opportunity to attend the camp and to make new friends. They said they had learned the importance of making use of every opportunity open to youth to better their lives. They had become more aware of how to communicate better with people from different backgrounds as well as the importance of team work.

Cornelius Malgas of DCAS said the youth who attended the camp “must become the change they want to see in the world”. He expressed the hope that participants would share what they learned with youth who were not able to attend the camp.