A summer camp hosted by the New Brunswick Federation of Labour is a little different than usual.
The Blair Doucet Youth Summer Camp wrapped up last week, with 16 campers from acrosss the province learning about the history and importance of the labour movement.
Camp Coordinator Paula Doucet says each morning has sessions sponsored by the Canadian Labour Congress.
“Union 101, labour history, health and safety, the importance of how their vote counts,” says Doucet. “And then in the afternoon obviously we do the fun activities that most normal kids would do at a summer camp, we go to Magic Mountain, we play games.”
Doucet explains the reasoning behind the camp.
“It was a vision that my father had back in the late 1990s,” says Doucet. “Nowhere across this province do youth, primarily grades 9 through 12 have any type of education in their highschool curriculum around labour, or unions or health and safety.”
Doucet says they are making up for that lack of education.
“These are young workers of tomorrow, they either go out and get a job right after high school or shortly after graduating from a post-secondary institution,” says Doucet. “And they actually have no history or knowledge around their rights as workers.”
Doucet says everyone, both employees and employers, benefit from a workforce that is well educated, and is aware of their rights.
The campers made a video about what they learned.
“I am very proud of the young adults at camp this year. They are caring and accomplished individuals,” says Patrick Colford, President of the New Brunswick Federation of Labour. “I also wanted to say a special thank you to the camp counsellors who generously give their time. Without them, this camp would not be possible.”
16th annual NBFL Blair Doucet Youth Summer Camp https://t.co/dpdMJvZYH2
— Patrick Colford (@FedNB_President) August 1, 2016
