The Youth Services Unit put on three days of community-building events for this year’s Brac Spring Weekend (10-12 March 2017).

Also attended by students from Grand Cayman, including a group from the Cayman Islands Youth Assembly and the YouthFlex radio show, the weekend attracted young people promising a packed programme of activities.

The Brac Spring Weekend featured two youth forums, sponsored by Cayman National. The first one, for youth in Years 8 and 9 was held at Layman E. Scott High School. Around 30 attended the event. The second forum catered to those in Years 10 and 11 and attracted 20 attendees.

Both events provided a space for young people from both islands to discuss local issues of interest to them and what they are experiencing as youth. The forums were lively and provided an opportunity for students to advocate on issues important to them, they were also a chance for the unit and participants to form a better idea of what attendees and their peers can try to do to promote change.

Youth also took part in a 3-on-3 basketball tournament which drew a large crowd of vocal spectators who rooted for the four adult and three youth teams. The matches were lively and competition was fierce but friendly. The Unit was pleased to note increased participation in the event from younger children in the junior division. Cayman Bracers played well to retain their winners’ title from Brac Spring Weekend ’15 but were duly beaten as Grand Cayman won the overall adult trophy and a prize pack from Monster Energy Drinks courtesy of Tortuga.

One outstanding junior division player from Cayman Brac won a jersey from Winners Circle. Grand Cayman’s adult division winners, Team Grand Cayman (Tre Dilbert, Yohan Fitzgerald, Jahmar Dawkins, Jonathon Anderson and Kashown Johnson won Winners Circle gift certificates.

A drone racing exhibition also attracted big crowds. Held at the Bluff Playfield, the devices were piloted by Andrew McLaughlin and Nicholas Bodden. Several spectators donned camera goggles to see the drone racers view of the obstacle course flying demonstration.

An islandwide scavenger hunt followed with five mixed teams from both islands in which participants were led by clues to many historic sites on the Brac.

Team Lil Angels (Marlena Keating, Vitoria Buttrum, Ayanna Davis-Eden, Shantae Ramoon and Brianna Bodden) placed first winning $150; and also goodie bags from the Department of Tourism that contained a metal canteen, charging battery pack, sunglasses, cell phone charger pad, handy hard covered note pad and pen. Team Phoenix came second winning $100 and Team Fergy placed third winning $75.

A kickball competition sponsored by Cayman National pitting Team Cayman Brac vs. Team Grand Cayman was won by the homeside 19 -11. A half line kick-off competition was won by Brac youth Cody Kirkwood who won a Lionel Messi jersey courtesy of Futbolista World.

CIFEC student Kashown Johnson said, “The basketball tournament went well and I enjoyed scoring. One of my favorite moments was hanging out with other young people in the Brac and getting to see what they like to do.”

James Myles, Acting Head of the Youth Services Unit said,“We are very thankful to our sponsors for helping make this event possible and the love we received from the Brackers who showed up and joined us in all these events. We were also impressed by the turnout of the junior division at the 3-on-3 basketball tournament and are grateful for the support from the Cayman Brac community.

“We are looking forward to growing this event and continuing to help foster dialogue between Grand Cayman and Cayman Brac youth,” he concluded.

Brac Spring Weekend was followed by Commonwealth Day on Monday, 13 March 2017 whose theme was “Peace-Building Commonwealth.”

To view more pictures of Brac Spring Weekend ’17, visit the Unit’s Facebook page.