(Eleuthera, Bahamas) – Harbour Island’s entirely home-grown, entirely non profit summer camp “Space to Create” has exceeded all expectations this year, setting off an explosion of creativity, learning, and hope in the lives of youngsters on the much loved island. With the gracious support of the Harbour Island all age school and Principle Yorrick Sands, Will Simmons and the camp’s 14 volunteers served over 100 youngsters during a 3-week period in July and August – for free. Their accomplishments, detailed below, are enough to inspire even the most tired and world weary of hearts into believing the Bahamas has a bright future.

The program is a testament that volunteerism is alive and well in Harbour Island and that the hard work of brave and committed individuals can change lives. The camp, which is staffed entirely by volunteers and is funded completely by donations, is in its sixth year. It all began when Will Simmons a Brilander with a passion for theatre had the idea of starting an arts camp to keep kids off the streets. Simmons works as a teacher at the Deep creek Middle School in South Eleuthera but returns to Harbour Island every summer to run the camp, now a tradition for many children on the island.


SPACE To Rally  — Grade 3 and 4 students participate in a mini rally to raise awareness of environmental issues

 

Space to Create
“Space” campers were plunged into a whirlpool of creativity this summer. They worked hard with dance, drama, music and visual art specialists as well as dedicated community volunteers to create a spectacular show. Their show told the story of 6 fictional Bahamian athletes and their journey to the Olympics. Over the course of their careers the athletes learned the 7 Olympic values – Friendship,  Teamwork, courage, determination, excellence, equality and inspiration. The show chronicled these lessons representing each value with a different song, dance or drama scene.

David Lynn an opera singer from Ireland worked day in day out teaching students inspiring hopeful songs that brought tears to the eyes of many in the crowd on the show day. Zenelle Oostuizen a drama instructor from Tring Park a prestigious stage school in the UK created the over arching story of the show and trained students in speech and drama. She managed to build student confidence and really brought out the natural performer in the youngsters she worked with. David Minor a professional Ballet dancer and choreographer from Berlin taught students new dance techniques and fun challenging choreography to up-beat and inspiring songs. Sarah moody coached students in techniques of visual art and photography producing beautiful works using limited resources. A team of 4 local brilanders, Donna Decosta (a professional photographer), Gio Thompson, Christina Darville and Jammi Higgs (all college students) supported this team of specialists, they worked tirelessly to ensure that the massive logistical undertaking of managing 100 kids for 3 weeks was a success.

Hours of practice on hot afternoons, often without electricity, paid off – Over 300 people attended the final production. Despite the sweltering August heat, Harbour Islander’s and visitors crowded under a massive tent on the school basketball court leaving only standing room as the community turned out en masse to support their kids.  The atmosphere was electric and the tent was an explosion of colour with student’s artwork and murals framing the stage and seating area.  Children in straw hats, colourful skirts, groovy t-shirts and brightly coloured tennis shoes brought the stage to life for over an hour bringing joy to all who watched and acquiring huge confidence and valuable life lessons in the process.

The final song of the show titled “Sing!” was originally composed in the UK to celebrate the children and people of the Commonwealth of Nations of which the Bahamas is a member. The kid’s singing brought down the house in rapturous applause and the whole community was bursting with pride in their children who had performed an excellent show with only 2 and a half weeks of preparation.  The event was made extra special by the fact that the Bahamian Olympic team had brought home the gold just one day before- a real life testament that the values of teamwork and sportsman ship are alive and well in Bahamian communities. The whole tent stood and sang the national anthem as the camp director dedicated the show to the winning Olympic relay team.

The inspirational message of the play “We’ve got what it takes “ will echo though the community for months to come as Space to Create has done it again! The Camp’s mission to inspire and empower through the arts has been realised in full.

Marva Higgs a dedicated parent shared something that came to her when watching the show – “ It hit me when I was watching the performance, If these kids could pull of this show and learn all the parts after only 3 weeks imagine if they had a program year round.”

When asked about the program Gail Mullen veteran teacher from Harbour Island and parent of 3 Space Campers responded enthusiastically  – “Space 2 Create has over the last number of years shown just how much raw potential the children of Harbour Island possess. This wonderful Summer Program taps into this potential in a way that is truly amazing as was shown during their final production. The children of Harbour Island sure do have “What it takes”.
Will Simmons the camp director had this to say.

“The kids I work with humble me – they are an inspiration. I am so proud of what my team has accomplished and of the Harbour Island community because despite what people say and despite the overwhelming obstacles – people here have a vibrancy that can’t be extinguished. There is so much love here – there is so much hope here, its just a matter of harnessing it and so many here in the community are working so hard to make it happen whether its sailing, basket-ball, church or the arts – WE have what it takes! “