Left to Right: Attending Eco-fishing opening ceremony are Supt. Wendell Deveaux, Jeff Albury West End Town Council member, ASP Kenwood Taylor
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Freeport, Grand Bahama - The West End Neighbourhood Policing held their opening ceremony
for the second [Bonefishing] Eco-Fishing Camp at West End this weekend.
The camp is fully sponsored by The Ginn West End Foundation and
this year will have 42 participants ranging from 8 - 15 years olds.
Linda Cooper, Chairman of the West End Eco-Fishing Camp
Association, is playing a pivotal role once again. Cooper is a retired
Master Sargeant US Army having served from 1978-1999. She then spent 3
years in the Dept. of Defence as a Logistic Management Specialist.
Cooper hopes for the children to become acquainted with the marine
environment and it is her desire that opportunities would be available
in the future that leads to employment.
42 campers are eager commence the 12 week eco-fishing programme
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Keith Cooper, a volunteer and key player in this year's camp
stressed safety matters to the youth. With many years experience in
the hospitality industry, Cooper hopes for the participants to become
so inspired that they would want to plan a career in the fishing
industry, more particularly, in the West End eco-tourism field. He
plans teaching to the students that they are caretakers of the earth
and hopes that they will understand the importance of discipline and
responsiblity, as well as, have an overall appreciation for their
environment.
Several of the campers expressed what they wanted from the
camp experience. 14 year old KC and 15 year old Darius said that they
simply want to learn how to fish and swim better. 15 year old Brazique
says that she wants to learn something that will help her in the future
and she is also hoping to have some fun.
There are many female campers who are keen to learn how to fish and swim, they range from 8 - 15 years old
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The 12 week camp commences March 6th with the motto being 'Esprit
de Corps' ~ teaching the children the importance of having a 'Group
Spirit'. In the Fall, the 10 best students from this camp will be
selected to participate in an advanced swimming and snorkelling camp.
The camp commences March 6 and is spearheaded by the West End Neighbouring Police department, along with a corp of volunteers headed by Linda Cooper
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Imparting words of wisdom, ASP Kenwood Taylor from the West End
Police Dept. told the audience, 'If you teach a man to fish for a day,
he can survive for a lifetime". Supt. Wendell Deveaux offered
congratulations to the organzers and the Ginn West End Foundation and
stated 'the potential for the camp is limitless as it teaches one to
care for, love and appreciate each other and he emphasized that it
helps the campers by providing spiritual and physical growth. He also
told that campers that by learning discipline and skills, they will
also learn how to assist financially within their families."
