From April 24 to May 4, children from our Aime and Jade Homes participated in two simultaneous summer camps, Kamp Pagkakaisa and Camp Journey, which were held at Sto. Domingo, Ilocos Sur and Lubang Island, Mindoro, respectively. These are annual 10-day summer camps for children with special needs organized by PVI-Foundation, Inc. and Tenth Journey Society, Inc.
A total of 36 Virlanie children (21 from Aime and 15 from Jade) participated in the two camps. Ten (10) Aime Home children joined Kamp Pagkakaisa, while the remaining 11 children attended Camp Journey with the children of Jade Home.
According to Yannie Martinez, Aime Home’s social worker, both camps sought to improve the social skills of the children by allowing them to participate in games and activities that involved teamwork and interaction with fellow children with special needs. “Sa Kamp Pagkakaisa and Camp Journey kasi, nag-iinvite sila ng children with special needs from organizations like Virlanie and from the local community kung saan gaganapin yung camp. Bale ang purpose talaga ng camps is for the children to have fun and experience new things gaya ng Santacruzan, at makipag-socialize with other children. (In Kamp Pagkakaisa and Camp Journey, they invited children with special needs from organizations like Virlanie and from the local communities where the camps took place. The main purpose of the camps is for the children to have fun and experience new things like Flores de Mayo, and to socialize with other children),” said Yannie.
In Kamp Pagkakaisa, the children had the opportunity to go swimming and join various fiesta-themed activities such as Santacruzan (Filipino pageant and procession held every May), Teleserye mo ‘to (acting contest), Palarong Pinoy (Filipino games), Barrio Fiesta (town fiesta), and the Clash (singing contest), among others.
On the other hand, children who joined Camp Journey took part in an arts festival, rampa (modelling) night, Teatrong Bulilit (children’s theater), cheer dance competition, cultural night, Palarong Pambata (children’s games), and campfire. Like Kamp Pagkakaisa, Camp Journey also had singing and dancing competitions, Santacruzan, and free swim time.
Take a look at some of the photos taken during the camps below:
