National Sports Council Summer Camps Back For 39th Year

The National Sports Council’s (NSC) highly anticipated Summer Sports Camp will return for its 39th year, running from Monday, July 14, to Friday, August 22, 2025.        

Early registration for the camp opens on Monday, July 1, and continues until Saturday, July 13, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. daily. Parents and guardians are asked to register their children at the National Sports Council, located at the Wildey Gymnasium, Wildey, St. Michael.

Speaking at the official launch of this year’s camp, Acting Assistant Director of Sports, Ryan Toppin, acknowledged that the team faced several logistical challenges in preparing for this year’s programme, due to ongoing renovations at some regular venues. However, he praised the efforts of the planning committee for its commitment and hard work in ensuring that adjustments were made and new venues secured.

Mr. Toppin reminded the public that the NSC’s Summer Sports Camp remains a staple on the national summer calendar, which had over 1,800 campers in 2024 – a record the Council hopes to match or surpass this year.

He also took the opportunity to announce a new behavioural policy. This year, the camp will adopt a one-strike approach, with a zero-tolerance stance on violence or inappropriate behaviour. 

“Camp is a safe space for children to learn, grow, and enjoy sports. We want every child to feel supported and protected. This new policy is about reinforcing that sense of safety and ensuring a wholesome environment for all campers,” he said.

Camp Director, Tracey Leacock, outlined the full list of venues and sporting disciplines for 2025. Swimming will be held at Seaside Aquatics, the Garfield Sobers Sports Complex, Browne’s Beach, and the Ursuline Convent (limited to campers aged 12 to 16).  

At the Wildey Gymnasium, children will participate in volleyball, basketball, road tennis, bodybuilding, body fitness, wrestling, and cycling.  At Blenheim, the camp will offer cricket, football, road tennis, and rugby.

The Ursuline Convent will replace Deighton Griffith and Frederick Smith Secondary Schools, which are currently undergoing renovations, and will host netball, cheerleading, gymnastics, badminton, table tennis, boxing, and football (ages 8 to 11). 

St. George Secondary will facilitate basketball, cricket, football, badminton, road tennis, chess, track and field, and netball, while the University of the West Indies’ Cave Hill Campus facilities will also support track and field training.

In addition to sports, the 2025 camp will deliver an expanded life skills and wellness programme. Topics such as conflict resolution, bullying prevention, and healthy eating will be addressed, in collaboration with key partners, including the Barbados Police Service, the Caribbean Regional Anti-Doping Organisation, the National Nutrition Centre, and the Youth Development Programme. 

Workshops, such as “Girl Power” and “Boys Knowing Yourself”, will be conducted alongside a new initiative titled “Let’s Unpack It”, which will be facilitated by psychologist Dr. David Johnson. The initiative focuses on supporting the mental health of campers through dialogue and accessible tools to manage emotional challenges.

Ms. Leacock highlighted that while coaches continue to instill discipline, confidence, and resilience through sport, additional support mechanisms are in place to help children navigate mental health issues, bullying, and behavioural concerns. 

“We recognise that children often bring invisible baggage to camp. Our aim is to surround them with a network of professionals and tools to help them address those challenges constructively,” she explained.

Several recreational and cultural field trips are also planned, including go-karting at Bushy Park, tours of the Atlantis Submarine and Harrison’s Cave, and a visit to the Graeme Hall Nature Park, which features an aviary and a live snake exhibit.

Marketing Manager of C.O. Williams Construction Ltd., Sharon Carew-White, reaffirmed the company’s ongoing sponsorship of the camp. She praised the initiative’s impact on youth development and commended the NSC team for its consistent execution. “Under the theme ‘Get Moving. Get Active. Go Sports!’, we are once again proud to support this camp which plays such a critical role in guiding our future leaders,” she said.

The NSC also extended its appreciation to Blue Waters and all other sponsors and partners whose contributions continue to enhance the camp experience. Parents and guardians are urged to register early as spaces for some disciplines, such as swimming, are expected to be filled quickly. (PR/GIS)