Summer campers share good times with seniors
Young Observer joined Keisha Douglas and her Camp Pontoon Team at Packwood Seniors Home in Somerset on Tuesday for Camp Pontoon, one of six of the Government summer camps. The camp is based at Northlands Primary and its theme “keep it clean” refers to mind, body and the environment.The children and counsellors have been rehearsing songs at their camp and it paid off, the campers were well rehearsed and gave the seniors at Packwood Home a quality production. It included dance, songs and campers Ms Fleming and Mr Broadbelt reading to the seniors.Members of the seniors audience included Dalton Tucker, Hilda Smith, Albert Simmons and George Souza. Nelda Smith, nurse manager, and Karen Mitchell, accounts office manager from Packwood Home, said they were delighted with the performance.Ms Douglas said: “Camp Pontoon campers and counsellors love our seniors and under the Summer Day Camp new initiative “We Care” campaign, it was only fitting for us to celebrate the Seniors at Packwood Rest Home.“The campers and counsellors collected over seven large bags of dry and canned goods which ranged from cases of toilet paper to dish washing liquid, cereal, cream, juice, tuna fish, etc. It is our hope that during these hard economic times, the generosity of Camp Pontoon will help to alleviate some of the burden for our seniors.“The campers and counselors truly enjoyed visiting with the seniors and they were in awe at how agile and beautiful many of the seniors appeared, especially because we learned that they were many were 90 years plus, with the eldest being 105. We had a great, great time sharing our Camp Creed and singing songs and reading for the seniors.”In addition to the laughter of the children and seniors it was noticeable to see how much the young camp counsellors enjoyed the event.Calin Maybury, 18, has just graduated from The Berkeley Institute. He is excited about his role as Camp Counsellor. He told us: “I like working with children, today would be a highlight for me, seeing the seniors with the children. My role is to make sure the children do what they need to do.”Niambi Landy, 16, attends CedarBridge Academy. She told us: “I like children and I want to decide over this six weeks of camp whether I will work with children for a career.”Assistant supervisor at the camp was Takisha Smith.Those involved in the camp are:Five and six-year-oldsCounsellors: Saje Simons, Diane Brown & Myrtia EberlyRio WalkerMckenzii PittJahzae Bean-LawrenceAmari PenistonIshaan RangtaJamir HatherleyNishikh BishtSolay-yah SmithCanasia WolffeDeyori WhiteDonavin ButterfieldXaana GreenNy’Asia WhiteJahmaria Foster-GilbertJakobi AlbuoyChristena DavisDariana RuizBrianna EliSeven-year-oldsCounsellors: Niambi Landy-Philpott & Michaela BeanAlex LimaKeiaron BeanKaelyn FlemingJoshua FlemingDekada GilbertCameron BezantShemya DeshieldsSir-Jahri TrottJulio CabreraSophia CardAzaiya Russell-SmithDiallo DesilvaSheun SimmonsAzra ShakirEight-year-oldsCounsellors: Keisha Bean & Thoshlae SmithMalachi PaynterJaden HolderMichael DeSilvaChanz GoodwinJahni DarrellJaquan DarrellAdonai BolinKwynn DillNoel DillYazik GoviaDakahri BaileyDante’ WaldronChaz DarrellEijaz ShakirNine and ten-year-oldsCounsellors: Tyra-Lynn Simmons, Akilah Berkeley-Bremar & Calin MayburyMelai PerottKeith WormsNkosi BoylesJahdae YorkDeidre’ SmithNikai DyerJah’dae Broadbelt-Jehki ThomasOther counsellors present:Amber Douglas, Karen deChabert, Krystal Bean & Lejuan Simmons.