Seventy-eight strangers turned friends as the teens participated in Tagum Coop’s Youth Laboratory 3rd Summer Youth Camp held on May 4-5, 2018 at Energy Park, Apokon, Tagum City. The two-day-one-night has a theme “Bring the Change! Be the youth Leader with a heart.”
Youth participants did not only hail from the city of Tagum but there were also participants who came in as far as Davao City and the Municipalities of Sto. Tomas, Nabunturan and Laak. The fun-filled event does not only boast of playful activities but also unforgettable learnings. Inputs from different speakers nourished the minds of the youth during the 1st day of the event. Ms. Michelle B. Claridad, MPA, MHRM and Ms. Liez Diane Malanguis imparted their knowledge in Financial Literacy and Career Planning respectively. Ms. Millie Ortiz treated the youth to a detailed explanation on Health and Lifestyle and afterwards Mr. Crispel Omallao taught the youth hands-on exercises on Basic First Aid. During the evening a Solidarity Night was waiting for them wherein Mr. Rafaello Cedric Callao bagged the Mr. Summer Youth Camp and Ms. Nina Leila C. Deapera won the counterpart as Ms. Summer Youth Camp. Colorful tents were then propped on the open stage to signal the end of the day.
Morning sun awakens the participants with limbs stretched to their limits as they experienced the lively Challenge Valley, an obstacle course also set up during the World Youth Camp 2018. The youth participants considered the Challenge Valley a highlight as they got back to their tents in high-spirits.
During the closing program, Ms. Lindy Loraine L. Asidoy,16, a five-year Youth Member of Tagum Coop and the incumbent Youth Chairperson gives a heart-warming message to all her fellow participants stating that she’s thankful and honoured to share her passion to serve others.
Through this opportunity she was also able to help her fellow youth. “I hope that whatever we learn during Tagum Coop’s activities such as the likes of Youth Camp, we will be able to share it with our fellow youth, most of all not to forget their responsibilities and obligations as part of the youth community.” Asidoy also plans on being a regular Tagum Coop someday even when she gets to college and commits to continue serving the Coop by attending their various activities. During her term, Asidoy proposes outreach activities at Gloria Christi Regis Center for Street and Abandoned Children and the Badjao Community hopefully to push through to help her fellow youth learn about the importance of reaching out and helping the community which is also in line with the 7th Cooperative Principle “Concern for Community”.
Ms. Jenalyn Rivera, Youth Program Officer, emphasizes on the significance of molding the youth members at a young age to deepen their understanding of the cooperative life since they are potential future regular coop members. “As of now, they may not take the inputs seriously but when they get older they will be able to realize the importance of the lessons given to them especially in terms of Financial Literacy which is also one of the aspects in life that Tagum Coop teaches”, Ms. Rivera adds..
As a closing, Vice Chairperson Noel O. Quidilla expresses his thanksgiving to the organizers of the event and also to the participants who joined with a full heart. With the registration of P300 the youth participants did not only get food and a shirt but a changed perspective and new friendship.