The Need for Youth Programs
By Isobel Sherman - The Abaconian - 1 Aug 2002

It has become abundantly clear that Abaco must develop programs for our youth. At the recent Abaco Basketball Association Summer Camp a large number of youth came out to participate in this week-long event. The kids walked to the court in Murphy Town twice a day to participate with enthusiasm. Abaco needs programs for our youth. We need persons in the community to volunteer their time to run programs. I am sure we have many talented residents who would be willing to give an hour or two once a week to help our youth. Moreover, we need facilities for these programs.

There has been much talk about the construction of public tennis courts. But the location of available land at no cost is not desirable. Some persons do not want to continue to develop the existing sporting facilities in Murphy Town. Face the facts. It is the best location for the most youth to participate. The next best location is Ocean View Park in Dundas Town which now offers only basketball. These are locations which the kids can walk to. Building facilities on the road to the airport would mean kids would need transportation to get there. Let us be realistic. Not that many parents provide rides for their children or even watch their children participate in a sporting event. That was clear at the recent basketball camp and even at the YMCA Out Reach Basketball Programme held in conjunction with the Vanguard Basketball Club in Freeport that is being held at St Francis De Sales School this summer. In fact, Mr. Lynden Davis, the head of this programme is surprised by the lack of parent involvement.

This lack of involvement is more reason to have program for the youth. Parents would allow their children to participate in program. The overwhelming success of Cyber Learning Summer Camp is another example of parents enrolling their children in an activity.

The market for youth program is here. What is needed are persons willing to work and a committee of persons willing to organize. One way would be to get the Grand Bahama YMCA to help interested adults in developing an outreach program here on Abaco. It is time for us to help our youth by providing meaningful activities for them.