As summer break approaches and local families begin gearing up for the 2026 academic year, the Caribbean nation of Antigua and Barbuda is preparing to launch a robust four-week summer camp designed to keep children engaged, build new skills, and ease the transition back to the classroom. Dubbed WORK FU UM! Summer Camp 2026, the initiative will run from August 10 through September 4 at the Antigua and Barbuda Public Library, welcoming young participants between the ages of 4 and 16. Unlike traditional unstructured summer downtime, this program centers on a balanced mix of academic preparation, creative exploration, cultural connection, and youth development.
The camp’s curriculum spans a wide array of activities crafted to expose young people to diverse learning opportunities and nurture their individual strengths. Participants will take part in structured educational sessions focused on back-to-school readiness, alongside creative pursuits including music, dance, and pageantry. The program also incorporates hands-on cultural activities, educational field trips, group community service projects, and interactive collaborative workshops that encourage teamwork and peer engagement.
A core pillar of the initiative is its focus on connecting youth to Antigua and Barbuda’s unique national heritage. Through hands-on cultural programming, children will explore local creative traditions, gaining a deeper understanding of how culture shapes personal identity and strengthens community bonds. This cultural component sets the camp apart from standard summer programs, rooting learning in local context while fostering pride in regional heritage.
For the academic portion of the camp, organizers have designed structured learning experiences to bridge the gap between summer break and the new school year. By offering targeted back-to-school preparation and age-appropriate educational content, the program helps children shake off summer rust and reorient to structured learning, reducing transition anxiety for both students and families.
For parents and guardians, the four-week program solves a common summer scheduling challenge, providing a productive, supervised space for children during the final weeks of the break. Camp activities will run Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., aligning with typical working schedules for most caregivers. Registration will open on the first day of the camp, August 10, with a non-refundable registration fee of EC$300 required to secure a child’s spot. Interested families can get additional details by contacting Camp Director and Project Manager Peetron Thomas directly at (268) 775-1595. Organizers anticipate the program will deliver a meaningful, enriching experience that leaves participants prepared and excited for the upcoming academic term.