A major boost for youth and educational development was marked on Saturday with the opening of a new camping and learning facility near Malé — the first of its kind to be established in 15 years.
The new Crossroads camp area, inaugurated by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, is set to provide a much-needed space for schoolchildren, scouts, cadets, and guides to engage in outdoor education and life-skills training.
For years, the lack of a proper camping ground near the capital had limited opportunities for extracurricular programmes and youth leadership activities. The new site — spanning three hectares — aims to fill that long-standing gap.
Developed as a corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative by Dream Island Tours Limited Crossroads, the facility features an administrative office, first aid room, day room, and a mosque, ensuring it can host a variety of educational and community programmes throughout the year.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Minister of Education Dr Ismail Shafeeu said the new site will serve as a versatile space for both outdoor learning and broader educational initiatives.
“This will be an area for various educational activities. There will not always be camps here, so it will be used for various educational activities,”
said Dr Shafeeu, underscoring the Ministry’s plans to maximise its use.
He added that the government is committed to ensuring the facility contributes meaningfully to skill-building and personal development among Maldivian youth.
The Crossroads camp is expected to become a key venue for national youth programmes, helping to nurture discipline, teamwork, and environmental awareness among the next generation.
