More than 20 children from the Marina Brewster Centre at Farrs, St Peter and The Cottage Nightingale Children’s Home Complex were able to de-stress last Saturday when they spent the day frolicking on the beach and enjoying a range of activities at Rascals of Barbados.
Under the supervision of officials and with health and safety protocols in place, the children, ages 9 to 15, took part in a range of beach activities throughout the day and enjoyed lunch at the Brandons beach facility.
The day of activities, which was done with support from the Bridgetown Port Taxi Co-op Society Ltd., is to become a staple for the children from the children’s homes across the island, at least three times per year.
Operator and Team Leader at Rascals of Barbados Robert Myers told Barbados TODAY this was his way of giving back.
Rascals of Barbados first hosted a Christmas party for children from a children’s home during the Christmas of 2019, and it was then that Myers decided he would make that an annual tradition. However, not wanting to wait until the end of the year, he said the decision was taken to let the children visit the location and have the full experience at Rascals of Barbados every quarter instead.
“We are giving them a fun day and eventually this will be a regular thing. We will have a day in our calendar for various orphanages so they have something to look forward to,” he said.
“We do this for the children first and foremost. We do it for the children and see how much fun they get out of it,” he said.
Among the activities at Rascals are a water park, kayaking, paddle boarding and volleyball.
“We are doing good business and it is a pleasure to share … We are dedicated to giving the children a good day,” said Myers.
Julie-Ann Hall, Child Care Officer with the Child Care Board, told Barbados TODAY the children were very excited about the opportunity to get out and enjoy themselves, adding that “with all the COVID-19 developments around them it is a way for them to de-stress and have fun”.
“They too have been stressed during this whole COVID-19 pandemic. It is a time for them to relax and recreate in an environment where they are safe and happy. Socialisation is a big part of growing up, especially for teenagers. So, this is a part of their socialisation to recreate together, and come out among others and experience this location,” said Hall.
This is the second time for the year that the bigger children are visiting the location and the first time for the younger ones.
Hall said she was grateful for the opportunity being afforded to the children.
“The Child Care Board thanks Rascals for their generosity and kindness shown to the children. We really are grateful for this opportunity to come out here and utilise their facilities,” she said. (MM)
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