Discovery camp builds positive outlook in kids

The Kool Adventure Camp (KAC) of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI) conducted a three-day discovery camp last Aug. 12 to 14 and Aug. 24 to 26 to the beneficiaries of the Child and Family Healing, Recovery and Re-Integration program at the Girl Scout of the Philippines Camp Marina in Lahug, Cebu City.

The discovery camp helped the participants improve their self-awareness, build positive outlook and confidence, and set personal goals through games, creative presentations, self-evaluation and small group sharing.

Fifty-nine children of Bidlisiw Foundation Inc. who experienced corporal punishment, substance abuse, juvenile delinquency and other child issues participated in the discovery camp.

Franco Otero, one of the KAC facilitators during the camp, noted that almost all of the participants expressed desire to complete their studies to help their families and improve their quality of life.

“I will try my best to achieve my dreams in life,” was among the statements written in Tagalog by one of the participants during the mask-making activity.

The discovery camp is part of the child and family healing program of the Dolores Aboitiz Children’s Fund of RAFI together with the Bidlisiw Foundation Inc.

The two-year program, which started in 2009, is now on its second year of implementation.

It is designed to improve the health conditions of 140 families in barangay Ermita, Cebu City, facilitate back-to-school plans of the over-age and out-of-school children, protect children from abuse and exploitation and enhance livelihood skills among family members to augment their income.

KAC is an organization member of the Association for Challenge Course Technology-USA and Association for Experiential Education-USA.

For more information about KAC, call 418-7234 local 207 and look for Daphne Dia or visit www.rafi.org.ph.