POLICE youth groups of the Weldaad and Fort Wellington police stations, Region Five, recently participated in a two-day “Survival Camp” held by the Community Relations Department of the Guyana Police Force.

The camp was part of an ongoing programme of positive engagement with youths in these communities.

The programme for boys aged 11 to 16 was held in the Blairmont Police Station Compound at Blairmont, West Bank Berbice.

The training included learning to cook in the jungle using holes in the ground, learning to sleep without beds, learning to improvise in basics such as making shelter, acquiring water and food in outdoors survival conditions, learning the various types of knots that are useful, among other things.

Participant Neil Solomon described the two-day event as fun, educational and inspirational and thanked the Police Force for giving himself and his friends the chance to learn the vital life skills.

Guyana Police Force Berbice Division, Community Relations Officer, Assistant Superintendent of Police, Mark Vigilance said the aim of the programme was to promote self-esteem, resourcefulness, independence, leadership, judgement and tolerance, among the young participants.

Inspector C. Kelly, who coordinates community relations programmes in Sub- Division Three (West Berbice), said it is one of several ongoing engagements by the Police Force in West Berbice with youths.

Other activities include the staging of a well-attended fun day at the Hopetown Community Centre Ground, basketball competitions and kite distribution last Easter, among others.

She disclosed that her department is in the middle of organising a Spelling Bee Competition intended for members of the youth groups divided into three age groups.These are:seven to nine years old;10 -14 years old and fourteen to sixteen years old.