7 News Belize

Easter Camps, All In
posted (April 19, 2011)
Last night we showed you a pair of weekend activities that engaged young basketball players and band members.

Tonight, we'll look at two Easter camps, one for basketball and one for soccer. Monica started at the Rose Classic Camp this morning:

Monica Bodden Reporting:

It's the 5th year for the Rose Classic basketball games- and it's being held at the Bird's Isle. The two week long basketball tournament aims at giving youngsters an opportunity to shoot some hoops And stay off the streets. On Saturday - over 200 hundred youths signed up to be a part of the event.

Cleon Hyde, President Rose Classic
"I had over 225 over the weekend, and with the word being spread through the news media, I have over 300 kids. Unfortunately, I don't have enough uniforms for more so now I had to start thinking about what my plan is going to be for next year. I've exceeded my expectation of 300 kids."

The project is the brainchild of Belizean American Cleon Hyde - who has partnered with the Belize City Council to make the event an annual one.

Cleon Hyde
"It's a two-week tournament. We have kids between the ages of 9 and 18 year-old. What I do is just come and give the kids uniforms, and allow them to play and have fun. As everyone knows, I teamed up with the Belize City Council and they have been supportive of what I've been doing. I've even have something set up where the ant-crime and drug group is going to come out and speak to the kids on a daily basis. We also have a breakfast club that starts at 7:30 in the morning, and we give the kids sandwiches and stuff like that - bananas, oranges, and all that stuff. But you know, they just come out in the mornings and exercise and enjoy the two weeks of vacation they have from school."

Glenda Estrada is the MVP of her high school. She says programs like this - not only give her an opportunity to show off her talent- but also to meet new friends.

Glenda Estrada
"I started at like two years ago, because I saw my aunt playing the stuff, and she used to take me to the basketball court. I used to go play for fun, but now I really get to like it because when I play with girls they scratch me and stuff. You always feel pain in the game, but when you play with boy, and you knock one of their balls or you box it out of the air, you get fame and everyone screams for you. So that's why I got to like it."

Monica Bodden
"Now how were you introduced to actually be a part of the Rose Classic Tournament?"

Glenda Estrada
"I was by my mother and this boy, Kevin - he actually - I was playing with them, and he told me that he was here for 2 years straight, and that it would happen again this Easter. I didn't have anything to do so I came."

Cleon Hyde
"This gives them a fresh breath - fresh airs to come out here and interact with other kids, other classmates, and even get the opportunity to meet and know other new people. So far it's been pretty good, and they like it - they look forward to it. I think it's going to be something that going to happen for quite some time."

Monica Bodden
"Is this your first time at the Rose Classic?"

Participant
"Yes Ma'am."

Monica Bodden
Why did you guys actually decided to take part in this basketball event."

Participant
"Because we like to play ball."

Participant
"We like it and it's fun to play."

Participant
"Well, the same thing."

Monica Bodden
"Now you guys play basketball a lot? Is this a sport that you guys enjoy?"

Participant
"Yes Ma'am"

Participant
"Yes Miss"

Monica Bodden
"So will you guys come out every day to be a part of this event?"

Participant
"Yes Miss"

Monica Bodden
"Is it challenging so far? You met any friends?"

Participant
"Yes Miss"

Monica Bodden
"A lot of friends?"

Participant
"Yes Ma'am."

The basketball camp wraps up on April Thirtieth. According to Hyde, this is the biggest turnout he's had so far.

And from that camp in the morning many of the kids go to a football camp in the afternoon.

It's called the Easter Cup and it's an event sponsored by Crime Stoppers. We found out more:

Mike Kora, Board Member Crime Stoppers
"Well the importance of this initiative is to proactive with Crime Stoppers. We like to initiate things that will create positive influence in the community. Part of this is the build character and integrity in the boys. It's a time where Easter break - there's plenty of time on their hands and if we can keep them active in sports activities where they can work hard and learn sportsmanship, integrity, and hard-work."

Kenny Morgan, Coach
"I always that if we don't do something for them today, we'll have to do something to them tomorrow. So it's better that we come out here and spend this time with them, work with them, try to help them to develope into good citizens, learn discipline, sportsmanship, respect for other people. That's what it's all about. We have to talk the US Embassy and Crime Stoppers; we need more events like this. This one is on the Easter Cup, we would like to see something that would stretch out longer and include an under 12 and under-17, where we get more of the young boys involved. Those boys work out everyday from 4:30 to 6:30; they come out religiously and don't miss. They are dedicated, committed and enthusiastic about this. So I say that we have to find the resources and the time that they need to give them the support in the activities."

Jules Vasquez
"You feel that it makes a difference in their everyday lives to have someone - some program actively involved and invested in their development?"

Kenny Morgan
"All these young boys, when you see them talking to their coach or manager, they say, 'Yes sir, no sir, yes ma'am, no ma'am'. The first thing that they start to learn is respect for themselves and other people. That's a big step towards making them well-rounded citizens. They learn discipline that they have to adhere to the rules of the game and the decisions of the official. They learn to make judgements - a whole lot of things the game is teaching them. I am glad for this - I wish this - long time ago I said that I would get involved. No I am involved, and I am not going to stop."

Participant
"So far, the tournament is being good because we just picked our first win."

Participant
"We develop a skill because after the Easter Break, they will call us back to go play the national team."

Jules Vasquez
"Now if you all weren't here doing this, what would you have been doing?"

Participant
"Obviously nothing."

Participant
"They trained us very well because yesterday we were touch the ball between each other and we did very well."

Participant
"At first I didn't know how to play football very well, but I just came to the game and looked around and see them. I then learnt their moves."

Jules Vasquez
"You guys think you'll win the tournament?"

Participant
"We don't know but we'll try our best because we're all winners."

Participant
"I want give a shout-out to slingshots for providing these shirts, our coach, Mr. Javier, for teaching us all the things about football."

Jules Vasquez
"You feel good to beat this team?"

Participant
"Yes sir, We learn discipline."

Jules Vasquez
"What's the best part about being with this team?"

Participant
"We don't give much trouble and they teach respect."

Participant
"They teach you respect and show you that you have do well in school to be on this team."

Jules Vasquez
"If you all weren't out here playing football, what would you be doing?"

Participant
"We wouldn't have been home; we would have been about idling ourselves."

Jules Vasquez
"And you?"

Participant
"It would have been boring to me."

Jules Vasquez
"And you, Sir?"

Participant
"Well me sir, right now I would have been at home playing videogames with my brother learning moves off the football game that we have."

That camp also runs for two weeks.

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