Sun protection strategies in place at summer camps run by Dolphin Quest and the Bermuda National Trust were praised for their effectiveness by the Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre.

The recognition came as part Sunsmart, a campaign the Centre launched to educate the public on ways of protecting children from the sun.

To share that information, the organisation pays regular visits to the Island's schools and also holds a workshop to teach camp counsellors how to prevent kids from getting sunburned during the hot summer months.

This is the second time Dolphin Quest has won the award – the first was in 2006.

The award was a first for the Bermuda National Trust, which won because of efforts by its Treasure Seekers History Camp.

Nineteen summer camps participated in the Centre's Sunsmart leaders and counsellor training sessions, which began in May.

In August, representatives from the Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre made visits to the 19 camps to observe how they had put Sunsmart practices in place.

According to Pauline Girling, marketing and public relations director for the Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre, representatives found Dolphin Quest and the Treasure Seekers to be doing an outstanding job in combining summer fun and using sun protection strategies.

Said Ms Girling: "Sun exposure is the most preventable risk factor for all skin cancers including melanoma.

"Both camps, Dolphin Quest and National Trust's Treasure Seekers History Camp, demonstrated their commitment to keeping their campers safe in the sun whilst having fun at summer camp."

The Sunsmart Programme was established in 2005 with the financial help of Allied World Assurance Company. It was developed and promoted by the Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre to help educate the public about safe sun habits for young children and the youth of Bermuda.