The Lab Koop Fiesta Youth Camp 2023, a transformative and stirring event aimed at nurturing the potential of young minds, encouraging potential guardian cooperatives, and establishing at least one laboratory cooperative per municipality in the province of Rizal took place with great enthusiasm and success. This year’s camp, held from August 8 to 9, 2023, brought together a diverse group of talented and motivated youth from eleven municipalities. It also united the participants with a shared passion for learning, growth, and leadership.
The campgrounds buzzed with excitement as participants arrived, each filled with anticipation for the days ahead. From the very start, it was evident that this was no ordinary youth camp; it was a hub of innovation, collaboration, and self-discovery in the love for cooperative and leadership.
The event was attended by at least 223 participants (83 males and 140 females) which was composed mostly of youth aged 14-16 years old along with guardians who are representatives of potential guardian cooperatives.
Diverse Workshops and Immersive Learning
The Lab Koop Fiesta Youth Camp 2023 offered an array of workshops that covered a wide spectrum of topics, catering to the diverse interests of the participants. From entrepreneurship to arts and personal development, every participant found a space where they could thrive and explore their potential.
Interactive sessions, including a lecture on basic cooperative concepts by Ms. Ivyrene Rose Panaglima, head of Cooperative Research, Information, and Training Section of CDA IV-A, hands-on activities, thought-provoking discussions, and fun activities such as cheering competition, koopmazing race, bonfire dinner, and talents’ night highlighted the two-day event.
Inspiring Keynote Speakers
The Lab Koop Fiesta Youth Camp 2023 was honored to host a lineup of exceptional keynote speakers who shared their journeys, insights, and words of wisdom. These speakers, who have made remarkable contributions to their respective fields, left a lasting impression on the participants, igniting a fire of ambition and aspiration within them.
The opening ceremony resonated with meaningful and inspiring messages, delivered by key figures including CDA Region IV-A Regional Director Salvador Valeroso. His emphasis on the pivotal role of cooperatives in alleviating poverty and empowering Filipinos struck a chord.
Atty. Angelica A. Bernardo, representing Hon. Gov. Ynares, shared a motivational message with the youth, followed by Dr. Marlon S. Marquez, Education Program Supervisor for Private Schools, who further contributed to the event’s inspirational tone.
The robust support for the event was evident across various sectors. The Local Government Unit of Jalajala, Rizal, led by Hon. Councilor Bryan M. Masicat, and in collaboration with its Municipal Cooperative Development Council headed by Mr. Roxane Halili, demonstrated enthusiastic and wholehearted support as hosts of the event.
Board Member Hector Robles not only graced the occasion on the first day but also continued his support on the second day, further affirming the event’s significance and impact.
Cultivating Lifelong Connections
Beyond the workshops and activities, the camp provided a unique opportunity for participants to connect with like-minded peers. Lifelong friendships were forged as participants shared stories, exchanged ideas, and supported each other’s dreams. The camp served as a microcosm of what it is like to be in a cooperative and to interact with people of varying beliefs and backgrounds.
A Grateful Acknowledgment
The Lab Koop Fiesta Youth Camp 2023 would not have been possible without the generous support of our sponsors, mentors, volunteers, and dedicated organizing team. Their unwavering commitment to empowering youth and shaping a brighter future has left an indelible mark on the success of the event.
The last session which was the show of commitment of the guardians and youth participants through palm painting on Indian tents was a solemn yet enjoyable ceremony. It is an affirmative action to support the expansion of laboratory cooperatives.
As the end of the camp came, the air was filled with a sense of accomplishment, empowerment, and excitement for the future. The Lab Koop Fiesta Youth Camp 2023 has undoubtedly planted seeds of inspiration and growth in the hearts of its participants, and we can only anticipate the remarkable impact they will have, especially on having one laboratory cooperative in every town in Rizal Province!
Cheers to the future leaders, innovators, and change-makers who walked through the doors of the Lab Koop Fiesta Youth Camp 2023, ready to take on the world and make a difference. The journey has just begun, and we eagerly await the incredible stories that these young minds will create.
The event was a collaborative effort of the CDA Rizal Field Office, Rizal Provincial Cooperative Development Council, Liga ng mga Cooperative Development Officers ng Pilipinas Rizal Chapter, National Confederation of Cooperatives (NATCCO), Most Holy Rosary Multipurpose Cooperative, Jalajala LGU, and Jalajala MCDC.
For more information and updates on Lab Koop Fiesta Youth Camp, please visit https://www.facebook.com/coopsrizal.
