Building homes designed to withstand hurricanes may not be the typical summer camp activity, but nearly 100 young Bahamians were challenged to do just that as part of the Wenty Ford Sports Foundation’s Second Annual Winners’ Camp.
The free, full-day camp, supported by Consolidated Water (Bahamas) Ltd. (CWCO), brought together boys and girls ages seven to 14 for a programme combining faith, academics, technology, athletics and personal development. Each morning began with devotion and a musical selection led by one of the camp’s volunteers before participants moved into educational and STEAM activities.
This year’s STEAM project centred on the Hurricane Resilient Challenge, which tasked campers with designing and building a model of a hurricane-resilient home. The activity encouraged participants to consider how science, engineering and creative problem-solving can be applied to a challenge that is particularly relevant to life in The Bahamas. Older campers, ages 11 to 14, also received two days of exposure to 3D printing, coding and related technology under the guidance of Happy Human Director Crachad Laing.
Afternoons shifted the focus to baseball and softball, with training, drills, discussions and scrimmages reinforcing teamwork, discipline and perseverance. CWCO’s support helped the Foundation provide the full-day experience at no cost to participating families, including breakfast, lunch and snacks each day. The company’s contribution also supported equipment, educational materials, STEAM activities, athletic
training, mentorship, uniforms and other programme needs.
Henderson Cash, CWCO’s General Manager, said the range of activities offered through the camp was important in giving young people opportunities to discover where their interests and abilities may take them.
“A child can love baseball and coding. They can be athletic and academically curious. Programmes like this give young people room to discover all those parts of themselves,” Cash said.
“What was especially meaningful about this year’s programme was seeing participants apply what they were learning to something as relevant to The Bahamas as hurricane resilience. When children are given opportunities to think, create and solve problems, while also developing discipline and teamwork through sport, we are helping to broaden what they believe is possible for themselves.”
The Wenty Ford Sports Foundation, founded by Dr. Wentia Ford, uses education and sports to empower young people and create environments in which they can learn, grow and recognize their potential. Through its Winners’ Camp, the Foundation seeks to provide young people with meaningful summer experiences while removing financial barriers that might otherwise prevent their participation.
