By E.P. Chet Greene
July 27 2026 | Editorial
As we live through the fun and challenges of summer, I find myself reflecting on the extraordinary journey we’ve shared during the 2026 edition of our just ended ‘Youth Empowered to Succeed’ annual summer camp for children aged 5 to 13. This year marked the 15th anniversary of what has become a cornerstone of the St. Paul’s community and I am overwhelmed with gratitude for every hand that made it possible.
Fifteen years ago, this camp began as a modest dream. Today, it stands as a testament to the power of collective love and commitment. For three weeks, we welcomed over 200 children, 10% of whom came from beyond St. Paul’s into a space of learning, laughter and growth. To the parents who entrusted me with their most precious treasures, thank you. Your faith in my team’s ability to nurture, educate and safeguard your children is a responsibility we do not take lightly.
None of this could happen without a village. To the dedicated instructors, sponsors, medical staff and food handlers, you are the backbone of this camp. To our volunteers, who treated their service with the professionalism of paid duty, your selflessness inspires me.
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I risk forgetting names without my records but some memories are too vivid to fade. Paddy Prendergast and his crew at Lucky Eddies top my thank-you list for their unwavering support. The Sailing Academy, Springhill Riding Club, Trevor Simon, Lestroy Skepple, Coach Gregory and his team, our pan and guitar instructors, Leslie Nesbitt, our bus drivers, kitchen staff, janitors and auxiliary staff, all of you deserve the fullest commendation for turning a vision into reality.
A special mention goes to the group of parents who formed a WhatsApp chat group to follow and support camp activities. Your leadership redefined communication and engagement, setting a new standard for parental involvement. Your vigilance and encouragement reinforced our shared commitment to the safety and wellbeing of our children.
Fifteen years of operating a camp without charging a cent to families while providing uniforms and hot daily lunches for more than 200 children over three weeks, speaks volumes about what love and community can achieve. For that, I must acknowledge our corporate sponsors. Your generosity is hereby inked in gratitude and for posterity.
As camp closes, my team does not rest. We now pivot to the final preparatory stages of the 2026 Senior Citizens Annual Summer Excursion, a tradition that takes our elders beyond the monotony of their homes to witness firsthand the development projects shaping our island. For many, limited mobility has reduced their view of progress to television screens; this event brings them into the heart of it. Over 200 seniors will join us for a coastal picnic on Thursday, 30th July, filled with music, food and an entertainment package that bridges generations and celebrates Antiguan and Barbudan culture. To all St. Paul’s residents over 60, I extend a warm invitation to be part of this special day, specially planned for you.
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Our summer of community engagement will culminate on Thursday, 20th August, with the Annual Back to School Fair on the grounds of the Liberta Primary School. On that day students from Cobbs Cross, Liberta and New Bethel Primary Schools will receive their back-to-school supplies, complemented by snacks, drinks, bounce castles and child-friendly games. For our youngest learners in community preschools, supplies will be delivered during the first week of the new school year.
As I pen this, I am already looking ahead to 2027. These activities will return, stronger and more inclusive, because our community deserves nothing less. To my support staff and contributors past, present and future, I thank you in advance for your trust and partnership.
My life’s mission is rooted in a simple creed: keeping it Greene, a commitment to service, sustainability and the belief that no act of kindness is too small when it builds a brighter future for all. Together, we are not just organizing events; we are weaving the fabric of a community that cares.
ST. PAUL’S SUMMER CAMP 2026 GALLERY
