Vacations are for the summer. It may seem like a cliché, but it is pure reality in the middle of July. An exercise in serene balance unites these two concepts –holidays and summer– with those of children, activities and facilities. The equation turns out well and this is how the El Rosario City Council understands it when it promotes the idea of another summer camp model for the 350 kids –and counting– who participate in the recreational activities scheduled these two months. The Day went to check how these boys between 3 and 14 years old spend it, during any day. Outside their municipality, on a day that led them to enjoy the facilities of CEIP Miguel Pintor, in the neighborhood of The Joy of Santa Cruz, the capital of Tenerife. With the visit of the Mayor of Rosario, Escolástico Gil.
A summer campus for family conciliation. It is the idea repeated like a mantra throughout the morning when showing the real development of a project organized by the departments of Equality and Social Action. Initially there were 300 places, divided into two groups of 150 boys and girls, one for the month of July and the other for August. But demand has exceeded expectations to nearly 350 users. With the clear objective of benefiting as many as possible.
Free and with multiple activities that take place in three different areas: the Emeterio Gil sports pavilions, in Llano del Moro, and José Martín Martín, in Lomo Pelado, both in El Rosario, and this Miguel Pintor, center of activities aquatic.
Bustle, shouts and beeps at the door of the La Alegría Infant and Primary Center. On the right bank of the Tahodio ravine, right on the avenue with the suggestive name, José Martí, port territory, and on the path of a populous and popular neighborhood. From El Rosario to Santa Cruz.
The campus, which takes place from Monday to Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., includes swimming lessons, multi-sport activities, hiking, crafts, excursions and foam parties. Fathers and mothers have free transportation, breakfast and lunch for those registered.
absolute integration
Integration was the most repeated word on the tour with Mayor Gil and Sara Cabello, Councilor for Equality. In a double sense. On the one hand, says Escolástico Gil, “to make a municipality because there are children who did not know each other before, being from different neighborhoods.” The geography or socioeconomics clearly differentiate between the coast and the upper part of El Rosario. From the aquatic activities of the coast to the cold of the town center – traditional blanket included – and from agricultural work to an urban population with high purchasing power.
On the other hand, the initiative is also aimed at children with special needs. Here they are attended by monitors in one of the few public camps with this option. Also in special food for diabetics or celiacs.
El Rosario promotes the initiative thanks to a subsidy of 100,000 euros that is part of the Canarian Corresponsables Plan. This initiative was born from the Secretary of State for Equality and against Gender Violence of the Ministry of Equality with the support of the Federation of Municipalities of the Canary Islands (Fecam). It is a pioneer municipality in the Canary Islands when it comes to executing the idea, although others, such as Candelaria, have now joined the project. El Rosario pays for material and equipment for each of the children with a basic kit: T-shirt, bathing cap, goggles, towel and bottle of water.
Escolástico Gil, the mayor, values: “The reality is that we are pleasantly surprised by the success and the reception among the population.” He adds: «It is a success that, from any point of the municipality, whether on the coast or in the upper part, we have received an avalanche of requests and that people want to repeat, although they cannot because we must give everyone the opportunity ».
The IR-Verdes councilor explains that “last summer we held a swimming course at the Radazul Sport Center, but not with this model, which is much more complete in terms of activities to be carried out, free of charge and designed for boys and girls with special needs who they are integrated.
Coexistence between children from all areas, explains Gil, «for me it is fundamental because what we want is to make a municipality. I already said it at the end of the Football School season during an excursion to La Gomera: we want young neighbors to get to know each other through sports and leisure activities». Gil emphasizes that “we start from the basis that El Rosario is a municipality with two totally different mentalities: the population of the coast, urban, and that of the upper area and the midlands, more rooted in the town.” Escolástico emphasizes that “what we want is for these two worlds to coexist and feel identified with El Rosario. There is no better way to do it than through boys and girls, who are sponges and make friends with amazing ease.
Another noteworthy aspect is that, in addition to the recreational part, they will go on outings to, for example, get to know the Adelantado forest. “A thousand-year-old laurel forest as part of the rich heritage of the municipality in which they live,” says Gil.
Sara Cabello, first deputy mayor and councilor for Equality, summarizes: «Since we began to raise this issue, a year and a half ago, as a member of the Fecam Equality Commission, we talked about these funds and how to fit them. In the end, we conclude that when fathers and mothers most need conciliation, it is precisely in the summer months, when the children are on vacation”.
Cabello adds: “Many times grandparents take on this job, a lot of money is paid for the camps and from the El Rosario City Council we have wanted to give fathers and mothers that plus of conciliation and that they have their children in various activities.” He concludes: “The campus is going very well and we look forward to welcoming the new group on August 1st.”
The ‘little mermaids’
Suddenly the little mermaids of El Rosario appear in the pool. Two pairs of sisters, Sofía and Alicia, on the one hand, and Lucía and Alma, on the other, escort their friend Irene from Tabaiba Alta. She is from El Chorrillo, but she already comrades after meeting in this social gathering scenario. Pure integration.
Between the pool and the dining room, El Día dialogues with Adasat Alonso, manager of the Tafor company that manages the entire development of the camp, not only that of the children of El Rosario but that of others in Granadilla or La Palma. Entrepreneur at 32 years old, he is surprised at how clear he is when he explains that “here we have thirteen people working directly who, together with transport or catering, can add up to twenty.” In the whole company there are 105 employees. He already collaborates with El Rosario by taking the elderly to Las Teresitas beach this summer.
It draws attention and it is something very positive to see how the public plot is understood with the private one. The one of the – better the – social workers of El Rosario with Adasat and his people. It makes you want to name someone, but it’s better to move on. Discretion.
CEIP Miguel Pintor, reminiscent of an architect who marked an era, has it all. Swimming pool where you can swim, dining room or a large garden area with trees. Ideal. In the dining room they sit apart to eat. It’s the lyrics of an old song that Dylan and Alma know nothing about at their five years old. They eat the vegetable stew and explain that one is from El Chorrillo and the other from Tabaiba Alta. They understand each other without problems. It is El Rosario, 18,500 inhabitants, in La Esperanza, Llano del Moro, Machado, El Chorrillo, Costanera. Boca Crab, Radazul and Tabaiba. Many and only one.
«Promote the conciliation of 300 families». Sara Cabello’s phrase explains almost everything, but it remains to be understood that integration is what she commands. The camps are for the summer.
