MORE than 150 children from across the country ended on Friday a six-day youth camp held in the Region 2 area of Essequibo by the Guyana Police Wives Association.

The concluded camp represented the GPF’s 22nd annual youth camp, and the curtains came down with dances, songs, dramatic pieces and poetry from the children, who hailed from various parts of the country and numbered 176 overall, including those from the Scouts Association.
While the children camped at various parts of Essequibo, they all assembled at the Aurora Secondary School at Pomona, Essequibo Coast, for the official closing of the camp.
Yesterday morning, the children all departed for their respective places of residence.
In her address at a ceremony to mark the closing of the camp, Mrs Grace Brumell, wife of Police Commissioner (ag) Leroy Brumell, said that while the camp was a successful one, it was not without its challenges.
This year’s youth camp was held under the theme: “Youths Leading Our Nation”. On Friday, the children were the ones who spearheaded the day’s activities, and Mrs Brumell used that as the first step in having the young people exposed to some form of leadership and responsibility.
In giving an overview of the camp, Mrs Brumell said the camp of 2013 would be one of the most memorable for her, especially because it was no easy task to manage 176 children. She added that, from the beginning, some parents had been expecting to see their children as part of the camp, but some of them did not make it for various reasons; while the lucky ones were lucky enough to be shortlisted.
Mrs. Brumell expressed much appreciation to the caregivers, who remained throughout the duration of the camp and did a fine job of what they were doing. The challenges the camp presented were a worthwhile experience, since it made the caregivers, children and herself a bit stronger, and allowed them to develop courage not to back down from challenges.
The works and products put out by the young campers over the six-day period were well noted and acknowledged, she said, while admitting that some of the children were going to forget the principles used in creating some of the art and craft and other works which were developed from scratch; but she was confident that there are those who would remember every detail. She said the door remains open to those who were not fortunate to grasp as quickly as some of their peers.
An invitation was extended to all those who participated in the camp of 2013 to feel free to join the camp next year.
One of the most notable periods of the camp, she noted, might have been when the caregivers and nurses on  the team had to deal with the belly, back and headaches, swollen joints and other temporary complaints as a result of a one-day outing which saw them flexing their muscles.
While some of the children called it exercise, Mrs. Brumell believes that the pains they suffered came from too little, and in some cases a total lack of physical activity similar  to what had been undertaken on that field trip.
That aside, the children got over those pains with a few massages, and the day’s adventure was considered a tremendous one.
Camp mother was Assistant Police Commissioner Primo, who was assisted by several representatives of the Police Wives Association and ranks from various divisions of the Guyana Police Force. However, what made the camp the success it really was,was the support received from management of the Guyana Police Force.
Meanwhile, Police Commissioner Leroy Brumell commended Mrs Brumell and team for a good job done, and said he was impressed with what he had seen and heard from the children with respect to reviews of the camp.
Mr. Brumell expressed confidence that many of the children who participated in the camp of 2013 would return to join the police force at a later date, when they would have attained the age to so do.
He charged them to retain what they had been taught and to ensure that they embrace the values to which they have been exposed. “Become ambassadors for your home and country,” he urged the young campers.
The police commissioner wished the children the best as they returned to their homes. He encouraged them to allow what was taught them to stick in their heads by putting the details of the camp into writing.
Commissioner Brumell encouraged the young people to write to their parents about their experiences at police camp 2013, even as the children were all smiles on Friday afternoon, just like the caregivers who had worked so tirelessly to ensure that the camp was successful.
A young camper from East Berbice in Region 6 was adjudged the best camper. For her efforts, she was rewarded monetarily by the top cop.
Those who performed on stage were also rewarded. Those who attend the annual Guyana Police Force youth camp are usually part of a graduation which is often organised for a later date after the camp would have concluded.