Children in Bermuda are set for an exciting summer season, according to the Coordinator of the Department of Youth and Sport summer day camp programme.

This year the camps will take on names which are indigenous to Bermuda and will all fall under the theme of "What's in a camp name''.

The camps will begin on June 29 and will run until July 28 or August 13, depending on if they are a five-week or seven-week camp.

Camp Loquat will be at Somerset Primary, Camp Palmetto at Port Royal, Camp Bermudez at Paget Primary, Camp Chameleon at Gilbert Institute, Camp Hibiscus at Northlands Primary, Camp Pontoon at Dellwood Middle School and Camp Wahoo at Whitney Institute Middle School.

"The hope is that each camp will do research projects about the name,'' said Norbert Simons.

This year there are eight camps. They are intended for children in Primary 1 through Primary 6, with the teen camps focusing on the ages of 11 to 15 years.

"Normally, each camp takes 100 children,'' Mr. Simons added. "Most camps were full last year.'' Each camp will cost $25 per week and run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. If parents want to keep their children there up until 5.45 p.m., the cost will be $30 per week.

When asked about the prices, Mr. Simons responded: "Compared to the private sector camps which can average $75 to $100 per week, we're only asking $5 a day.'' Another important aspect of the camps this year is the inclusion of children with special needs. Mr. Simons explained that "special needs have always been a part''.

But he added: "It's hoped they will continue this year. It adds to the camping experience.'' As for the diversity of the camps, Mr. Simons admitted that it was "not an ideal balance''.

He called it a "reflection of society''.

"A lot depends on the school,'' Mr. Simons said referring to the common misconception about schools by many people in the community.

"There are some phobias about going to different schools.'' He pointed to the fact that when CedarBridge Academy was first opened, "parents didn't want their children going to CedarBridge''.

In all, Mr. Simons said he was looking forward to the coming season. Each camp will also incorporate the International Year of the Older Person by having the various camps adopt a seniors group.

Registration for the camps is still open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will be open until the camps are full.

Graphic file name: NORSIMON Name game: Norbert Simons