Fresh off claiming two of soca music’s most prestigious titles, decorated artist Mikey Mercer traded the bright lights of competition stages for a community summer camp classroom on Friday, leveraging his newfound fame to motivate young people to hold fast to their ambitions. Mercer, who just won both the 2026 Power Soca Monarch and Party Monarch crowns in the annual Crop Over festival, made a surprise appearance at the South Stars Community Summer Camp, hosted at Maxwell House on Maxwell Main Road in Christ Church. During his visit, he spoke to dozens of campers about the importance of self-belief, persistence through hardship, and unapologetically pursuing one’s goals.
Mercer opened up about his own experiences facing criticism, noting that too many young people abandon their dreams after facing harsh pushback from others. “Sometimes children can be a little harsh…some people have told me that because of how their dreams were attacked by other people, they shied away from them,” he said. “I am fortunate to do what I love as a job, I think we have to plant that seed of going after your goals and dreams [in children].”
Camp director Tiffany Beckles shared details about the six-week community program, which has drawn roughly 50 children across three age cohorts: 4 to 6 years old, 7 to 9 years old, and 10 to 15 years old. All activities are tailored to fit the developmental needs and personal interests of each group, blending educational workshops and recreational outings to keep young participants engaged throughout the summer break.
So far, the camp’s schedule has included off-site trips to local landmarks and institutions, including the airport fire station, George Washington House, and 13 Acres. Campers have also gotten hands-on experience with STEM-focused activities, attending dedicated robotics and coding sessions. Friday’s packed lineup featured a music video filming project, a robotics demonstration, and Mercer’s talk, plus an additional visit from former Junior Monarch King K. Looking ahead, Beckles said participants are eagerly anticipating an upcoming field trip to the Graeme Hall Nature Sanctuary.
Beckles added that Mercer’s visit was a standout highlight for campers, noting that so far, the on-site music video project and the fire station trip have emerged as the children’s favorite activities. With the camp scheduled to wrap up its 2026 session on August 21, organizers are putting the final touches on closing events to end the program on a celebratory note. “Our last lap, right now we have a sports day and a fun day for the last lap,” Beckles confirmed. (Photo credits for both Mercer and Beckles: Shamar Blunt)