CNMI youth recently had a chance to enhance their team building and leadership skills through 4-H Marianas’ Camp Maga’lahi. A total of 77 campers ages 7-14 joined this year’s camp on Saipan.
Camp Maga’lahi is conducted in partnership with the Northern Marianas College Cooperative, Research, Extension, and Education Services (CREES) – Family, Community and Youth Development or FCYD program.
Campers from House of Taga challenge each other during a game of “Human Ladder”.The campers, with the help of their counselors, were able to learn about CNMI history, culture, how to swim and fish, and how to protect CNMI watersheds and coral reefs. The camp also helped them build their leadership, responsibility, and citizenship skills.
Campers on Saipan got a chance to visit Mañagaha, Paupau Beach, American Memorial Park’s Museum, and the aquaculture facilities of NMC CREES.
“I think it’s a good way for the kids to interact with each other, especially given the fact that we’ve been in this pandemic for about a year and a half now,” said Tenta Tenorio, a parent of one of the campers. “It gives them a chance to interact, be with other kids, their peers, and I think the great planning that the 4H camp planned for all the activities was really helpful in making the parents feel comfortable that it was safe for them to attend these activities.”
“We are dedicated to engaging our youth in learning about our islands and the CNMI’s rich history and culture,” said Robbie Suzuki Jr., an extension agent for NMC CREES’ FCYD program. “We look forward to bringing Camp Maga’lahi to Rota for the first time.”
4-H Marianas is currently on Rota to host Camp Maga’lahi. Afterwards, they will host another camp on Saipan.
Camp Maga’lahi was made possible with the help of the American Memorial Park Junior Ranger Program, the Bureau of Environmental and Coastal Quality (BECQ), the Coastal Resources Management, the Coral Reef Initiative, Going Coastal, PSS Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), the Division of Fish & Wildlife, the Indigenious Affairs Office, 500 Sails, the Mariana Islands Nature Alliance (MINA), the DPS Boating Safety, DFEMS, and the NMC-CREES Aquaculture & Natural Resource (A&NR) program.
For more information about 4-H Marianas programs, please visit the NMC CREES website at crees.marianas.edu or on Facebook and Instagram @4HMarianas.
The House of Taga won “House of the Summer” for the first Saipan session of Camp Maga’lahi.