LAOAG CITY (April 23) – For ten days, special kids from street children, orphans, abandoned, mentally and physically challenged and children with autism will gather together for an interactive learning experience in a summer camp.
JJ Jacinto, a volunteer, said the summer camp encourages special children to be who they are.
“It is an environment where a child is respected for who he is, accepted for what he can do and celebrated for what he can become,” he said.
Beginning April 26, more than 200 children will hold camp at the Gabaldon Elementary School grounds here for days of fun-filled learning activities.
Events lined up include mask-making, pedyalimpics, theater and arts, nature hiking and storytelling, among others.
Most children will come from shelter homes in Manila. They will be joined by around 80 children that the city and provincial social welfare and development had selected.
Children have been touring cities and towns outside Metro Manila for the last two decades since 1991 for the annual Pedya Kamp.
The annual pedya kamp had been supported by the God’s Special Children, Inc. and hundreds of volunteers.
Laoag is the camp’s sixth summer destination in Northern Luzon. The camp had been to San Fernando in La Union in 2002, Vigan City in 2004, Cauayan in Isabela in 2006, Aparri in Cagayan in 2008 and Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya in 2009.
Summer is for beaches and fun outdoors. For special children, summer is learning while travelling. (JCR/CCA – PIA 1 Ilocos Norte)
