“National Police’s Leisure Center: A Haven for Young People during Holidays and Weekends”

Sporting and cultural events, or even educational outings during school holidays, CLJ children are never bored. Created by the National Police more than 20 years ago, this leisure center aims to occupy teenagers from all walks of life on Wednesday afternoons and Saturday mornings as well as during each holiday period.

Thus, these young people aged 10 to 17 decide à la carte which activities they wish to take part in: “In winter we receive between 20 and 30, while in summer we can end up with 80 children.” explains Nicolas Giordano, director of the center for two years. “The CLJ has a preventive side, we do lots of activities with these teenagers to prevent them from falling into delinquency. We realized that it cost less to give them a good holiday than to put in jail if they do something stupid.”

A very rich program

Between trips to skiing, to the sea, to Paris, or even to educational farms, there is something for everyone. Apart from these outings, the children also practice various activities such as the circus, the cinema or even song. They are also made aware of other themes such as addiction, homosexuality or parental divorce. Education therefore occupies an important place in the program of this centre. While the activities are primarily entertaining, they also aim to educate and awaken these teenagers.

Memorable Memories

During the first week of these Easter holidays, a group of seven young people boarded a sailboat for a three-day cruise. On the program, Cap d’Agde then Le Grau-du-Roi for these children who will sleep two nights on the boat. During the crossing, they will participate in daily tasks: dishes, cleaning, but also maintenance of the sailboat. A few minutes from the start, three instructors explain to them in detail the basics of navigation and life at sea before a crossing that promises to be euphoric.