Still unclear what is happening with municipal summer camps on Vidos

The situation regarding the operation of the summer camps on Vidos remains unclear at the moment. These camps have not hosted young campers for various reasons for the past seven years. Meanwhile, the Church camps in Kassiopi have been welcoming children from primary up to high school smoothly every summer for about five decades, thanks to the voluntary efforts of priests and laypeople who support them.

When they operated, the municipal camps on Vidos served as a summer haven of carefree fun for the young campers. They last operated in 2017 due to a new legal framework that set stricter requirements for their licensing (construction of biological treatment facilities, fencing, fire safety installations). Delays by the municipal authorities and the subsequent two-year pandemic left the old facilities to the mercy of time. After resolving all these issues, another problem was the inability to find personnel for crucial roles needed for the camps' operation, specifically doctors and nurses. As a result, all these years, we have not had camps on the small islet.

In the next few days

According to the responsible Deputy Mayor Spiros Neratzis, the situation regarding the municipal camps on Vidos will become clear in the next few days. Yesterday, the 16 staff positions that remained vacant were re-advertised, and if people are found to stay overnight, the camps will be able to open. So far, only one person from the previous staff recruitment announcement for the support of the summer programmes 'Summer in Vidos 2024' and 'Creative Activities 2024' has expressed interest in staying overnight on the islet. However, for the 40 children assigned to each camp session, four staff members need to stay overnight with them.

"If people are found to stay overnight from the re-advertisement of the positions, the camps will operate. We will know once the recruitment is done,' Mr. Neratzis said. He also mentioned that the staff recruitment was announced in a timely manner, on May 24th, and earlier than in previous years, with the employment period being extended by one month as an additional incentive for interested parties. However, for the 26 staff positions supporting the two summer programmes, 14 applications were submitted, and 10 people were ultimately hired, as the others seem to have changed their minds. Among the first hires, there is a nurse, but no doctor or lifeguard.

Not affected by the start of the tourist season

According to Mr. Neratzis, the fact that the tourist season had already begun earlier and tourism workers were absorbed there did not have an impact. This is because the camp staff, apart from health professionals (doctors, nurses), consists of teachers of various specialties (physical education, theatre education, music, educators, etc.) who complete their responsibilities by the end of June, as well as students and high school graduates who participate as group leaders.

According to Mr. Neratzis, the dining area, toilets, and buildings that can be used for overnight stays in case of rain are ready. Only two new doors need to be installed in the food reception area, and it needs to be cleaned. He said that the Municipality has already issued two calls for interest for catering (prepared meals) for the camps in both Vidos and Gouvia. In fact, for the latter, a competition for the recruitment of 32 staff members is also imminent. It is worth noting that the 'St. Desylla' camps in Gouvia have not operated since 2021 due to delays in the issuance of the staff recruitment advertisement, resulting in a lack of interest for employment periods that did not exceed one month.

Church summer camps begin on 1st July

Meanwhile, the Church summer camps in Kassiopi are preparing to begin on July 1st. As Father Themistokles Mourtzanos told Enimerosi, "The summer camp programme operates thanks to the voluntary efforts of priests and laypeople, apart from the necessary health specialties. Besides the doctor at the Chronic Disease Foundation in the town, urgent needs are covered by an external local doctor under contract.

He said that the summer camp programme has been running for over 50 years, with high demand every summer. According to him, each camp session has 90 participants (from second grade of primary school to second grade of high school), and this year's spots are already filled. The camp programme will conclude on August 3rd. Families with three children, large families, and single-parent families are not charged any fees, while for others, there is a symbolic fee of 50 euros.

MARIA BAZDRIYIANNI

Photo:  Enimerosi