After staying in the sidelines for eleven years covering the Energy Camps held at the Southern Negros Geothermal Project site in Puhagan, Valencia, some media practitioners were finally able to experience two days of the fun and learning that the campers had been experiencing.
Twenty-eight campers from various local TV, radio and print media in Negros Occidental and Oriental converged to learn more about geothermal energy, the environment, disaster-preparedness and survival from May 29-31.
The eCamp is EDC’s 11-year old summer camp that was originally designed to provide a productive, educational and enjoyable activity for the youth living in the company’s host communities who usually do not have access to such.
Where most summer camps focus on sports and physical development, the e-Camp combines classroom and outdoor activities, addressing the need to develop a person’s whole being, both mind and body.
While learning about the importance and benefits of geothermal energy and environmental protection, the media e-campers engaged in survival training and other physical activities.
EDC’s disaster and crisis team head, Dr. Ted Esguerra of the Mt. Everest Team, gave them tips on how to prevent disasters and accidents, and more so, how to deal with them in case they happen.
On day 2, they learned more about EDC’s Health, Education, Livelihood & Environment programs (HELEn) and its BINHI greening legacy reforestation program. They also planted premium, indigenous tree species as a testament to their commitment to care for the environment.
The highlight of the camp is an adapted version of the “Amazing Race”, where participants apply everything they learned while working together and competing against other teams.
“Our aim is to provide the same experiential learning environment to the Negros media who have been covering EDC and the Energy Camp all these years,” said John B. Arnaldo, EDC’s Vice President for Corporate Affairs.
When the program was first conceived in 2004, participants were qualified academic scholars from the public high schools serving the host communities of the company’s different field sites. Most of these youth do not usually have access to such an activity since they live in remote areas and cannot afford the significant costs of attending typical summer camps.
In recent years, EDC employees’ kids have also been allowed to participate in the energy camp not only to benefit from the program but also to instill in them a sense of responsibility and concern for the company’s host communities and the environment.
Authentic friendships have been formed in the 11 years of eCamp, with many past participants expressing their gratitude for having met peers from different places and backgrounds.
The eCamp was brought to life by selected EDC employee volunteers who serve as camp facilitators. All volunteers have been trained to ensure their suitability for the camp activities they would undertake.
EDC is the country’s leading producer of geothermal energy and a multi-awarded Filipino company in the areas of geothermal development, environmental excellence, corporate governance, and corporate social responsibility. (PR)
