(Eleuthera, The Bahamas) – Summer vacation is over now as we begin the new school year and reflect on the fun we had at the library over the last 3 months. Haynes Library hosted 4 camps over 6 weeks: 2 Sailing Camps, the Haynes Library Summer Programme and the 1st BREEF Sea Camp in Eleuthera. All programmes were provided at no cost to resident children thanks to the generosity of sponsors and volunteers. Support locally has been fantastic resulting in 6 weeks of safe and supervised summer activities for children from Central Eleuthera.


BREEF Sea Camp with Casuarina McKinney-Lambert  (r) and Allanah Vellacott (l)

The month of July continued a now much anticipated tradition – the 9th Annual Haynes Library Summer Programme. 30 young people aged 6 to 15 attended workshops at the library daily from 9am to 1pm. First up was Mrs Cindy Armbrister with Drama and Short Story Writing, participants learned to interview older members of their community and recount the information in a short story format. A collection of the children’s stories has been compiled. Traditional Quilting was taught by Mrs Mary Knowles who proudly displayed her own quilts some of which were over 30 years old. Digital Photography Workshop was led by Mrs Jackie Miller for the second year. Last year’s ISPY collection of children’s work will be on show at the National Art Gallery of the Bahamas in November.


Mrs. Mary Knowles

We hope to have a similar exhibit of this year’s photos. Nature discovery backpacks containing cameras donated by Cathy Rustermeir, a Nature Conservancy Caribbean Board member at Earth Day this year were used. Another week was jointly sponsored by the Leon Levy Preserve and involved learning about indigenous plants, crafts and bush medicine. This week ended with an overnight camping trip to French Leave Beach. Thanks to our workshop leaders and other volunteers including Anishka Fernander, Betty Johnson, Rhonda Rolle, Holly Burrows, Althera Willie, Fritz Simonson, Rea Bethel, Eleuthera Bible Training Center and all parents who donated to the Beach Party. Tyler Johnson won a Blackberry Playbook in a computer scavenger hunt to test Google search skills and Safyha Bryan won a Kindle Fire for completing a Book Bingo Reading Challenge. The Summer Programme was sponsored for the second year by Daniel J Roberts and Nina Wheeler Roberts.


Haynes Library Tote Bags

Bahamas Reef Environment Educational Foundation (BREEF) held a Sea Camp in partnership with the Haynes Library and One Eleuthera from the 13th to 17th August. Sea Camp is designed to help campers develop an appreciation for the marine environment and its value to Eleuthera and The Bahamas. Snorkeling activities are developed with water safety concepts in mind whilst being exposed to the reef environment. Thanks to Casuarina McKinney-Lambert, executive director at BREEF for bringing this exciting activity to Eleuthera, approximately 25 campers took part led by Allanah Vellacott who works for BREEF whilst studying Marine Biology at the College of the Bahamas.


Sailing Camp

Haynes Library provided administrative support, Junior Camp Counselors, volunteers to make and serve lunch and a home base for the Sea Camp. Studies, games and activities took place at the library and after lunch campers went on field trips to nearby beaches. Sea Campers declared it was the best week ever!

The Governor’s Harbour Sailing Club held a very successful week of sailing, swimming and fun from June 18th to 22nd on the beach in front of the Haynes Library. Coach Skip Miller and his team led the participants through an action packed week of sailing, racing, stand up paddle boarding and skurfing (being towed by a boat on a surf board). Jackie Miller assisted with lessons for beginners and intermediate swimmers. Skip commented that apart from the enjoyment, the Sailing Camp was a great opportunity for the children to refine their boating skills and several have decided to join the Sailing Club on a regular basis.


Short Story Workshop with Ms. Cindy Armbrister

The Governor’s Harbour Sailing Club participates in national regattas and provides opportunities for young people to gain the powerboat license. Although the weather threatened to dampen the young sailors’ enthusiasm, only one day ended early due to rain. 38 children enjoyed daily activities from 10 am to 2 pm, lunch was provided and the Haynes Library offered administrative assistance liaising with parents regarding registration. The young sailors also helped their community by making sure that they left their beach clean at the end of the week with a general beach clean-up. Thanks to Daniel J Roberts and Nina Wheeler Roberts who sponsored the camp. A second Sailing Camp took place during the first week of August sponsored by Kelly Estates Ltd. Governor’s Harbour Sailing Club Coach Skip Miller led the camp with 30 keen young sailors assisted by a number of other coaches and  volunteers.

Thank you to everyone who helped make the Haynes Library Summer Programmes happen.

For more information contact: The Haynes Library – hayneslibrary@coralwave.com
Governor’s Harbour Sailing Club – skipmillersailing@yahoo.com
BREEF – breef@breef.org
Levy Preserve – info@levypreserve.org