Newmarket African Caribbean Canadian Association offering first-of-its-kind Afro-centric summer in August – Toronto Star

The Newmarket African Caribbean Canadian Association (NACCA) is offering a first-of-its-kind Afro-centric summer camp in August.

Kuumba Summer Camp, for children aged eight to 13, will run from Aug. 5 to 19 at NACCAs new community centre at 449 Eagle St.

The camp will provide an opportunity for campers to encourage positive self-awareness and resilience strategies to boost self-esteem, confidence and knowledge of Black culture and heritage inspired by Black youth for Black youth, NACCA said in a statement.

Kuumba Summer Camp will feature Black-affirming and fun-filled experiences including a summer reading club, Art Starts Here, culinary and gardening workshops, outdoor adventures, indoor fun and games, swimming, wellness and hair and skin care from the practical to the cognitive all geared for Black youth.

On Aug. 18, special guest and author, Yolanda T. Marshall, will take campers on an educational journey to learn about Canadas Caribbean Carnival.

C is for Carnival features a diverse cast of children in vibrant costumes as they play mas while dancing to Soca and Calypso music," the statement reads.

Identified as a pillar from its inception, NACCA will continue to see supporting youth as a primary focus when it releases its five-year strategic plan in September.

This summer camp program is no exception, as it will also engage three Black youth mentors who will work to co-create activities for the program for their younger peers. This will allow for much needed hands-on experience for these youth to develop their leadership skills," the statement reads.

NACCA chair Jerisha Grant-Hall is pleased NACCA is offering this first of many-to-come youth-focused programs.

As NACCA is poised to deliver direct services to the community and is especially focused on Black youth, with an aim to empower, educate and affirm, this is one of many future programs to come, she said.

NACCA has received tremendous support for the camp from the town, the York Region Food Network, Penguin Books, Tundra Books, the Ontario Trillium Foundations Resilient Communities Promising Young Peoples Fund and many volunteers from the Black community.

For more information, visit naccacommunity.ca.

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Newmarket African Caribbean Canadian Association offering first-of-its-kind Afro-centric summer in August - Toronto Star