A grueling two-week expedition to Abaco came to an end over the Independence holiday weekend for 200 participants in the Governor General Youth Award (GGYA) scheme, returning home from the 2011 Bahamas Award Scheme Expedition (BASE). "The experience was tiring and exhausting but in the end it was all worth it," said 17-year-old Kirsten Major, who hiked over 60 miles in a bid to obtain a Gold Award from an internationally recognized youth award program.
BASE provides GGYA participants with an opportunity to experience life on a different Family Island, live and work with people other than their normal peers, develop additional leadership skills and qualify for their respective adventurous journey (hiking) level.
The epic event attracted youth who hoped to bag a Gold, Silver or Bronze Award.
Thanks to the G.O.L.D. Initiative -- a financial partnership between the GGYA and the Ministry of Youth, Sports & Culture -- more Family Island and inner-city participants were able to attend this year's event.
Participants came from seven major islands: Acklins, Abaco, Crooked Island, Eleuthera, Exuma, Grand Bahama and New Providence. "BASE is only one component of the GGYA program, but it is the most challenging part for many," said Denise Mortimer, the GGYA's national director who has spent the past 20 years growing the program. The other components include physical recreation activities, engaging in improving personal skills and community service involvement.
BASE 2011 kicked off June 26. During the first few days, participants were based at the Abaco Central High school in Dundas Town. While there they engaged in hands on training, seminars and route planning in preparation for their upcoming expedition.
The first expedition launched July 2, for those seeking to capture the Gold Award. Their trek lasted four days.
On July 3, candidates for Silver set out on their three-day expedition. A day later, participants chasing the Bronze Award embarked on their two-day hike.
Participants were told to pack the basic necessities, which could weigh no more than 25 to 30 percent of their body weight. Items such as cell phones, laptops and iPods were not permitted.
Sytia Bootle, who hoped to gain the Silver Award, learnt the importance of teamwork and keeping an open mind on her 30-mile hike. "Participants were involved in many team building activities including tent pitching, fire safety and CPR," she said. For the most part, the participants said they got more out of BASE 2011 than anticipated during their trek along pristine beaches and through thick pine forests, taking in Abaco's natural beauty. Some spotted the Abaco parrot and woodpecker while others heard the grunts of a wild boar.
It was also a time for participants to make new friends with participants from other islands.
"I'm proud of the participants," said Mortimer. "They overcame hurdles and setbacks very well. There was a lot of rain and, of course, no tent is waterproof."
According to Daramfon Morgan, who hiked to obtain his Bronze Award, the adventurous journey proved to be a task requiring his undivided attention. "In life you have to be team-oriented, courageous and focused to get things done," he said. Participants came from Exuma's L. N. Coakley High, Long Island's NGM Major High School and Crooked Island High School.
Grand Bahama units included Catholic High, Sunland Baptist, St. George's, Jack Hayward High, St. Paul's and Tech school. New Providence based units attending included St. Anne's, C.V. Bethel, Faith Temple Academy, St. Augustine College, Boys Brigade, Aquinas, Police Cadets and Government High. Nine members of the Gold Award Holders Association (GAHA) assisted with camp duties and took part in the expedition.
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