It’s that time of the year again for geothermal leader Energy Development Corporation’s energy camp in Valencia, Negros Oriental.
Forty-eight high school students, composed of 28 scholars from public schools in the Negros Island’s host communities and 20 children of EDC employees, converged in a week-long camp of fun and experiential learning on geothermal energy, the environment and survival from May 6-12.
Now on its 11th year, the e-Camp is a summer camp 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 e-campers also engage in sports, survival training and other physical activities during the weeklong camp. 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.
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.
Many lasting friendships have been formed in the 11 years of e-Camp, with many past participants expressing their gratitude for having met peers from different places and backgrounds.
Aside from the usual sports and ball games, the campers are also taught basic martial arts, fun with ropes (i.e. knot tying, rappelling, v-traverse), and other outdoor survival skills such as map reading and basic first aid. Lessons on social graces such as dancing and table etiquette are also given. Everything is focused on developing their personality and self-esteem, instilling discipline and teamwork to prepare them for real-world challenges.
The e-Camp gives special emphasis to environmental awareness and responsibility. Participants are also taught composting and other practical lessons for protecting and preserving the environment. It is hoped that this will mold them to become better caretakers and future guardians of the Philippines’ natural resources.
There are classroom lectures about how geothermal energy is harnessed along with actual tours of facilities. Through these, e-Campers can see for themselves how EDC balances progress and industrialization with the protection and preservation of the natural environment.
EDC employees share their talents with the campers.
The e-Camp is brought to life by EDC employee volunteers who serve as camp facilitators. All volunteers have been screened 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 Philippine corporation in the fields of geothermal development, environmental excellence, corporate governance, and corporate social responsibility. (Frances Ariola)
