The Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports, Agriculture and Lands (MEYSAL) announces that approximately 370 students are registered to participate in its extended holiday programme.

“The extended holiday programmes and activities are certainly off to an encouraging start. I am happy that so many parents have seized the opportunity to ensure that their children are meaningfully engaged in a safe, well-supervised environment during the extended Christmas break,” commented Minister of Education, Hon. Juliana O’Connor-Connolly.

The programmes and activities, which commenced on Monday, 4 January 2021, range from one-day events to two-week camps and cater to children from age four upwards. Programmes and activities are being offered the Youth Services Unit (YSU), the Department of Sports (DoS) and the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA).

“It has been a pleasure for the YMCA to team up with the Department of Education Services (DES) and MEYSAL to offer The Y Extended Holiday Programmes. So far, we have averaged 212 participants every day across all six sites. Participants have had a blend of traditional day camp activities (e.g. sports, arts & crafts, field games) and after-school staples, including STEM, academic enrichment, and social, emotional learning. For the older participants at the Field of Dreams, leadership and teamwork activities have been at the forefront of the Teen Challenge Camp,” stated Mr. Craig Robinson, After-school Programme Director, YMCA Cayman Islands.

Sharon Woodman, who has two children registered to the Y Extended Holiday Programme, is quite satisfied with the offerings. “The programme is not only convenient for working parents but also quite flexible as it relates to transportation. The meals are also a plus,” stated Ms. Woodman. “My children look forward to attending each day.”

Programme participants are provided with breakfast, lunch and snacks daily. Transportation is also offered to students for specific activities upon request.

For a complete list of programmes and activities being offered by government departments, visit following link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NSJ38HM.

The extended holiday programmes and activities will conclude on Friday, 15 January 2021.