For most children across the globe, summer camp revolves around swimming, arts and crafts, and campfire sing-alongs. But this year, nearly 100 young Bahamians spent their summer break tackling a uniquely local challenge: designing and constructing model homes built to withstand the powerful Atlantic hurricanes that regularly impact their island nation. This hands-on project was the centerpiece of the Wenty Ford Sports Foundation’s Second Annual Winners’ Camp, a free full-day youth program that blends academic learning, STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) innovation, athletic training, and personal growth for children ages 7 to 14.
Backed by financial and logistical support from Consolidated Water (Bahamas) Ltd. (CWCO), the camp was designed to remove financial barriers that often block low-income families from accessing enriching summer youth programming. Every day opened with a morning devotion and volunteer-led musical performance, setting a collaborative and reflective tone before campers moved into structured academic and STEAM activities.
This year’s headline program, the Hurricane Resilient Challenge, invited participants to apply core STEAM principles to a problem that hits close to home for all Bahamians. After decades of increasing hurricane intensity driven by rising ocean temperatures, hurricane-resistant infrastructure has become a critical priority for the island nation. Campers were tasked with brainstorming, designing, and building scale models of homes that could survive high winds and storm surge, pushing them to think critically about how science, engineering, and creative problem-solving can address real community needs. For older campers between 11 and 14, the program extended beyond model-building to two days of immersive technical training in 3D printing and coding, led by Happy Human Director Crachad Laing, introducing many young people to digital skills they may not encounter in standard school curricula.
After mornings spent in the classroom and workshop, afternoons shifted focus to the baseball diamond, where trained coaches led skill drills, strategic discussions, and friendly scrimmages for both baseball and softball. These athletic sessions were structured not just to improve physical skill, but to reinforce core life values: teamwork, self-discipline, and perseverance through challenge.
CWCO’s sponsorship covered all costs for participating families, including daily breakfast, lunch, and snacks, as well as athletic equipment, educational supplies, STEAM project materials, mentorship support, and team uniforms. This full funding allowed the Wenty Ford Sports Foundation to keep the camp 100% free, opening access to children from all socioeconomic backgrounds who would otherwise be unable to afford specialized summer programming.
Henderson Cash, General Manager of CWCO, emphasized that the camp’s broad mix of activities is key to helping young people explore their full range of interests and talents. “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 explained. He added that this year’s focus on hurricane resilience made the program particularly meaningful for the local community. “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.”
Founded by Dr. Wentia Ford, the Wenty Ford Sports Foundation centers its mission on empowering Bahamian youth through the combination of education and athletics. The organization works to create inclusive, supportive spaces where young people can learn, grow, and recognize their own untapped potential. Through the annual Winners’ Camp, the foundation delivers high-quality, engaging summer experiences while breaking down the financial barriers that too often exclude low-income youth from these transformative opportunities.