Sixty new recruits for Operation Camouflage (July 13, 2009)

Sixty young people in Suffolk Coastal are giving boredom its marching orders this summer by accepting a fun-packed holiday mission with Operation Camouflage.
 
Operation Camouflage is an activity camp that gives young people aged 8 to 16 who live or attend school in the district a week of military-themed adventure during the school break.
 
“Suffolk Coastal is linking up with Rock Barracks, situated on the old RAF Woodbridge site in Sutton, for Operation Camouflage, the holiday camp with a difference that is proving very popular with young people and their parents,” said Cllr Sherrie Green, Chairman of the Suffolk Coastal Community Safety Partnership (CSP) and Suffolk Coastal Local Strategic Partnership (LSP) Board member.
 
“The camp’s location gives it unique appeal, and soldiers from the 23rd Engineer Regiment (Air Assault) will be assisting throughout the week, providing the young people with positive role models and helping them to take part in activities, many of which involve real army training facilities such as the assault course.
 
“The support of the Police, youth workers, local volunteers and those leading the various activity sessions has also led to the wider community getting involved in the successful running of the event, something which is particularly pleasing to see,” added Cllr Green.
 
The camp will run from Monday, August 3 to Friday, August 7, starting at 9am and finishing at 4.45pm each day. Due to demand all 60 places have now been booked.
 
“Operation Camouflage will bring together local youngsters from diverse backgrounds, and as they compete against each other in teams and take part in a range of activities, including judo, target shooting and plate designing, they will hopefully forge new friendships, increase their self-esteem and gain a better outlook on life.
 
“This year’s lucky recruits are in for a busy first tour of duty as they will also be participating in information sessions on graffiti, internet safety and criminal damage,” added Cllr Green.
Operation Camouflage is being funded by the Council, the Suffolk Coastal CSP and Suffolk Coastal LSP.
 
For more information on Operation Camouflage, call Sarah Shinnie, active communities officer, on 01394 444562, email active.communities@suffolkcoastal.gov.uk, or visit www.suffolkcoastal.gov.uk/yourdistrict/communitysafety/youngpeople