Brescia University College celebrated the success of its inaugural Girls LEAD International Day Camp last week at Ursuline Convent School in Bridgetown, Barbados, where the camp ran for two weeks.
The 22 female students, who will be entering secondary school in September, enjoyed a series of confidence-building activities during the camp, led by Brescia’s International Student Program Co-ordinator Christina Lord, two Brescia students, an alumna, and four junior counsellors from Barbados.
In addition, two Brescia students from Barbados, home for the summer, volunteered their time daily.
The participants, ages 10–12, were selected by scores on their 11-plus/Common Entrance Exam, facilitated by the Ministry of Education in Barbados. Campers enjoyed cooking healthy meals together, interactive activities, and sharing their culture with the Canadian counsellors.
Camp co-ordinator and Brescia alumna Jennifer Collis says the campers will now be better prepared for high school.
“These skills will enable the girls to be confident in themselves and the lessons learned here will allow them to enter secondary school with self-confidence and the belief that they can conquer the world,” she says.
Brescia principal Colleen Hanycz predicts a bright future for the participants.
“Watch out for these girls. You haven’t heard the last of them,” she says. “They are bright, focused, and determined to make something of themselves.”
Hanycz could also have been speaking about the participants in the local Girls LEAD camps running throughout the summer at Brescia. Now in its fourth year, all three sessions of the camp, grouped by the participants’ grade levels, are sold out. Local camps are in session until Aug. 20.