A long-standing tradition at the Public Libraries’ Division (PLD) of the National Library and Information System Authority (NALIS) is the offer of its July/August Vacation (JAVA) camps.  This year is no exception as JAVA camps started on July 14, 2025 at 20 library locations nationwide, providing enriching vacation experiences for children and young adults between the ages six to 12 years old.

Camps remain accessible to persons from all communities, with a nominal fee of $120 to $250 to cover the cost of materials and excursions. Camps typically run for one to three weeks; this year. Recognising the unique needs of teenagers, selected libraries are also offering special programmes for young adults throughout July. These are designed to spark interest and build skills through targeted, age-appropriate activities.

At the heart of JAVA camps is a commitment to providing a safe, structured, and stimulating environment where children can learn and grow while having fun. Each camp features a unique theme that blends education with play, encouraging creative expression, literacy development, and social interaction.

Campers enjoy hands-on arts and crafts like painting, collage-making, and tie-dye design, along with music sessions that introduce steelpan and folk rhythms, celebrating Trinidad and Tobago’s rich cultural heritage. The camps integrate a broad educational focus that includes: STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), Environmental awareness, Global cultures and languages, including Spanish Reading and literacy enhancement, with story time, puppet shows, poetry games, and interactive reading challenges. Children are also engaged in a variety of interactive group games, puzzles, team-building activities, and trivia contests, all designed to promote critical thinking, cooperation, and communication skills all while having fun.

Another highlight of many camps is the inclusion of field trips to places like: Fire Stations for fire safety talks, the Mounted Branch of the Police Service and the Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago, to name a few. These excursions provide real-world learning experiences that expand children’s horizons. Additionally, guest speakers from government agencies are invited to share essential life skills and knowledge on topics like personal and road safety.

All programmes are carefully designed and delivered by trained librarians, library assistants, and dedicated volunteers, ensuring a professional and age-appropriate experience for every participant.  For more information persons can visit NALIS’ Facebook pages or website at www.nalis.gov.tt