On Monday, Caricom Day, Armadillo Earth will host a ‘Kiddies Day Camp’ where children will engage in fun activities such as craft making, yoga and nature walks at Long Creek, Soesdyke/Linden Highway.
Coordinator and founder Diane Sinclair, who resides at Armadillo Earth Farm has designated the space for nature and recreational activities for children, couples and families. Diane and her husband, Joseph Chin, who is a qualified counsellor sought out the spot at Long Creek some years ago as a haven. The name came about after Joseph saw an armadillo in the area during the construction phase.
A former fitness trainer and nutritionist who ran Fitness Paradise Gym, Diane said she understood the need to disconnect from the bustle of life. For the past two months, she has shared this spot with family and friends who visited to take in nature and share in campfires and play the drums. People have rented Armadillo Earth to enjoy nature, have relaxation time or have a quiet and serene setting to enjoy meditating. She noted that whenever people went there with their children, there was always a scene when it was time to leave as the children would cry and plead to stay.
“Here we have a library and the nature surrounding… We’re doing this space to help our children. I don’t think we realise how much our children are affected by the pandemic. They suffer silently,” Diane said.
For the last three years, Diane and Joseph have been helping children in the Long Creek community. With several people donating books, she was able to create a library where she assisted the children in reading. The children also engaged in painting activities. One 13-year-old boy who was among them came to realise how good he was at art.
“When people come to Armadillo Earth, they would ask, ‘Who did this art’ and we tell them, it’s him,” Diane shared. She used to cook for the children once a week.
The farm has chickens and ducks. They are working on also having an outdoor kitchen constructed where children can learn to cook.
“We also want to teach children to eat what they grow,” added the woman.
At present, Armadillo Earth’s owners are putting together a co-op society which will include themselves, trained teachers, a herbalist, and Salina Cruickshank of Sally’s Stitch Fix who will oversee a sewing class on Monday.
This event is the first of its kind, but will not be the last. They plan to do more next month.
Owing to the objective of connecting with nature, people are asked to leave their devices at home. There will also be no hunting of any kind.
“We need to protect the earth. We are trying to get children to learn about Mother Earth so that they don’t grow up to destroy her. We must understand our connection to her because she is the source of everything,” posited Diane.
The package caters for parents and children ages 6-9, includes transportation, snacks and all activities and costs $17,000. For more information Diane can be reached at 643-2812 or 696-9942.
