Unknown what will happen with the Vidos and Gouvia summer camps
summer camp
13 Ιουλίου 2022
/ 19:05
CORFU. If and when staff is recruited, the summer camps will open again this year.
The municipal summer camps in Vidos Island, since 2017 when they last opened, have not managed to open again despite the interest shown by the citizens. Since the licensing legislation changed, poor handling and apparently the lack of political will to address simple issues have led to their suspension every year.
Damaged facilities
Although this year the licensing issue has been resolved, the facilities were damaged! Despite the optimistic announcements of the Municipal Technical Works Department, the maintenance works could not be completed on time.
As for the camp toilets, the Deputy Mayor for Technical Works had said that the repair and maintenance would have been completed within the first ten days of June.
“In a meeting we had today with the contractor, we were informed that he will be able to complete the camp toilets towards the end of July,” the new municipal councillor responsible for Vidos Vassilis Melidis told Enimerosi.
Without staff
The biggest problem, however, is the recruitment of personnel. “The understaffing is the most important one because it determines whether the summer camps will open”, he said.
So far not all the required positions have been filled. For the 27 positions available, 26 applications have been submitted, of which only 8 currently meet the criteria. However, it is estimated that by the start of the camp programme, the 5-6 more people needed will have been found.
Today, one last attempt is being made so that this summer is not lost, i.e. August as it is the only month left. The new staff that will be hired will be same for both programmes.
According to Mr. Melidis, if and when staff is recruited, the programme of creative activities could start on 18 July, while the camps would start on August.
Programme of creative activities
The significant delay of the programme of creative activities in Vidos, with about 220 applications pending, is among other things a financial burden for families, who are forced to send their children to sports clubs paying €50 for each one of them.
In Gouvia
The Municipality will now have to speed up the procedures for the Gouvia ‘Stamatis Desyllas’ summer camp. The maintenance of the camp toilets will begin immediately, according to Mr. Melidis. For next year, however, according to him, a complete renovation of the Gouvia summer camp is planned, as a €100,000 funding has already been secured.
“The area used to store the NAOK racing boats is not a problem, as it is a matter of hours to have it emptied,” he said.
However, steps for the recruitment of 32 people have still not been taken, although it has been approved by the Finance Committee at the meeting held in 24 June.
Special Needs Association
The President of the Corfu Association of Parents, Guardians and Friends of People with Special Needs Spyros Zoumpoulidis complained about the fact that no preparations have been made by the Municipality and said that he believes that there will be no camps this year either.
Damaged facilities
Although this year the licensing issue has been resolved, the facilities were damaged! Despite the optimistic announcements of the Municipal Technical Works Department, the maintenance works could not be completed on time.
As for the camp toilets, the Deputy Mayor for Technical Works had said that the repair and maintenance would have been completed within the first ten days of June.
“In a meeting we had today with the contractor, we were informed that he will be able to complete the camp toilets towards the end of July,” the new municipal councillor responsible for Vidos Vassilis Melidis told Enimerosi.
Without staff
The biggest problem, however, is the recruitment of personnel. “The understaffing is the most important one because it determines whether the summer camps will open”, he said.
So far not all the required positions have been filled. For the 27 positions available, 26 applications have been submitted, of which only 8 currently meet the criteria. However, it is estimated that by the start of the camp programme, the 5-6 more people needed will have been found.
Today, one last attempt is being made so that this summer is not lost, i.e. August as it is the only month left. The new staff that will be hired will be same for both programmes.
According to Mr. Melidis, if and when staff is recruited, the programme of creative activities could start on 18 July, while the camps would start on August.
Programme of creative activities
The significant delay of the programme of creative activities in Vidos, with about 220 applications pending, is among other things a financial burden for families, who are forced to send their children to sports clubs paying €50 for each one of them.
In Gouvia
The Municipality will now have to speed up the procedures for the Gouvia ‘Stamatis Desyllas’ summer camp. The maintenance of the camp toilets will begin immediately, according to Mr. Melidis. For next year, however, according to him, a complete renovation of the Gouvia summer camp is planned, as a €100,000 funding has already been secured.
“The area used to store the NAOK racing boats is not a problem, as it is a matter of hours to have it emptied,” he said.
However, steps for the recruitment of 32 people have still not been taken, although it has been approved by the Finance Committee at the meeting held in 24 June.
Special Needs Association
The President of the Corfu Association of Parents, Guardians and Friends of People with Special Needs Spyros Zoumpoulidis complained about the fact that no preparations have been made by the Municipality and said that he believes that there will be no camps this year either.
