PMA Office Hosts Successful Summer Day-Camp 2020

On Thursday, July 30, 2020, a group of 20 youth from schools and organisations in Soufriere; such as the Soufriere Primary, Soufriere Secondary, Soufriere Youth and Sports Council, and the PMA-UNESCO Club gathered at the Leisure Inn Conference Centre, New Development, Soufriere for an abridged version of the Annual Summer Day-Camp organised by the Pitons Management Area (PMA) Office of the Department of Sustainable Development.

The main aim of the camp was to increase public awareness of the rare Juniperus Barbadensis or Pencil Cedar (a.k.a. Piton Christmas Tree) endemic to Petit Piton, Soufriere, Saint Lucia. The camp also sought to engage participants in the propagation of the rare plant. Summer Day-Camp 2020 began with the usual introduction and presentation on the PMA. Things soon changed into high gear thanks to the Fauna and Flora International (FFI) representative in Saint Lucia Mr. Adams Toussaint, who presented on the rare plant species and Mr. Melvin Smith, Field Botanist attached to the FFI project in Saint Lucia, who has successfully propagated the rare plant.

The highlight of the camp was the field trip to the IWECo Project Nursery in Fond St Jacques where campers participated in plant propagation activities. The results of their efforts are being closely monitored and will; be reported on the PMA Web and Social Media pages in the coming months.  In reflecting on the days proceeding, Manager at the PMA Office, Augustine Dominique noted that he was extremely impressed with young Isiah Abraham. His keen interest during the plant propagation session provided encouragement for the participation of young men in these types of activities and ultimately the future of this programme in the Soufriere community.

Summer Day-Camp 2020 ended on a high note with prizes being awarded to participants who responded correctly during a short quiz on the morning presentations. The camp was dubbed a resounding success thanks to the participation of the 20 youth from Soufriere who were all presented with Certificates of Participation. Funding for the camp came from the Department of Sustainable Development, the lead agency for the PMA Office; and from the FFI project in Saint Lucia. The PMA Office expressed its sincere thanks to the representatives of FFI for the organisation's contribution to the hosting of the activity. Special presentations were made to FFI representative Mr. Adams Toussaint and Mr. Melvin Smith, and young Isiah Abraham.