The Bahamas National Trust (BNT) has a long history of pioneering innovative educational programs for Bahamian youth, in hopes that they are nurturing future ecologists and environmentalists. The Discovery Club, which is the youth arm of the BNT, is no different, with over 40 clubs on New Providence, Abaco, Grand Bahama, Andros, Eleuthera, Exuma, Cat Island and Inagua.
The BNT Discovery Club recently celebrated its annual awards and badge ceremony, where 176 students from Freeport and Nassau were granted badges for successfully completing various programs. Students ranging from ages 7-12 were presented with environmental badges in the following categories: national parks, fish, flora, bugs, endangered species, shells and herpetology.
"The Discovery Club prepares students to be excellent stewards of our environment and we are very proud of all of them who have worked hard to achieve their badges," said Lynn Gape, BNT's deputy executive director, who welcomed the students, parents and Discovery Club leaders at the ceremony in Nassau.
Jasmine Wilchcombe, a recent marine biology graduate from the University of St. Andrews, Scotland, is the BNT's Discovery Club coordinator. She gave the closing remarks at the ceremony in Nassau, and in her speech she congratulated the students on a job well done. She told them she looks forward to seeing them receive more badges at next year's event.
At a sister event in Freeport, BNT Executive Director Eric Carey gave the welcoming address and expressed his delight in the program, stressing the importance of younger generations being educated about protecting the environment.
Cecilia Bodie, BNT education officer in Grand Bahama, thanked the club facilitators for their hard work over the course of the year. "We could not run the clubs in our schools without the dedication, interest and commitment of our school leaders," she said.
Schools participating in the Discovery Club ceremonies were Temple Christian High School, St. John's College, E.P. Roberts Primary School, Lyford Cay International School, Nassau Christian Academy, St. Andrew's School and St. Cecilia's Primary School in Nassau; Bartlett Hill Primary School, Freeport Gospel Chapel School, and Mary Star of the Sea Catholic School in Freeport.
The Discovery Club program focuses on allowing students to explore nature, while teaching them new skills. Club activities are fun-filled and school-based. Additionally, students are granted regular visits to national parks and an annual camping trip at the end of the year.
Principals and teachers interested in starting clubs in their schools are asked to contact the Bahamas National Trust at bnt@bnt.bs or visit its website to learn more.

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