YMCA Brac Camp Showcases Cayman Culture

A group of over thirty kids in Cayman Brac spent two weeks immersed in Cayman’s history and culture at a camp organised by the YMCA Cayman Islands in partnership with Cayman Brac native Simone Scott. The Cayman Brac Culture Camp took place from 31 July to 11 August at the Heritage House, and included such activities as fishing, heritage arts, traditional games, song and dance and scavenger hunts.

In the first week of camp, the campers were introduced to the children’s book Dragon of Nani Cave, written by Elaine Powers, which chronicles the adventures of the curly-tail lizards of Cayman Brac. The Brac’s very own storyteller Quincy Brown read the story to the kids over the course of the week. Other activities included a hands-on lesson about digital book illustration using iPads and iPhones, a beach clean-up for trash and treasure, coral decoration and jewellery making, field trips to the bat cave and the mangroves, getting up close and personal with some turtle hatchlings and learning Cayman folklore and songs.

“The Cayman Islands has just published its Culture and Heritage Policy which further highlights how important it is for our children to be taught about our heritage,” said Scott. “Today’s Caymanian culture has been heavily influenced by other cultures so there is more of a focus on conservation and the environment which is why we decided to concentrate on those topics in our first week. However, the heritage of our forefathers is still very important for both Caymanians and visitors alike, so we spent a lot of time in our second week exploring various aspects of the traditional Cayman culture.”

With the exception of the first day of camp, no electronic devices were allowed on site for the two weeks. The second week was spent learning about traditional Caymanian homes, how to boil fever grass and mint bush tea, thatch plaiting, drawing, rope laying, handline fishing, making tamarind juice, fritters and coconut ice cream, taking a farm tour and walking the bluff trail.

“The Y Cayman Islands was pleased to offer this opportunity to our children to learn more about the rich history and culture of the Cayman Islands. It is only by teaching these traditions and telling these stories to this generation that we will be able to preserve them for the next, and we know from the feedback we have received that the campers enjoyed learning about their country and what makes Cayman so unique,” said Jenny Stuesser, Y Programme Coordinator. “We want to thank Ms. Simone, all the volunteers and people who came to teach the lessons, the companies who donated supplies, the Public Works Department, District Administration and Honourable Moses Kirkconnell for their contributions which made this camp a success.”

For more information about the YMCA Cayman Islands, log on to www.ymcacayman.ky.