With so many summer camps, we can't say for sure what attendance has been like at the many camps, but we do know that a camp to learn about using video cameras had to be cancelled because not enough people signed up.
But while the videography class, one of seven courses offered by NICH had to be called off, we did catch up with a small group of children who despite the heavy rains this morning still managed to make it out to Grace Primary School to sharpen their musical skills.
Carlos Perotte is running he camp; he's an accomplished multi-instrumentalist and master percussionist originally from Cuba who's made Belize his home for the past twelve years.
Perotte says that while a camp is one thing, young Belizeans with musical talent need a special place to develop their skills – and with courses like this he hopes to plant the seeds for someone to take up that mantle.
Carlos Perotte – Facilitator, Music/Percussion
"The older artists are struggling because they do not learn the correct way an din belize there is not an industry of music, that is the more (greater) problem we have, no industry. Musicians do not know where to go to learn how to play so they say for what (do) I want to learn music if I do not have where to go to play and make a living off of my music right?
Carlos Perotte – Facilitator, Music/Percussion
"We need an arts school, Belize does not have that. Belize has private institutions but do not have a bigger art school where children can go and learn art, music, dance, ballet, that is the problem here."
Jacqueline Godwin
"So while all of this summer programme is good, a lot more needs to be done."
Carlos Perotte – Facilitator, Music/Percussion
"Definitely that is the beginning. I hope someone says let's go do that; let's go build a school of art because the country needs that. What I say, art develops countries. I come from a poor country, but the art is very good."
"I have here 12 years already and I no see nothing but I say I will continue do that because one day something will come."
Jacqueline Godwin
"So you are optimistic although it has been 12 years and you no see nothing happening."
Carlos Perotte – Facilitator, Music/Percussion
"I will continue, I no care, 20, 25, 40 but I will continue because one day some of them will be in the position where we will say I will do a music school or an art school, we don't know."
Asyel Lopez – 13 Years Old
"Well at first my mom told me since it is summer to come here so I started playing, I started to like it and so I continue to play it."
Carson Perrotte – 8 Years Old
"And I just want to carry it so if people want to know, I can teach them."
Jacqueline Godwin
"Oh, so you plan o be a music teacher in the future?"
Carson Perrotte – 8 Years Old
"Yes."
Jacqueline Godwin
"And why is it important for children your age to learn to play a musical instrument?"
Carson Perrotte – 8 Years Old
"Because they can learn a lot from all the instruments."
The course started in July and requires each young artists to do a minimum of thirty hours.
