Youth Activities With The Bahamas National Trust

Navigators Club Initiative

 BNT Navigators is a 3 year program that focuses on teaching children about the importance of preserving and protecting the ecosystems in The Bahamas through classroom studies, hands on activities and field trips. The program has a heavy focus on marine science and provides SCUBA certifications and teaches AGGRA survey methods. 

Bahamas EcoCamp in Andros

EcoCamp in Fresh Creek Andros takes place every July and brings 50  children together from 12 different islands in The Bahamas to learn about nature, conservation, preservation, sustainability, responsibility, accountability and social interaction. The children are not allowed to have phones or technology and are encouraged to push themselves to limits outside of their comfort zones.

Local Classroom Sessions

Classroom presentations and field trips to national parks are some of the activities Cheri has led in her work with The BNT. These learning sessions range from formal educational modules on sharks and sea turtles, to field trips to blue holes and mangrove ecosystems.

Royal Bahamas Defense Force Ranger Youth Program

This youth program within the the Royal Bahamas Defense Force (RBDF) teaches discipline, accountability responsibility, community service, teamwork and scholastic core values to children between he ages of 11-18. The Bahamas National Trust assists with the environmental appreciation, community service and educational  component for this special group of aspiring youths.
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The Rangers on the islands of Grand Bahama and Abaco assist with national park maintenance and projects. This experience instills a sense of pride in the taking care of the beautiful protected areas within the nation.
In June of 2016, six special Ranger youths were selected for a 5 day environmental educational field trip to the Exuma Cays. The children had no access to cell phones or television during their 5 day adventure so their full attention was focused on learning, teamwork, and social interaction with their peers and educators. No motorized land transportation was used, providing a daily hiking experience where the children could learn about their surroundings while traveling to their destinations.

During the trip, these teens were educated on terrestrial and marine species, geography of the Exuma Cays , illegal wildlife trafficking, scientific data collection methods, marine organism ID, the RBDF partnership with the BNT and how important it is to preserve and protect our environment ,our nation’s resources and marine boundaries. Throughout the trip the children expressed their new found appreciation for the beauty of their country and they got to interact with animals on land and in the sea. They gained an understanding of why we need to practice sustainable behaviors if we are to maintain a balance between nature and the financial gain we can reap from tourist related activities that are dependent on the beauty our island nation.