The Bermuda Cancer & Health Centre is feeling especially pleased with the success of its SunSmart Programme.The skin cancer educational programme began accrediting summer day camps three years ago and now boasts that its message has been imparted to thousands of the Island’s children.The centre’s education officer, Rhonda Smith-Simmons, said many of the Island’s children better understand the importance of protecting their bodies from the harmful rays of the sun as a result of their programme.Last year the SunSmart message was presented in a skit at 27 preschools and 18 primary schools.Having the children actively involved in protecting themselves every day at camp means they’re more likely to adopt it as a habit, Ms Smith-Simmons said.“And hopefully they will continue this into adulthood,” she said.Skin cancer is the most prevalent cancer in Bermuda.Exposure accumulates over time this means that a child who spends a lot of time in the sun could have a tumour when they’re an adult, as a result of that behaviour.The basic public awareness message is to get everyone to remember and adhere to the five S’s of sun smartness: slip on protective clothing, slop on sunscreen, slap on a broad-brimmed hat, seek shade and slide on sunglasses.The SunSmart accreditation goes even further. Ms Smith-Simmons said camp staff attend an hour-long training session with her as the main part of the process.“We don’t need everyone from the camp,” she said. “Mostly we get the camp owners but some camps will send all their staff. Dolphin Quest send all their senior counsellors.”Depending on the numbers Ms Smith-Simmons said she sometimes conducts the training at the camp itself.“I explain the dangers of the sun, how children’s skin is more sensitive and the importance of wearing sunscreen, protective clothing, staying hydrated and seeking shade,” she said.The lecture includes advice on how to create a SunSmart policy for the camp. A camp will not receive accreditation if it does not submit its policy to Ms Smith-Simmons or if she finds the policy lacking.“We also do site visits to the camps as part of the accreditation process,” she said.Armed with a checklist Ms Smith-Simmons said she and her staff look for things like sunburned children, hatless campers and even hatless camp counsellors. That’s because camp staff should be setting a good example.Another question on the checklist asks if the camp has a sunscreen schedule.This is where a certain time is allotted everyday where the campers are advised to apply their sunscreen.Ms Smith-Simmons said children are likely to forget to reapply sunscreen throughout the day unless they are prompted to do so.Camps are graded on their adherence to the SunSmart principles and must achieve 70 percent or higher to be accredited. The designation lasts for three years and entitles the camp to use the centre’s logo.Staff and campers also get free broad-brimmed hats, an emergency supply of sunscreen (to accommodate children who forget theirs) and activity books for the campers.To date 13 local camps have been accredited.Ms Smith-Simmons said she believes the programme has significantly increased the amount of people getting the message and acting on it.“We see evidence all over the Island,” she said. “We see children wearing the hats we’ve provided. We think the idea is growing and people are listening.“I am pleased with the progress of the programme. I think people are taking it more seriously that the sun’s rays are more damaging than they were years ago.”