‘No retreat’: Face challenges, pursue dreams, President Bostic tells camp boys

President Jeffrey Bostic has urged young men to confront life’s obstacles head-on, telling campers at an Easter programme that challenges should never stand between them and their dreams.

Speaking during a visit to the Boys 2 Men Easter Camp at the Western Light Church of the Nazarene in St James on Wednesday, the President delivered an interactive session focused on resilience, purpose and self-belief.

Using a chair as a simple but impactful analogy, Bostic explained that challenges are a natural part of life’s journey. He urged the young men not to turn back when faced with difficulties, but to find alternative ways to overcome them.

“Challenges will always be in your life, but you do not allow the challenge to stop you from realising your dreams. Find a way. Face the challenge… no retreat, no surrender,” he said. “If you fall, you pick yourself back up, dust yourself off, and start all over again.”

The President also addressed real-life issues that affect many boys, particularly fatherless homes. He stressed that while this reality can create challenges, support systems within communities, churches, schools and programmes like Boys 2 Men can help fill that gap.

“Growing up in Barbados, a lot of us did not have fathers that lived with us… but we had father figures in the community, in sports, in church, and in school who helped guide us,” he shared.

Encouraging the campers to make the most of the opportunities available to them, Bostic reminded them that success is not about being number one, but about giving their best in whatever they choose to do.

Referring to National Heroes like Sir Garfield Sobers and Rihanna, he highlighted how humble beginnings can lead to extraordinary achievements. He also echoed the philosophy of Dr Martin Luther King Jr., urging the boys to strive for excellence in any path they pursue.

Following his address, campers and counsellors engaged the President in a talk, asking about his journey to the presidency, his age and the rollout of the Chapman Challenge programme.

Bostic revealed that the initiative, which targets young people from Class Three in primary school to age 24, is in its final stages of preparation and is expected to launch soon. He explained that the programme aims to bridge the gap between young people and the many opportunities available to them by building mental and psychological readiness.

“We have to prepare them to make use of the opportunities… and if we start early, we will see a difference,” he said.

Maria Ambrose, who co-directs the camp with her husband, Ambrose Carter, reinforced the importance of such initiatives, noting that many participants come from single-parent households led by mothers.

“Over the course of the week, we try to instil best practices, including how to conduct themselves, even on the internet,” she explained.

The Boys 2 Men programme, hosted by the Charity Ammar Empowerment Network, is currently in its third cohort. The one-week camp runs daily from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and caters to 20 boys aged 13 to 19. A female counterpart called Preparing Princesses follows the same format.

At the camp, participants are exposed to practical, income-generating skills such as hat-making, soap production, sewing, baking and pottery. These skills equip them with tools for independence and entrepreneurship.

At the end of the visit, campers and co-director Maria Carter presented the President with two gifts as a token of appreciation for his time and encouragement.

(LE)