Mr. Speaker,
I am pleased to rise this morning to inform Honourable Members of this House and the Public about the Out of School Programme – “Adventure Daze! 2025”, which is being organized by the Office of Youth Affairs.

Mr. Speaker,
The Office of Youth Affairs or TOYA remains committed to empowering our young people, their families and our community, which is reflected in the various programme offerings that are designed and planned. The programmes, whether held before school, after school or during the school breaks are available for all youth ages 4 to 12 years old.

Mr. Speaker,
These specific programmes have been accredited through the Bermuda National Standards Committee and for more than 30 years supporting parents and guardians by providing activities in safe spaces facilitated by TOYA Programme Workers who are dedicated to the development of our youth. All Programme Workers are SCARS and CPR certified, and SunSmart trained. The Programme Workers who will be operating the out of school programme are currently participating in training to update their skills and knowledge in preparation for the start of the upcoming “Adventure Daze! 2025” programme.

Mr. Speaker,
Although the out of school “Adventure Daze! 2025” programme has been promoted in the media and on TOYA social media platforms, such as, Instagram - toyabda, I wanted to ensure parents and guardians are aware of the availability of this engaging out of school programme. Adventure Daze! 2025 is designed specifically for children who have completed preschool to Primary 6 providing them with an enriching, fun and safe environment to explore, learn, and interact with their peers.

Mr. Speaker,
This programme will operate from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm for five weeks commencing Monday, June 30th and concluding on Friday, August 1st, 2025. The out of school “Adventure Daze! 2025” programme will be offered at two community centres operated by TOYA - at the Western Zone Community Centre, located at 13 Kitchener Road, Sandys and at the Eastern Zone Community Centre at 6 Old Military Road, St. George. The Western Zone Community Centre has a capacity for 36 children, while 48 children can be accommodated at the Eastern Zone Community Centre.

Mr. Speaker,
The cost of the out of school programme is $60.00 per week or two service vouchers, which can be purchased at any post office. To reserve a space for a child in the programme, parents and guardians must pay $60.00 for the first week during online registration at OSPBERMUDA.BM. 

Mr. Speaker,
The out of school “Adventure Daze! 2025” programme will provide engaging and educational activities that align with the eight goals outlined in the National Youth Policy. The activities have been creatively developed around weekly themes, such as:
• Treasure Island,
• Life is a Beach,
• Bermuda Shorts, and
• Splash into Cup Match. 

These weekly themes aim to encourage our youth to have an appreciation for Bermuda’s local culture and environmental awareness. The themes also promote teamwork and creativity of our youth while fostering their personal growth and social skills through unique experiences. “Adventure Daze! 2025” ensures young people will leave the programme at the end of the 5 weeks with not just memorable experiences but with an enhancement of their personal skills and knowledge that will last a lifetime. 

Mr. Speaker,
Some of the personal skills and knowledge our youth will acquire are:

• learning to tie basic knots, an essential skill for an aspiring sailor,
• making local flavoured ice cream,
• engaging in interactive sessions highlighting the importance of marine conservation and Bermuda’s unique marine environment,
• having group discussions focused on the importance of communication and respect when interacting with peers, and
• engaging in cultural discussions about the history and significance of Cup Match Mr. Speaker, highlighting both the Somerset and the St George Cup Match teams.
 

Mr. Speaker,
The online registration for the out of school “Adventure Daze! 2025” programme opened this morning. I encourage parents and guardians to register their children soon for this one-of-a-kind out of school experience, as spaces are limited.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.