DOH offers free summer camp for local youngsters, hopeful to include Manu’a next year

Pictured here is a DHSS employee (far right), taking notes while addressing several youngsters about the negative effects of smoking during the first ever DOH Healthy Kids Summer Camp held July 24-27	All the youngsters who participated in this year's Healthy Kids Summer Camp received free dental screening services thanks to the Department of Health who hosted the event.	DOH dentist Dr. Inoke Siasau stressed the importance of proper dental hygiene to the participants of the first ever Healthy Kids Summer Camp held at the Utulei Convention Center on July 24.

While some young people spent their summer vacation off island, in summer school, or just hanging out at home, close to 100  youngsters participated in the first ever Healthy Kids Summer Camp program hosted by the Department of Health at the Convention Center in Utulei.

The camp lasted three days, July 24-27, with each day dedicated to educating kids from the eastern, central, and western districts, respectively.

DOH medical director Dr. Ivan Tuliau said that the summer program is not budgeted but the event was held as a way to educate young people about the importance of maintaining a balanced lifestyle.

He added that they plan to offer the same program for the kids in Manu’a by next year.

During the camp, youngsters participated in sessions focused on proper dental hygiene, the importance of getting immunized, the negative effects of smoking, the benefits of exercising, and practicing healthy eating habits.

Tuliau said that the best way to promote wellness is to start at a young age. “We hope that the participants of the summer program will take with them what they learned and put it to practice, so they can live long healthy lives,” he said.

The theme for this year’s summer camp was “Living Healthy Starts With Me.” In addition to informative sessions conducted by DOH personnel and representatives from the Department of Human and Social Services, camp participants had fun taking part in fun exercise activities, physical exams, and free screenings for hemoglobin and high blood pressure.

The event was a success, despite the absence of Maternal and Child Health Care program coordinator Jackie Tulafono who played a key role in making this year’s event possible.

Camp participants were selected by church and youth leaders representing different religious denominations and villages from all across the territory.

Tuliau said that based on the response and the success of this year’s event, it is highly likely that the summer camp will become an annual event.