The whole group – BBBS board members with sponsors and all the children that participated.

Spending summer vacation enjoying activities with friends is every child’s dream. But for some it’s just that, a dream, because their parents cannot afford to send them to summer camp.

That’s why Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Cayman Islands in association with Abacus, Deckers, and Prime hosted their first annual Send a Kid to Camp Miniature Golf Tournament on Saturday, 27 June, at the Deckers miniature golf course on West Bay Road.

The mission was to raise enough money to cover camp registration fees and other related expenses for Big Brothers Big Sisters mentoring programme participants.

In total, residents and businesses donated a whopping CI$23,650, and all of the proceeds will go directly towards paying camp fees for the children. Combined with discounts and waived registration fees, from various local camps, 100 children will head to camp this summer.

The majority will attend Cayman Aquatics camp operated by Captain Kendra Stuck, who discounted camp fees by 50 per cent and took on children free of charge to make the campaign a success.

Others will also attend camps by Ambassadors of the Environment, Boatswain’s Beach, the Cayman Islands National Trust, Fitness Connection, Premier Fun Soccer, the Department of Tourism and Black Pearl Surf and Skate Park.

Abacus, Deckers, and Prime owners Neil Bryington and Markus Mueri, who brought a large number of sponsors on board, were very enthusiastic to host the event.

“We love to support this wonderful organisation, because its contribution to the community and to Cayman’s future is such a tremendous one,” Mr. Mueri said.

Mr. Bryington and Mr. Mueri provided the golf course, equipment, refreshments, and trophies at no cost to BBBS. Almost 40 children attended the mini-golf tournament and played a round with their big brothers or sisters, family members, and sponsors.

BBBS Chairwoman Margaret Ramsay-Hale, who greatly appreciated the community response, said: “On behalf of the children, who stand to enjoy their summer break so much more this year, I extend our sincere gratitude to every single sponsor who helped us reach our goal.”

Major sponsors for the event were Camana Bay, Kirk Supermarket, Michael Alberga, and Red Sail Sports.

Other sponsors were A.L Thompson, Ace Screen Print, Active Capital, Al La Kebab, Andro, Arch Engineering, Atlas Insurance, BDO, Bedside Manor, Bernard K. Passman, Bodden and Bodden, Capital Realty, Cayman Distributors, Cox Lumber, Crighton Properties, Digital design, Edie’s Décor, First Caribbean, Foster’s Food Fair, Frank Hall Homes, Green Light Re-Insurance Ltd., Hew’s Cleaning Services, Hew’s Hotel and Restaurant Supplies, IDG Ltd., Island Cleaners, Island Companies, Island Supplies, Jacques Scott, LOM Securities, Massive Party Rentals, NCB Homes, Ogiers, Progressive Distributors, Rainbow Realty, Sagicor, Senor Frog’s, Spartan Fencing, Strategic Ricks Solutions, Sunrise Rotary, Tony’s Toys, Vampt Motors, West Indian Trading, Weststar, Bobby Bodden, Linda and Waide DaCosta, Emma Dulles, Kathryn and Scott Elphinstone, Patrick Harington, Kieron O’Rourke of Harneys, Frank and Therese Pallares, and the Ministry of Sports.

For more information on Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Cayman Islands or the Send a Kid to Camp Campaign, please call Acting Executive Director Heather Dell-McVicar on (345) 945-6315.