2009 Summer Camp
Pago Pago, American Samoa June 22, 2009 – First Lady Mary Ann Tulafono and seven department heads kick off Gear Up’s 3rd annual mini summer camps. Directors (including Acting Directors) of the Departments of Parks and Recreation, Agriculture, Marine and Wildlife Resources, Education, Human and Social Services, Health and the ASCC President joined in a cross-agency effort to deliver a comprehensive summer program blending academic enrichment with sports and recreation to 300 youth participating each day of the three week Gear Up Camp.
Department of Human and Social Services, in support of the First Lady’s TAITAITAMA Prevent Underage Drinking Initiative and the Department of Health Health Educators facilitated small group sessions each Monday teaching kids about the dangers of underage drinking, the effects of alcohol on the developing brain and how to resolve conflict, resist negative peer pressure, proper nutrition, physical fitness and teen health issues.
Youth participants, mostly 14-15 year old high school freshmen, attended three (3) different camps each week for the three-week session. Camp themes include Agriculture, Marine-Science, Sports (including Volleyball, Basketball, Flag Football and Soccer) and a technology camp using Autodesk and Algebra software at the ASCC ITT computer labs.
Agriculture camps feature exploration tours of the ASCC Community Natural Resource Land Grant Institute, the Department of Agriculture plant and vegetation farms and a site visit to Malota floral farms. Department of Marine & Wildlife Resources (DMWR) joined forces with GEAR UP in sharing their knowledge and skills in protecting the various fish, marine species and wildlife such as local fruit bats (pe’a). DMWR wrapped up their camp with a boat-ride and a tour around the Bay, a first experience for many of the GEAR UP students.
Computer techies enjoyed using Autodesk software to design Inventor 2009 curriculum assigned projects. Some student went on to design their own projects such as a coconut scraper, Samoan traditional kava bowl, traditional fashion ware and automotive designs. Autodesk teaches drafting, mechanical engineering, architectural design and animation 3D designs. Autodesk is the high school pre-requisite for the professional college-based AutoCAD, complex software used by architectural and engineer professionals being certified at the ASCC ITT.
The site for each camp depended on the type of camp and the partner agency hosting the camp. Kids rotate through different camps over the three weeks ending Thursday, July 2nd, 2009. Camp participation is free. All costs have been covered through local and federal resources provided by participating agencies and community partners.
This year’s GEAR UP mini camps have offered the greatest variety of focus areas accommodating a range of interests and skills of participating students. The partnership supported by seven major government agencies and the First Lady of American Samoa has proven very successful in leveraging resources and maximizing the benefit for our young students.
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