St. John’s, Antigua and Barbuda – The dual-island nation of Antigua and Barbuda wrapped up its annual Boys’ Brigade Week 2026 on April 12, a six-day national observance centered on the mission of growing the next generation of principled leaders while fostering strong personal character among young male participants. Held from April 7 to 12 under the official theme “Raising Leaders, Building Character,” this year’s gathering drew top public figures, including Sir Rodney Williams, Governor General of Antigua and Barbuda, who took a central role in the week’s closing ceremonies.
Over the six days of programming, organizers put together a diverse slate of activities designed to nurture three core pillars for members: leadership capability, personal discipline, and community service. Participants kicked off the week with a media engagement session to share the Brigade’s work with broader audiences across the country. Next came a community outreach project, where members delivered a donation to the Care Project at Holberton Hospital, one of the nation’s leading public healthcare facilities. Young participants also got the chance to build hands-on leadership skills through dedicated training workshops, before taking part in a public March of Witness that wound through the central streets of St. John’s. The week also included a two-night overnight camp and a casual beach picnic for members and their families at popular local spot Pigeon Point.
The entire observance reached its ceremonial conclusion on Sunday, April 12 with a special intercessory Church Service held at Baxter Methodist Church. Both Governor General Sir Rodney Williams and his wife Her Excellency Lady Williams, who serves alongside the Governor General as joint Patron of the national Boys’ Brigade, were in attendance for the service. In his formal remarks to attendees, the Governor General offered high praise for the youth organization’s decades-long commitment to fostering positive youth development across Antigua and Barbuda.
“As Patrons of the Boys’ Brigade in Antigua and Barbuda, Lady Williams and I take particular pride in the role the Brigade continues to play in shaping the character, discipline, and spiritual foundation of our young men,” Sir Rodney shared. He went on to frame the organization as a critical anchor for young people navigating an increasingly complex modern world, calling it “a beacon of faith, discipline, and service” that delivers consistent, trusted mentorship and guidance to growing boys and young men.
The Governor General emphasized that youth-serving groups like the Boys’ Brigade fill an irreplaceable role in instilling core values of integrity, community leadership, and service to others, adding that their grassroots work remains foundational to long-term national progress. He also extended specific recognition to the unsung contributors that make the Brigade’s work possible: chaplains, program officers, volunteer leaders, participating parents, and community supporters, whose consistent dedication leaves a lasting positive mark on the lives of hundreds of young men across the country.
Sir Rodney also highlighted the longstanding productive partnership between the Boys’ Brigade and the Office of the Governor General. Beyond Boys’ Brigade Week, the organization regularly contributes to key national observances, including annual Commonwealth Day activities, and collaborates on initiatives designed to boost civic engagement and participation among the nation’s youth.
After the closing church service concluded, the Governor General moved to the parade ground to take the official salute from marching Brigade members, who delivered a disciplined, high-spirited public display of their training. The parade capped off a full week of activities that stayed true to the organization’s core mission of centering faith, community fellowship, and intentional character development for participants.
Today, the Boys’ Brigade in Antigua and Barbuda stands as a long-trusted cornerstone of the nation’s youth development ecosystem. For generations, the organization has nurtured young men rooted in Christian values, personal discipline, and a commitment to serving their country, building a legacy that continues to benefit communities across the islands.