Empower Young Barbadians

Thousands of children and young people across Barbados are expected to benefit from this year’s National Summer Camp Programme, which officially gets underway on Monday, July 21.

The 2025 theme, “Developing Critical Life Skills in the New Age”, speaks to the Ministry’s focus on building essential skills in areas such as digital literacy, entrepreneurship, agriculture, health and wellness, performing arts, conflict resolution, and leadership.

The initiative, coordinated by the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment, was launched during a press briefing held recently at the Ministry’s headquarters in Sky Mall, Haggatt Hall, St. Michael.

Minister of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment, Charles Griffith, highlighted the importance of the camps as a critical social intervention.

“The National Summer Camp Programme continues to provide a safe haven for our young people, offering six weeks of structured, educational and recreational activities in a nurturing environment,” he stated.

Minister Griffith also addressed the misconception that the camps served as day-care, explaining that the programme was carefully designed to foster life skills and character development in children aged four to 16. Camps will take place at 53 locations island-wide, including specialised camps for children with disabilities. 

Director of Youth Affairs, Cleviston Hunte, shared that the camps would also tackle pressing social development issues, aiming to help youth navigate various stages of their personal growth and development. (PR/GIS)