After almost two years of being holed-up inside their homes due to the pandemic, the children of NEDA Region 02 staff invaded the NEDA grounds to celebrate the National Children’s Month on November 20, 2021.

What started as a slumber party for eight kids, ages 4 to 12 years old, turned into an epic camping experience. The kids assembled at the NEDA 2 grounds early Saturday afternoon and excitedly greeted new friends during the one-day camp initiated by the Organization of NEDA Employees. They were welcomed by Regional Director Dionisio C. Ledres, Jr. who oversaw the office grounds improvements to encourage outdoor family activities for NEDA 2 employees.

The kids were treated with activities that taught them life lessons. They put up their own tents, gathered firewood, prepared and cooked  their own food, cleaned their dishes, and set up a campfire. They took advantage of the bright moon that night to play larong lahi games which made their parents nostalgic of their younger years. It was the perfect break for the kids who spent months quarantined inside their homes.

To instill love and care for nature, the kids and their parents planted tree seedlings at the NEDA 2 grounds. They marked the seedlings with nametags so they can visit and tend them during the weekends. The tree planting activity aimed to remind the kids of their role in contributing for a better future.

“It was the best camping experience ever!” This was the kids’ unanimous cheer as they bid their newfound friends goodbye. The kids went home with a promise to see each other again in the next NEDA 2 camping.

“To be in your children’s memories tomorrow,

You have to be in their lives today.” – Barbara Johnson