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PUBLISHER & EDITOR
Katrina Ball
BUSINESS CONSULTANT
Vic Ball
ADVERTISING SALES
Wanda Brown wanda@knbmediagroup.com 333-1925
Alicia Resnik alicia@knbmediagroup.com 236-9218
DESIGN & PRODUCTION
Picante Creative
WRITERS & CONTRIBUTORS
Jennifer Burland-Adams, Julie Butler, Miguel DaPonte, Lorene Phillips, Mona Walker, Department of E-Commerce, Peter Beckaberg, Soltrino, Alicia Resnik, Clare Panchaud, Nadia Laws, SCARS, Carla Seely, Lauren Yelle-Simmons
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Ampersand, Nina Cotterill, Mona Walker, BHS, TeamBDA
Bermuda Parent Magazine is published four times a year. Reader correspondence, photo submissions and editorial submissions are welcome. We reserve the right to edit, reject or comment editorially on all material contributed. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced without express written consent of the publisher. The opinions expressed by contributors or writers do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this magazine. Distribution of this product does not constitute an endorsement of the products or services herein.
CONTACT US
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Spring is here and we have so much in the next few months to look forward too. The America’s Cup have truly created a sporting legacy on our beautiful island with the America’s Cup Endeavour Sailing Program, now every child can have a chance to experience sailing unlike never before, read more about their program on page 18. As Bermudians we can really get behind this huge event as we have our very own youth participating. Be sure to read all about Team BDA on pages 36-45. Even though Spring has just arrived, as parents we always have to be planning for the future. We have our annual Summer Camp directory to be able to help. Remember that our past spring issues may also be a resource so check these out on our website www.mybermudaparent. com. As we think about which camps or individuals you leave your children with I implore you to read both SCARS empowerment article (page 58) and The Voice that Heals a Na tion (page 56). We must ensure our children are protected and in safe environments at all times. This issue has several other great articles like the old adage Chores...Do you think they are still relevant today? Have a read on page 28 and let me know your thoughts!
PREGNANCY
6 Building Core Birth Strength
Birth is about trusting our bodies read more here.
LITTLE ONES
14 A School for the Future
Be sure to read how BHS is leading the way for the next generation of leaders with their campaign for innovation.
Gain
Learn more about Biz Camp and how you can learn more to get
48 Fitness for the Whole Family
This article gives great alternatives to growing together as a family through fitness and exercise.
50 Are you Being Nourished and Nurtured?
As moms we need constant reminders that we must take care of ourselves, Clare Panchard gives us some great take away tips.
58 SCARS Empowering Guide
Part 1 of SCARS Empowerment Guide focuses of young children and building them up and giving them tools to use for a lifetime.
60 Pocket Money
Carla Seely tells us why it’s not all about the money.
Ever wondered what your kids get out of doing chores? Read this article
17 steps you can do to make things
Summer’s Coming—
Summer will be here before you know it. Test your knowledge of sun protection in this article.
8 RAISING KIDS WHO ARE SMART ABOUT MONEY
18 AMERICA’S CUP ENDEAVOUR CREATES A SPORTING LEGACY
24 CAMP DIRECTORY
30 INSIDER’S SCOOP TO DISNEY
36-45 GET TO KNOW TEAMBDA
52 END-TO-END CELEBRATES
30 YEARS
56 A VOICE TO HEAL THE NATION
65 BIRTHDAYS
66 BPM KIDS
With the Select Accumulator Plan from Butterfield and regular monthly contributions—from as little as $250 per month—your money is automatically working harder for you through one of Butterfield’s five separate “fund-of-funds” investment portfolios.
It’s time to make your investments count. There is a Select portfolio to suit the goals and risk tolerances of virtually any investor.
For more information and an appointment to discuss your investment needs, please contact us at 299 3817 or stop by our Investment Centre.
www.butterfieldgroup.com
Ihave been teaching childbirth education classes and supporting women as a doula for over a decade and I can honestly say that every class and every birth reveals something new to me. I am a birth junkie…….I can read the latest research, birth stories and blogs for hours but nothing teaches and inspires me more than the actual doing and using the knowledge and skills that I have developed over this time. One of the most important things that I have witnessed is the value of developing ‘core birth strength’ for a positive birth experience. In other words, a deep and convicted trust in a women’s body to be able to give birth. This trust is as important for those that are caring and supporting the woman, as it is for the
woman herself. Some women will have this trust because of the culture they grew up in, but for those of us from the more typical western birth culture, I usually find when birth is mentioned, there is generally a response characterized by fear. A quote I found a few years ago and use as a discussion point in my classes is “Women have lost trust in their body’s ability to give birth without drama, drugs and damage”. So how do we regain this trust, this core birth strength? There are many ways but one thing we know is that the importance of good preparation for birth, both psychological and physical, is often underestimated. I would also want to stress the value of psychological preparation. Professional athletes are well-acquainted with the power of positive affirmations and visualization to improve performance. Research shows that women who actively prepare for birth as a normal, natural event, have lower rates of intervention. Women who have a fear of birth, or who are ambivalent, have higher rates of intervention and caesarean birth. So clearly taking a childbirth education class that helps couples
understand the mechanics of how a baby negotiates the pelvis and what helps and hinders this process is important. But what is also clear is that, just going to a class isn’t enough, you have got to take ownership of your birth by taking time to become strong and aware both physically and emotionally. You would never plan to do a 5K running race or half marathon without preparing so think of giving birth in the same way as you would any endurance endeavour……..with a little practice every day, visualizations, affirmations, reading a positive birth story, doing some birth focused exercise all of these accumulate and strengthen your belief. Also attending exercise classes with an emphasis on pre-natal preparation that help you strengthen your belief that birth is not something to be feared but something to be embraced and that
you are stronger than you know. As an educator, I always have to try and strike a balance between being real about the challenges of giving birth and not making women more fearful. Giving birth may well be the hardest thing you ever do, even with medical pain relief and the great support but what I can promise you is that building your core birth strength over the pregnancy will make all the difference to your labour and birth experience however it unfolds.
Fiona Dill is a registered nurse by profession, she has a Diploma in Childbirth Education (National Childbirth Trust) in 2003 and started Birth Matters Workshops (childbirth classes) as well as VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Caesarean) Workshops. She is a trained Doula (Childbirth International) and has been present at over 250 births at King Edward Memorial Hospital. She also teaches Parenting Classes designed by the Family Caring Trust (Ireland). Fiona can be contacted at fiondill@logic.bm.
When I began writing this article, I started off with the ordinary things you would write when asked to put something together for a magazine on money matters such as saving for retirement and investing.
Then my focus changed. I thought since mothers historically have such an impact on their kids, is there some way they can to teach their kids about money matters? My answer came from a book called The Opposite of Spoiled – Raising Kids who are Grounded, Generous and Smart about Money by Ron Lieber.
The book was filled with interesting anecdotes and lessons on teaching kids about money, keeping them grounded and handling those hard questions about wealth like “Mommy are we poor or rich?”.
1. Use an allowance as a teaching tool.
Most people link allowance to chores i.e. if you do this, you get this. However, the author argues an allowance should be independent of chores because children “ought to do [chores] for the same reason we do — because the chores need to be done.” He provides a neat formula for an allowance based on age not work
– “with children under 10, 50 cents to $1 a week per year of age….with a raise on their birthdays.”
2. Have them split their allowance into three jars: give, save and spend. Financially healthy adults will spend about 80% of what they earn, save 15%-20%, and give the remaining balance. For children this can be used as a lesson on budgeting. Each jar serves as a stand-in for the values and virtues that are the opposite of spoiled.
3. Let your children make their own spending decisions.
“They’ll inevitably make mistakes or spend money on trinkets and regret it later when they don’t have money for things they truly want,” says Lieber. “So letting them make mistakes — spectacular ones even — is a great way to go, because then they learn.”
4. Explain how you distinguish between wants vs. needs.
Every family will have its own threshold for this, but even more important is that you communicate why you set the line there.
5. Involve them in your giving decisions.
When you allocate your charity budget, get your children’s input. With his own daughter,
Lieber and his wife put 100 beans on their dining room table to represent their donations for the year (because she was 8, they didn’t get into the dollar amounts) and then set aside beans for various charities based on where they had previously donated.
6. Have your kids work.
For parents worried that time spent working is time spent not studying or volunteering, Lieber explains, “Parttime jobs are correlated with high college expectations and good grade point averages so long as a teenager doesn’t work for more than 15 hours or so each week.”
7. Practice gratitude.
Try performing a toast at the beginning of every meal — to any person or thing or institution that has made you happy that day. Kids love it because it’s a grown-up thing and they love the visceral fun of clinking glasses. But more importantly, “it helps kids focus on the things they have. If you do that enough, it can lead to not wanting quite as many things as you don’t have,” he says.
Please let me know your thoughts or any other suggestions you may have for teaching kids by emailing me on mdaponte@bfm.bm.
Education is the best investment you can make in your child. The earlier you start, the more time your money has to grow. Our Educational Savings Plan is simple to set up. BF&M will be happy to help you get started with deposits as little as $50 a month.
For more information please call 295-5566 or visit us online at www.bfm.bm.
• Play-based screenings for 24 – 30 month old children
• Parent and Children’s Book Library
• Toy Library
ALSO AVAILABLE:
• Parent Infant Group
• Premature Infant Programme
PArEntIng wOrkShOPS:
• 1,2,3,4 Parents!
• 1,2,3 Magic
tOPICS AVAILABLE:
• Motor Development
• Developmentally Appropriate Programming
• Bonding: Early Steps to Attachment
• Behaviour Management
• Language Learning
Girls are naturally interested in how things work, in the process of learning and problem solving.
gives students the skills they need to be successful in the global economy of today and tomorrow.
SIX TIMES more likely to consider majoring in math, science, and technology
&
Research shows that girls’ school graduates are NATIONAL COALITION OF GIRLS SCHOOLS
THREE TIMES more likely to consider engineering careers compared to girls who attend co-ed schools.
STEAM jobs are the jobs of the future around the world. In the last 10 years, STEAM jobs have grown 3x greater than non-STEAM jobs.
opens doors to many career paths in many different industries.
gives girls every opportunity to learn, explore, discover and innovate.
BHS launched its Leading the Way Campaign for Innovation on March 20, 2017, raising funds to build a 14,000 square foot Innovation Centre purposed for Science, and Technology, and renovate existing space to centralise the Visual and Performing Arts into an Arts Wing at the School, as part of its STEAM focus. As of press time in February, the School had raised more than $6.5 million towards their capital goal of $10 million.
STEAM education combines Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math curricula both inside and outside
the traditional classroom. The skills and knowledge acquired in each of these disciplines are essential for student success in today’s world; skills like critical and creative thinking, resourcefulness and collaboration, along with specific technological expertise. Schools worldwide are working to raise awareness of these various skills, and BHS is leading the way on STEAM in Bermuda to enhance the education of the next generation of innovators and leaders. Around the world, girls who obtain a STEAM education not only prosper more than those who have never learned about STEAM topics, but they
also improve their communities by providing new technology, economic and educational opportunities. Research has also shown that girls’ school graduates are six times more likely to consider majoring in Math, Science, and Technology and three times more likely to consider engineering careers compared to girls who attend co-educational schools. With universities and businesses around the world looking to increase the number of women in STEAM, BHS is best poised to graduate students with the skills necessary to succeed.
Being able to improve the quality of what BHS offers to a higher standard makes giving access to education more meaningful. By offering a higher quality and comprehensive STEAM programme with updated facilities, the School is broadening the potential for a wider educational experience, not only for current and future BHS students, but also for others in the community.
BHS is approaching the integration of STEAM in three ways: curriculum changes, extra-curricular enhancements, and expanding and updating facilities.
When the Innovation Centre at BHS is built, there will be five science labs which will ensure that all Secondary and IB Science classes are taught in a lab and that Upper Primary students also have regular lab experience. Studies show that girls, in particular, need to be able to envision themselves in a
role before they can fully consider it as a career choice, and so the earlier that teachers can stoke that sense of exploration and curiosity, the better – BHS wants all of its students to be completely at home in a lab, around robotics and with coding.
As a School, BHS believes wholeheartedly in providing a well-rounded education for all of its students, and a strong Arts programme is an integral part of that philosophy. With the creation of the Innovation Centre, there is the perfect opportunity to consolidate and coordinate the Dramatic, Visual and Musical Arts in a dedicated Arts Wing.
The world today requires that students graduate with many skills –they need to be able to not only think critically, but also creatively, and to communicate these thoughts effectively. Creative subjects benefit not just those who wish to pursue the Arts at the tertiary level, but all students, no matter their passion.
This modern BHS campus will be a place where future leaders in Science, Business, Technology, and the Arts acquire the critical and creative thinking and dynamic problem-solving skills that will catapult them into success in all of these areas. BHS is confident that this initiative will help educate and empower the next generation of leaders in Bermuda. To learn more about the Leading the Way Campaign, visit www. leadingtheway.bm.
lay is important for ALL children. That’s why MAMA has created the Boundless Playground initiative to raise funds to help rebuild and redesign the playground at WindReach Bermuda. Outdoor, inclusive, challenging play has been proven to be some of the best type of play for developing children. From language development to motor skills, physical play has many benefits. An inclusive playground, where children (and adults) of varying abilities have access to a diverse range of play equipment – that can challenge all skill levels – allows children with disabilities the opportunity to enjoy active play and social inclusion by teaching children of all abilities that everyone has their differences and similarities.
WindReach has been spearheading the concept of inclusive play for almost 20 years but their playground facility is in dire need of updating and repair.
The playground currently on the grounds at the WindReach facility in Warwick was installed nearly 20 years ago. The facility has strived to meet the ever-increasing demand for operational funding and capital projects but they have not been able to make the renovation of their playground a priority. The current playground structure is showing many areas that are in need of repair and revitalization. These areas include the accessible treehouse, slide, sandpit and fencing.
The vision for the new playground is to incorporate traditional play structures alongside many natural elements to challenge and stimulate imagination and creativity. Without large, garish plastic structures, the Boundless Playground will integrate with the landscape and spark children’s imagina-
tions. There will be opportunity to play with nature from climbing boulders and logs, crawling through tunnels, digging in the sand, collecting leaves and making mud pies. It will be a place where children can have fun, get dirty and choose what and how they play. The new playground is set to become a desirable place for party rentals and command substantial rents that would generate valuable income for WindReach’s programmes and pay for the upkeep of the park.
Rebecca Lucking, Boundless Playground project manager, stated: “Many parents take a trip to the playground for granted, however, there are families here in Bermuda that are denied that simple pleasure. Children with physical and
A MAMA project for WindReach Boundless is an initiative launched by MAMA to redevelop the playground at WindReach. Play is a vital activity for healthy child development and a simple joy that is a cherished part of childhood. Boundless Playground will encourage all children to use their imagination and develop their dexterity, and physical, cognitive, and emotional strength in a natural environment. Many of WindReach’s visitors can be prone to have a more inactive lifestyle and have more chance for under, over, or misuse of various muscle groups. As the only accessible playground in Bermuda, Boundless will be an important part of their becoming and staying healthy. Visitors who feel “different” may struggle with self-esteem and confidence issues, so offering a play space that allows them to focus on their abilities rather than their limitations can help them to feel better about themselves.
cognitive impairments face huge challenges in their everyday life and miss out on some of the most cherished aspects of childhood. We would dearly love to give them the joy of playing with their friends and family in a safe but challenging and interactive environment and to give them greater social interaction. The site at WindReach has amazing potential to become an adventure playground for children of all abilities and also to become an income generator for the rest of WindReach’s vital programs.”
Boundless Bermuda is aiming to raise $300,000 to revamp this essential asset to both WindReach and the community. The organization has raised $15,000 and is hoping to continue to raise money through corporate donations as well as local expertise to help make this vision a reality. There are several ways to get involved with bringing the playground to life including volunteer opportunities and donations.
For more information about Boundless Playground and making a donation, contact Robyn Bardgett at 536-4945 or email robyn@ boundlessbermuda.com
is one of the crown jewels of the 35th America’s Cup. Its legacy will leave a lasting, positive effect on everyone who engages with the program well into the years when the deeds of the sailors competing in the America’s Cup in Bermuda in May and June 2017 are written into the annals of history.
In very simple terms, the America’s Cup Endeavour Program has been created to leave a sporting legacy in Bermuda and it has three main pillars.
First, and most importantly, it is an educational initiative. The America’s Cup Endeavour Program is enabling thousands of students across Bermuda to learn more about sailing through a cross-curriculum STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) Education Program.
Sailing is now integrated into the curriculum in Bermuda and students are participating in a five-day program at one of the two America’s Cup Endeavour Program bases in the east and west of Bermuda, learning the basics of sailing and increasing their understanding of water safety and overall sailing knowledge. They have the opportunity to learn how to sail on four types of boats: Hobie Wave, RS Feva, O’Pen Bic, and Optimists and they develop their skills with certified sailing instructors.
Secondly, and building on the first point, the America’s Cup Endeavour Program is about youth sailing. This is about making sure that every young person in Bermuda aged 9 – 12 has the chance to try sailing. In addition the students have the chance to tour the ORACLE TEAM USA base and witness the incredible technology and facilities the team utilizes. This is the stuff of dreams for anyone interested in sailing, and is a hugely inspirational opportunity for tomorrow’s sailors in Bermuda.
The America’s Cup Endeavour Program benefits from some great industry partnerships to provide and maintain the equipment used, and they are supporting the goal to reach students from all areas of Bermuda and give them the opportunity to try sailing and develop an appreciation for the marine environment. For those who show an enthusiasm for continuing in the sport the Program provides a link between the young people and already established sailing centers and is assisting them to revamp their youth programs to make their boats available to children who otherwise wouldn’t have access.
Third is college sailing internships with ORACLE TEAM USA. In collaboration with the Intercollegiate Sailing Association and North Sails the America’s Cup Endeavour Program has set up a training/internship program where the top college sailors in the United States are being brought in to Bermuda for an internship session each year to train with and learn from ORACLE TEAM USA. In addition, the next generation of US sailing stars also travel to the North Sails facility in Minden, Nevada, to learn important industry skills.
Three of the top intercollegiate coaches have also been invited to Bermuda to work with the team and share coaching technology and methods which will multiply the impact of this initiative as they take learnings back and pass them on to other coaches and sailors.
So that is the America’s Cup Endeavour Program. It is teaching sailing and important life skills. It is using sailing as a platform to teach a wide range of subjects, and it is inspiring children to take up sailing. One day, a Bermudian might be holding aloft the America’s Cup, and they might be able to trace back their sailing roots to the America’s Cup Endeavour Program. That would be incredible, but equally satisfying to everyone involved in the America’s Cup Endeavour Program is seeing children try sailing for themselves. That is reward enough and is what the program has been set up to do. Learn more at americascup.com.
oung budding entrepreneurs were invited to develop their business savvy during two innovative training camps being conducted during the spring term break.
The Youth Entrepreneurship Initiative (YEI), in conjunction with the Department of E-Commerce, will once again lead the highly-rated BizCamps, utilising the award-winning curriculum from the Network For Teaching Entrepreneurship (www.nfte.com), and designed to cultivate the entrepreneurial mindset in our future business leaders, inspiring them to launch their own businesses.
These intensive five-day programmes are specifically designed for students aged 13 to 17. The first started on March 27th and the second on April 3rd.
At BizCamps, participants develop the necessary skills and receive active mentoring to help them turn their interests into viable business ideas. At BizCamps, they will have the opportunity to:
• generate business ideas using their passions and skills
• perform basic business finance analysis (costs, price, revenue, profit, budgeting, taxes)
• learn how to effectively market and sell products and services,
• connect with successful Bermudian entrepreneurs, and
• write a basic business plan that they will present to a panel of judges. Top finishers will be selected for awards.
Joe Mahoney, Executive Director of the YEI states, “The goal is to inspire young people to hone their business-savvy and have the opportunity to become economically self-sufficient. Participants are provided with a business plan template after they learn the fundamental concepts. They then compile their own business plan, based on specific information regarding their own business idea. Last but not least, they present
the final product to a panel of judges selected from the business community who will provide them with feedback geared towards building an even stronger business plan.”
Past participants developed and presented business plans, earning certificates for participating in the programme. Last camp, top presentations were submitted by:
• Chefanices Williams from the Berkeley Institute with her Farm Express concept,
• Bermuda Institute students Cusheah Smith with Sugar & Spice Bakery, and
• Angel Seaman with Princess Parlor Day Spa, also from Bermuda Institute.
Local entrepreneurs and development partners also attend BizCamps to present real-world practices. Jamillah Lodge of the Bermuda Economic Development Corporation customarily acts as a BizCamp judge. She states: “It is such a rewarding opportunity to see what the future of Bermudian entrepreneurship looks like. I look forward to meeting each of the participants at the next BizCamps and to hearing them talk about their entrepreneurial passion.”
Parents continually express their appreciation for the growth witnessed in their children as the programme progresses. Ms. Seaman wrote to thank the teachers and assistants and expressed her hope that Angel would be able to participate in additional enterprise development programmes. The YEI’s response was a resounding “Yes!” and has referred Angel to Start-Up Weekend, an initiative fostered by the Bermuda Economic Development Corporation and Department of E-Commerce1.
Since its inception in 2002, the YEI has directly served over 860 students aged 13 to 19 through these intensive weeklong programmes. It believes that training young entrepreneurs is a sustainable solution to the ever-evolving needs of the market by creating dynamic, responsive, cost-conscious individuals. The refinement of business skills leads to the growth of leadership abilities in the youth, teaching them to take the initiative for change in their own lives and communities. Training, technical assistance, and mentorship are, without a doubt, the most important steps to successfully empowering a young person to overcome nearly any challenge.
The Department of E-Commerce has, year after year, supported BizCamps. Says the Director of E-Commerce Dr. Marisa Stones, who is also a BizCamp judge: “The BizCamps are a highlight in our calendar. During the week, we see firsthand how ideas blossom into business opportunities. The programme leverages technology and mentoring to get par-
ticipants from identifying what they love to do into making it a viable money-making possibility. Every year, I am impressed in what is accomplished in a single week.”
There is no fee for students who are accepted to attend BizCamp - thanks to the support of our sponsors including the Department of E-Commerce, the Bank of Bermuda Foundation, Partner Re, Tokio Millennium Re, The Argo Foundation and One Communication. Lunch is provided for a small cost each day.
Electronic applications are available at www.bedc.bm in the “Upcoming Events” section. Alternatively, applicants may send an email to e-commerce@gov.bm.
StartUp Weekend is a globally recognized, non-profit, communitybuilding event that is a technology-focused, three-day frenzy of business model creation, coding, designing, innovation and market validation. During the weekend, coaches from various industry backgrounds and local entrepreneurs are available to the participants as they develop and test their ideas. The event culminates in presentations to an audience of judges.
Using
Our children now have easy access to the Internet and Social Media: it’s all at their fingertips!
Let’s make sure they use the Internet responsibly and stay safe online.
It’s not a problem until it becomes a problem.
Our small, Bermuda-based private school is committed to nurturing student’s individual strengths and creativity, developing effective problem solvers and encouraging our teachers, students and families to remain innovative, inquisitive and future-focused. We are accredited by NAEYC, members of COBIS and we utilize the IEYC/IPC/IMYC Curriculum. We
Early Years (18 mths 5 years)
Primary (boys, 5 7 years)
Middle (boys, 12 14 years)
Senior (boys, 14 16 years)
VISITORS ALWAYS WELCOME! CONTACT US: 504-1890 schoolsadmin@bercon.bm
Junction, Utopia and Bermuda’s Brazilian Football School.
We believe in providing children with a safe environment where they can learn, explore, develop and grow. We believe that we are partners with parents in nurturing and caring for your children. We will teach them, guide them, befriend them and do our best for them. Little Learners Preschool offers several programs that help children grow into well rounded Learners who are ready to begin the formal years of their education by giving them a solid foundation into the joy of learning.
We are excited to announce that we are now accepting babies from 3 months through 5 years old. Make an appointment to come by and see our new infant/toddler space beginning in May 2016! Enrollment is ongoing throughout the year.
www.edgewoodpediatrics.com
Are you naturally curious with a proven aptitude for science, technology, engineering and math? STEM Camp is held at the Ascendant Group Training Centre, 27 Serpentine Road, facilitated by engineers from BELCO and iEPC and led by STEM education professionals. Students develop challenging robotic projects and take field trips, gaining knowledge plus problem-solving, critical thinking and research skills, STEM confidence and competence.
STEM Camp: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm. Monday-Friday*(8:30 am early drop-off available).
Ages 12 - 14
WEEK 1: July 3-7. WEEK 2: July 10-14, WEEK 3:July 17-28 (2 weeks)
$250 per student. Bring lunch or buy for $10 from Ascendant Group Canteen. Beverages and snacks provided. Contact Teree Tucker, 299-2835 or tdtucker@ascendant.bm
*Dates are subject to final confirmation. Check our website for updates in Med-March.
Bermuda Cricket Board Easter & Summer Cricket Camps!
Come play cricket, learn drills, skills and more with internationally certified coaches
Easter Camp Dates: March 27 - March 31
Summer Camp Dates: July 3 – August 2
Time: 7.45am – 3pm (after camp 3pm-5.30pm)
Cost: $120 per week (after camp $50 per week)
Location: Warwick Academy (TBC)
Registration: Bermuda Cricket Board or www.cricket.bm
Charities House, 25 Point Finger Road, Paget, DV 04
T. 292 8958 F. 292 8959
E. info@cricket.bm
Explorer Camps
BUEI has 15 different Explorer Camps with themes ranging from ‘Wild Weather’ to ‘Prehistoric Seas’. The programmes integrate literacy and numeracy, and are designed to inform, motivate and excite children using hands-on activities, experiments, interactive computer learning, scavenger hunts, arts & crafts, and competitions.
BUEI Explorer Camps are geared towards children aged 7-13.
Camps are conducted from 9am to 3pm with camp supervision available until 5pm. For more information visit our website www.buei.bm or call 294-0207
Summer Computer Camp
July 3 - Aug 2, 2017
Aug 7 - Sept 1, 2017
For children ages 5 - 10 years. Our camp is designed to strengthen learning skills & motivate students to seek higher levels of achievement in math, science, reading (and comprehension), writing, spelling, problem solving, computer & IPad usage.
Monday to Friday ** 8:30am - 5:30pm
Cost: $125 per week. Registration fee: $10
Contact: 292-0915
Email: admin@care.bm
www.care.bm
C.A.R.E Learning Centre, 38 Mount hill, Pembroke Arts & Crafts ** Movies ** Field Trips
Summer Program: Ballet, Jazz, Modern, Hip-Hop, Boys hip-hop, and Adult Hip-hop and Jazz, Dates: June 24-Aug 26 (Fridays and Saturdays). Cost $175 Ages 3-18. Cost: $140 Adults. Price is inclusive of all 10 weeks. Concludes with a dance recital.
Centre Stage Dance Camp: Ballet, Jazz, Hip-hop, and Modern dance. Creative workshops in drama & choreography, outings, dress up and so much more! Kids will perform in our Annual Summer DanceSations Dance Recital. Dates July 31st – Aug 25th. Time: Monday - Friday 8:30 am - 5:30pm. Ages 7-12 yrs. Cost: $180 per week. Call 292-4100 for more information or visit www.dancesations.bm to register!
OPERATION ARCTIC
Time: 6:30 PM until 8:30 PM
Ages: 4 years – 12 years (4 years completing Preschool in June, 12 years completing MI this year)
Date: July 2-6
Cost: FREE
JUNIOR CAMP
Place: Grace Island (Overnight Camp)
Ages: 8-12 years
Date: July 10-15
Cost: $275.00 per camper ($225.00 second child)
Register online by June 15 (Space is limited) www.evangelicalchurchbermuda.com
Email: office@ecb.bm
A Young Person’s Guide to Etiquette
Total immersion etiquette camps for girls and boys aged 7 to 13. Teaching poise, confidence, integrity, making good choices in life and leadership. Classes include etiquette instruction, social skills role playing, arts and crafts as well as afternoon tea. Classes are held school half term breaks and summer holidays.
NEXT CLASSES: July and August 2017 Private classes can be arranged upon request.
Additional classes: Academy for Young Ladies: Ages 14 to 18 years
Intensive Etiquette and Protocol: 3 – day course for men and women, ages 19 years and up.
“Where etiquette is not only taught - it becomes a way of life”.
Etiquette Educator Certification - Train to become a certified instructor using the established Executive School of Protocol business model for the ‘Young Diplomats of Bermuda ’program. Hands on experience actually working with children in a live classroom setting. For information on all programs contact: tsnaith@ibl.bm; 441-505-8358; www.esop.bm
We offer week-long camps for 8-11 years old and 11-14 year olds. All include excursions to Bermuda National Trust nature reserves and historic houses to inspire wild creativity with preservation and conservation at the heart. Children play games, create art, learn how to design upcycling projects and crafts, build forts, explore trails and help the environment with our Trust-Ed staff. These camps emphasize project-based learning and “Each One, Teach One” mentorship. For more information please visit our website at www.bnt.bm, email education@bnt.bm or call 236-6483
A Smarter Summer at Oxford Learning Research into summer learning shows that students can lose up to 30% of their academic skills over the summer break. This means that in the fall, students are actually further behind that when they left school at the beginning of summer. Maintaining academic momentum over the summer prevents this backward learning slide, and keeps their brains in active learning mode so that they are ready to learn from the first day of school.
With OXFORD LEARNING SUMMER PROGRAMS, CHILDREN:
• Maintain an educational routine
• Catch up at a comfortable pace
• Get ahead with introduction to next grade concepts
• Develop new learning skills
Contact us at 296-6060. We are located at 53 Court Street, Hamilton
E: Bermuda@oxfordlearning.com
W: oxfordlearning.com
Swimming Instinct
www.swimminginstinct.com
info@swimminginstinct.com
297 8062
Locations: Pembroke and St George’s. We offer 1:1 lessons to all students age 3 and above and group lessons to babies better the ages of 3 and 36 months. Most baby lessons take place in St George’s in a purpose built, heated pool.
For a 15% discount on a 1-hour family session, email BPZKHSpring2017 to info@zeudihindsphotography.com or text 737-5077.
Session includes service time, all editing and post production and electronic or USB delivery of 20-30 images. Booking must be made by May 15, 2017. Subject to availability. Contract required. Family session includes up to 10 people. Additional persons will incur additional costs. Valid for bookings May 1 - June 30, 2017.
441.737.5077 | info@zeudihindsphotography.com | www.zeudihindsphotography.com www.facebook.com/zeudihindsphotography
Sign up for the 2017 Ascendant Group STEM Summer Camp for students, aged 12 to 14 years. You must be naturally curious with a proven aptitude for science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM).
STEM Camp is held at the Ascendant Group Training Centre, 27 Serpentine Road, facilitated by engineers from BELCO and iEPC and led by STEM education professionals. Students develop challenging robotics projects and take field trips, gaining knowledge plus problem-solving, critical thinking and research skills, STEM confidence and competence.
STEM Camp: 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, Monday-Friday* (8:30 am early drop-off available).
CAMP 1: JULY 3-7 CAMP 2: JULY 10-14
CAMP 3: JULY 17-28 (2 weeks)
$250 per student Bring lunch or buy for $10 per day from Ascendant Group Canteen. Beverages and snacks provided.
Schedule and Application available at www.bermudacamps.com, www.ascendantgroup.bm, www.belco.bm or Lobby Reception Desk at 27 Serpentine Road. Contact Teree Tucker, 299 2835 or tdtucker@ascendant.bm.
Completed applications must be submitted by June 2.
Parenting is the toughest, most challenging, selfrevealing, humbling and vulnerable role I have ever been responsible for in my life. I chose to be a parent 3 times and I am still in awe at the uniqueness and the incredible honor it is to be given the opportunity to influence and love unconditionally another human being.
With just over 21 years of experience as a parent I will aim to share with you transparently the ups and downs of parenting and what I have learnt along the way that could be of help to you.
Chores are by far the best way to teach and train your children to develop among other things, the following core set of values:
• Work Ethic
• Responsibility
• Dependability
• Citizenship
• Team work
• Sense of contribution and achievement
• Builds confidence and self-esteem
The earlier you start the better it will be for your child(ren) and for your family. It is important that your list of chores be reflective of where each child is developmentally, so a toddler may be required to put his/her shoes in the basket by the door while a young child may be required to put his/her shoes on the shoe rack in their room. You get the idea.
There are so many online tools that can help you to put together a chore list and determine a reward system. In our home, we believe that chores is also a key way in which our children can contribute at home. Have a think about your reward system it could be non-monetary like extra time to play outside, extra tv time or to have a favorite friend over for an afternoon.
Chores develop skills such as perseverance, working with integrity, strong organizational skills, working well with others, maintaining focus on a task until it’s satisfactorily completed and
experiencing the satisfaction associated with hard work - success. Developing these skills will distinguish and position our children with confidence to take advantage of any opportunity in the ‘real world’.
Be prepared to periodically adjust your chore list to reflect your core values because this is the real motivation for creating your list.
I assure you this is time well spent and you will see the evidence of this lived out positively in your children’s lives because children who master chores become better students, better employees and overall better people. This is great citizenship. Just take a second and think about what your children’s lives could be like WITHOUT these core values – I don’t believe this is what we desire for our children.
So how can you start making chores in your home an intentional way to develop our children’s character? I have listed a couple of questions in the application section below that you can consider acting on right away.
1. Think of 2 practical things that your child(ren) can start doing immediately that can remove some of the pressure at home?
2. Set a date when you can complete a chore list for your kids and outline the steps to get it done.
3. Is there an App or some other tool that you could use to assist you with developing your chore list?
4. Discuss with your spouse/partner how you will approach rewards around these chores.
Chores are a practical tool that you can use right away to help your children become the very best they can be whilst making the workload lighter for mom and dad.
Now that’s a happy home.
Lorene Phillips has a successful international underwriting career in the Re/insurance industry for over 2 decades and is an executive coach and career strategist with Convergent Consulting. She is happily married to
her husband Eugene, has 3 sons ages 21, 18 and 15. She is passionate about motivating and inspiring others to be the very best they can be. Lorene has a BA in Economics from Acadia University, is a Chartered Insurer with the Chartered Insurance Institute (UK) and is also a qualified Corporate and Personal coach with The Coaching Academy (UK). She is a recent author of the newly released book ‘29 Keys to Unlocking Your Faith at Work & Win
As an Alberta Accredited International School, MSA teaches from an inquiry-based method of learning which engages students in a collaborative and interactive approach to figuring out the desired end result.
This continuous curriculum, from pre-K to senior year, is an essential component of what fosters whole-child development and sense of belonging.
Our high school program prepares students for success in post-secondary education and life as an adult.
The rigorous curriculum offers opportunities to explore subjects in depth in preparation for success in universities, colleges, and the world of work. A strong emphasis is placed on critical thinking and developing the ability to appropriately question established norms while developing and questioning our own positions as well.
THROUGH FAITH AND LEARNING MSA’s approach to learning promotes critical thinking and problem-solving, which is applicable to all aspects of a student’s life.
Living in Bermuda, we often look for fun places to travel. Walt Disney World is a destination parents frequently consider. It’s been called “the happiest place on earth” but, what’s the best age to take your children there?
The first time that I visited a Disney Park was when I was thirteen. So I’ve
always thought the parks were good for older children and teens. When friends invited us to join them on their Disney Vacation, their kids (and ours) were 2 and 4. I thought they were nuts wanting to take toddlers but, they convinced us. We quickly realized it was one of the best destinations we could have chosen for a family vacation!
What made it great? To start, we booked a hotel on the Disney property. That meant from the time we arrived in Orlando’s International Airport we
were taken care of. We didn’t have to rent a car or pick up our luggage. We went straight to our hotel in “Disney’s Magical Express” bus and our bags were delivered to our room a few hours later. Disney provides complimentary resort transportation to and from their theme parks for their guests so you never have to rent a car at all!
Mr. Walter Elias Disney’s vision of an amusement park was to create a place where he could have just as much fun as his children. The Disney Parks deliver! Children and adults of any age can enjoy the parks together. Each has a Baby Care Center, characters to see, rides, shows, shops and restaurants –there’s literally something for everyone. Going to a Disney Park isn’t everyone’s choice of vacation but, if you’re considering vacationing there with your family keep these facts in mind:
• The Disney Park in Orlando, Florida is 40 square miles. Yes, almost double our island! It employs close to 70,000 people. There are 4 parks, 2 water parks, a shopping/ entertainment area, golf courses, sports complex and more. Don’t
expect to do it all. Pick and choose your experiences so you’re not disappointed later.
• Plan your vacation. Pick resort and dining options. Everything must be planned preferably six months in advance. The parks receive close to 140 million visitors a year, so showing up without reservations can leave your family feeling frustrated and waiting in long lines.
• Consider staying on a Disney Property so you can easily take a break during the day. From campsites to luxury accommodation, there is a hotel for every taste and budget.
• Try to visit in less busy times. February and October tend to be quieter. If going in the summer, the last two weeks of August are also less crowded. Avoid Christmas – it’s always busy. Spring break also gets busy but, not as much as Christmas.
• The parks are big. You won’t be able to do everything in one visit. Do your research and decide what attractions you’d like to do based on ages, height and family prefer-
ences. Disney offers a rider switch option. Be sure to use this if you have a child who does not want to go on the ride but another one does. Rider Switch allows an adult to wait with a child unable to ride, and then board the attraction without waiting in line again. The best part is that you can take up to 3 people with the rider switch card so your child who rode can ride again with the other parent.
• Get a FastPass+! Disney lets you reserve access to up to 3 attractions per day per park. It also allows you to add more once those are used. Take advantage of this. It helps your day go smoothly and you spend less time waiting in ride lines.
• Lines are less busy at park opening times. Plan to arrive early. The first 2 hours have the shortest lines. You can plan 2-4 rides for the first 2 hours and get your FastPass+ starting at 11am.
• Plan for about 6-10 attractions a day so you’re not too rushed and have time to sit down for a nice meal, plus time to go back and enjoy your hotel’s amazing pool facilities.
• Disney offers amazing meal options. Be sure to book your dining in advance. There are 300 dining locations, from hot dogs to AAA Five Diamond Award restaurants. Lots of great choices for everyone’s taste!
My children now range in age from 6-13 years old. We have visited the Disney Parks almost every year and they still enjoy visiting favorite attractions and discovering new ones. We also really enjoy spending time at the hotel, in their pools and the afternoon activities they offer.
At Walt Disney World every detail has been thought of. The rides are not just a jungle of steel. The Disney Parks provide the best customer service you’ll ever encounter! Employees are called “Cast Members” and they’re there to make sure you have an amazing time. Happy planning!
1 | Skinny & Co.
If you’re looking for tree to table transparency in a coconut oil, Skinny & Co. is the brand for you. Featuring 100% raw, cold-pressed, unrefined, coconut oil, the small family company takes pride in delivering family safe, chemicalfree products for use from head to toe. Visit Brown & Co. on Front Street to see, smell and taste the difference Skinny & Co. makes.
2 | Little Tikes Lil’ Ocean Explorers 3-In-1
Adventure Course
Dive into adventure with the Little Tikes Lil’ Ocean Explorers
3- in- 1 Adventure Course available at The Annex Toys. Each play station on the course is interchangeable and removable and is designed to stimulate and entertain your baby throughout 3 key developmental milestones: sitting, crawling and standing.
3 | Chicco Echo Stroller
Bright and stylish, the compact Chicco Echo Stroller available at The Annex Toys is a great solution for parents on the move. Combining comfort for the child and functionality for the parent, its padded backrest can fully recline with one hand and adjusted to 4 positions while the leg rest can be adjusted to two. Plus, a stylish canopy with a zip off rear flap helps provide protection from the elements.
4 | Blue Q Socks
Sassy, fun and a bit twisted, the Blue Q socks available at Brown & Co. are perfect gifts for friends who don’t need much more than warm feet and a smile.
5 | rareESSENCE Aromatherapy
So...you can’t buy happiness, but you can buy essential oils from Brown & Co. and that’s kind of the same thing. Pop by to explore rareESSENCE - a fine line of 100% pure essential oils, candles and reed diffusers. The all-natural, artisan made products are safe, synthetic free and responsibly sourced.
6 | Celestron SkyMaster Binoculars
Celestron’s SkyMaster Series of large aperture binoculars are a phenomenal value for high-performance binoculars. Available at P-Tech, these lightweight binoculars are perfect for astronomical viewing or for terrestrial (land) use, especially over long distances. This 20-100x70 zoom option shown feature high-quality BaK-4 prisms and multi-coated optics for enhanced contrast.
Discover and enjoy music more effortlessly than ever before with a Bose SoundTouch from P-Tech. These speakers allow you to wirelessly stream millions of songs via the Internet as well as play from our own music library. Simply download the SoundTouch app and control your music from anywhere in the house with your mobile or tablet.
Now the convenience and health benefits of a reusable menstrual cup are available in a compact, go-anywhere design at The Phoenix Stores. Designed to collect rather than absorb menstrual flow, its medical grade silicone respects your intimate balance and offers up to 10 hours of hassle-free protection. The Lily Cup is a great eco-friendly and economical option for menstrual care.
9 | NSG Pogos
No longer “just a pogo stick”, the NSG Pogos from The Annex Toys combine form for traditional bouncing with new-age function for aspiring Xpogo athletes. Featuring low friction spring technology for quieter, smoother and higher bounce; progressive spring for wider weight range; durable steel springs for hours of fun; welded foot plates for better stability, control and advanced tricks.
10 | Fisher-Price Classic Toys Music Box Ferris Wheel
If you’re looking for a bit of nostalgia, The Annex Toys collection of Fisher-Price classics will take you there. First introduced in 1966, The Fisher-Price Music Box Ferris Wheel continues to delight children and parents with its whimsical music and characters. Wind the knob to watch the Ferris Wheel revolve and listen to the tune, “In the Good Old Summertime”.
11 | Gifts For Him
The folks at Brown & Co. know men are not fussy when it comes to gifts. However, in-store you’ll find loads of small gift ideas guaranteed to put a smile on any gentleman’s face – from lunch tins, to dominos, shaving kits and more.
12 | Natural Life Gifts
Give and live happy with the free spirit and positive vibes of Natural Life items available in the Hallmark Department of Brown & Co.
13 | Cuisinart 15pc Compact Portable Blending/Chopping System
Looking for cool gadgets for your kitchen? Check out the great selection of Cuisinart items available at The Phoenix Centre on Reid Street. Our pick of the season is the 15-piece Compact Portable Blending/Chopping System with three speeds for easily mixing sauces, pureeing soups and crushing ice for frozen drinks. The four convenient travel cups included are BPA free and ideal for breakfast on the go.
14 | Almased
Whether you’ve set a weight goal, are concerned about how you look and feel or simply want that bikini body…like now, Almased is your guide to quick and permanent weight loss. Available at The Phoenix Stores, the soy protein, honey enzyme and yoghurt blend is clinically proven for safe, healthy weight management.
15 | Gone Fishing Set For Two
Give a man a fish, he eats for a day; teach him how to fish, he eats forever. Find the perfect Gone Fishing Set For Two at The Annex Toys today. The compact kit has everything you need, including two rods and reels, line, floats, scissors, hooks and more…in a compact tackle box.
16 | TopCare Allergy Products
Compare, save and enjoy allergy season with relief from TopCare –affordable products as effective as the big brands. TopCare products are available exclusively at The Phoenix Stores.
17 | Fitbit Charge 2
Make every beat count with a Fitbit Charge 2 from P-Tech. The heart rate and fitness wristband is built for all-day use and workouts with a large OLED display to help you stay connected with call, text and calendar alerts, as well as, Reminders to Move and guided breathing sessions. Plus, customisable clock faces and interchangeable bands let you find a look that fits your style.
18 | Amazon Kindle – Paperwhite, Oasis & Kindle Fire
With Amazon Kindle e-readers and tablets, it’s not screen time; it’s book time. Every Kindle reads like a book and goes beyond a book. Choose to go a little further with a Kindle Fire which not only allows access to millions of Kindle e-book and magazine titles, but allows you to watch your favourite movies, enjoy over 400,000 apps and surf the web. Explore Amazon Kindle options at P-Tech today.
ith the complexity of our schedules these days, a mom’s job as family manager can make a day in the life of an air traffic controller look easy. You may sigh wistfully over the illusive, and seemingly luxurious, concept of simplicity. But this old-fashioned practice can breathe new life into your household when you incorporate one or two strategic versions here and there.
To give yourself a taste of what simplicity can look like in a modern family, pick one of the seventeen simplicity starters below to try in your home.
1. Create device-free meal times. Provide a basket or other container for cell phones and other electronics to be deposited before the meal and keep it out of arms’ reach while you eat (and talk). Assure everyone that their devices will be returned once the table is cleared and dishes are washed (by someone other than mom - bonus relaxation for you).
2. Fix homemade meals using simple, whole food ingredients. During farmer’s market season, buy produce fresh from a local source.
3. Find joy in the free stuff around you: beautiful sunsets, afternoon naps, children’s laughter, playing with the family dog. Instead of paying money, pay attention. Keep a journal of what you notice.
4. Shed traditions that don’t fit your family. As children grow, some of the trappings of celebrations and holidays cease to appeal to them. When all the preparation falls to mom, it can be frustrating to receive a lukewarm reaction. Drop the frustration along with the extra work. Instead let your kids tell you what they want the celebration to look like.
5. Embrace the indulgence of wearing that outfit you love every week. Like Mr. Rogers and his cardigans, you could become known for your signature look (in a good way).
6. Consider letting acquaintance friendships fall away to make more time for going deeper in other relationships. It may cause you a little discomfort at first, but the payoff in the long-term will be priceless.
7. Set aside a spot on the calendar for regular one-on-one time with your kids. Even just ten minutes of chatting over an after-school snack can help you both feel reconnected. And don’t forget to
give your spouse regular, uninterrupted attention too.
8. Encourage your kids to go broad in their explorations of their interests and abilities (for simplicity’s sake, have them try only one or two activities at a time). Then challenge them to follow an enthusiasm more deeply once they discover what excites them.
9. Post signs, photos and other memory markers around your house that symbolize or embody your deepest values. Pause occasionally when you see them to reabsorb the message and check your bearings.
10. Develop routines and rituals for the repetitive stuff. Following the same pattern for activities you do regularly, in the form of such things as a morning and bedtime routine, allows your mind to go on autopilot. Each routine you incorporate frees up mental space for all those other concerns you juggle.
11. Celebrate people you know who live out your values. Point out to your children when you see those people putting into action ways you aspire to live.
12. Find your own quiet space each day, even if it’s five minutes spent drinking a cup of tea.
13. Offer the most direct answer to your children’s questions. Keep it simple and let them ask for further explanation if they want it. As parents we can tend toward dumping more information at a time than our children might require.
14. Make time for being outdoors - playing, gardening, or just relaxing. Keep a bin of outdoor toys such as jump ropes, balls and sidewalk chalk handy for outside entertainment. Teach your kids an outside game you enjoyed in childhood and see if it catches on.
15. Whenever you face a problem, seek to simplify it to its root, rather than complicating it unnecessarily. Ask yourself, “what is this really about?”
16. Don’t be afraid to repeat the same meal every week (such as Friday
night pizza night)- it’s the substance of tradition. Just make sure you choose a food everyone in your family won’t mind having over and over.
17. Write a family motto or manifesto that summarizes your core values. See researcher Brene Brown’s Wholehearted Parenting Manifesto for an example at: http://bit.ly/1QW36QI.
What was that? A sigh of contentment? Once you’ve tried a sample of modern simplicity you may find yourself hooked. The only trick will be keeping yourself from complicating life by implementing too many strategies at once.
Lara Krupicka is a freelance writer and mom who employs many strategies to keep her home life simpler (and saner).
n June, 2017, TeamBDA, a team of eleven young Bermudians, will take on some of the best youth sailors in the world in the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup. The competition will take place on Bermuda’s Great Sound and will be raced in AC45s, the same high performance foiling catamarans that the Americas Cup teams have been racing in the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series events.
TeamBDA was formed through a series of gruelling physical and mental tryouts that initially featured more than 120 young Bermudians. That group was slowly whittled down to the eleven teammates that form TeamBDA today. The extreme nature of racing foiling catamarans meant that the team’s original selection committee sought not only Bermuda’s
brightest sailing talent but also its best athletes (whether they knew how to sail or not!).
Bermuda’s entry into the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup was guaranteed when ORACLA TEAM USA, the defenders of the America’s Cup, chose Bermuda as their representative for the regatta. All six America’s Cup teams have youth teams entered along with six other teams from around the world.
TeamBDA is a privately funded entity whose corporate sponsors are: Arch Capital Group, Ascendant Group, BELCO, KPMG, Hamilton Insurance Group and the OIL Group of Companies. A number of local partners also support the team through in-kind products and services that include food, fuel, communications, boat support and other essential aspects of the campaign.
epresenting Bermuda on the world’s stage for 2017 Red Bull Youth America’s Cup is a great source of pride. Just ask the parents of the dedicated sailors who make up TeamBDA, the home team for the June regatta.
These moms and dads play a crucial role behind the scenes, supporting their young people through the ups and downs that come their way as they get ready to compete against some of the world’s best youth sailors. Here are a few of their stories…
grades and other extracurricular activities.
“Commitment and effort from him would not be in question. We did however give him the responsibility of getting approval from his university to have time off for his TeamBDA experience.”
One of the most immediate changes Sherlene Payne saw in her son, Dimitri Stevens after he earned his way onto TeamBDA was with his exercising and eating.
It didn’t take long after joining TeamBDA before Judy Hagen started to see a world of difference in her 20-year-old son, Philip.
“Philip’s focus is more than we have ever seen from him before,” Mrs Hagen explained. “He has had some minor setbacks, but has come back stronger mentally each time.”
The biggest challenge so far for her and husband, Graeme, has been learning to let go of their vision and plan for Philip’s life, while he pursues his own path with TeamBDA.
“I think this process was more difficult for us as we are not sailors and have had no real contact with the sport of sailing, so it really was ‘uncharted waters’ for us,” she said.
“We knew that we could depend on Philip to give TeamBDA his all, as for many years he maintained an 18-hour-a-week swim practice schedule whilst attending school full-time and staying on top of his
Thankfully her son had done everything possible to prepare. In the last term he was able to load up on courses and now has enough credits to be absent for this spring term and still move on in September as a college junior.
He’s done all this while still maintaining his status on the Principal’s list.
“The biggest reward is watching him embracing this experience with everything he has,” Mrs Hagen said. “Most days when he comes home from training he can’t wait to tell us all about the amazing experiences of the day.”
“His eating got healthier which has enhanced his physique and allowed him to clearly gain more muscle,” she said. “He is also more outwardly confident.
“We have watched him work through a shoulder injury, but it has not deterred him in fulfilling his commitment to the team.”
Because her son is eating more protein bars and shakes and drinking more water – it has also encouraged Mrs Payne to be more intentional about what she eats.
Dimitri began sailing at age ten when he was introduced to the sport at Dell-
wood Middle School, through the Waterwise Programme. Since then it has opened up some amazing opportunities to travel the world participating in regattas across North and South America and making lifelong friends.
His mom admits she’s “very proud” of his achievements so far.
“Upon hearing that Bermuda would possibly have a Youth America’s Cup Team, Dimitri placed his education and part-time job on hold to fulfill a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
“Dimitri has achieved one of his biggest goals by being part of this team, and gets to witness the America’s Cup first hand in his home country. We have always supported Dimitri in all of his educational and sporting choices – and this is no exception.”
As parents they say team work and a hands-on approach have been instrumental in raising their son to be all he can be.
“Overall we are very excited for Dimitri and hopeful that TeamBDA will do their best and represent Bermuda well throughout the big event in June - and demonstrate their talent so the whole world can see.”
With three children who love to sail, Paul and Lesley Wollmann have grown quite
used to the competitive sailing environment.
In fact, last year their middle child, Ceci, became the youngest Bermudian sailor to qualify for the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Growing up they tried to encourage their kids to have fun with sport by taking the pressure off to succeed.
“I think one of the major things is when they were younger and asked us for feedback on how they were doing we encouraged them to have fun rather than get competitive,” Mr Wollman said. “Some parents might critique a child’s performance, but we wanted to take the pressure off and get them to have fun. If they enjoy something they will do it well –that’s been our stance.
“Ceci comes up with all the ideas for what she wants to do herself. The only thing we say is you have to do your school
work and at some point graduate from university.”
The 19-year-old has already been accepted into University of Southampton in the UK and is planning to study mathematics there this fall.
Ceci’s involvement in TeamBDA hasn’t been much of an adjustment for her parents. The young sailor had a similar schedule while training in Uruguay for the Olympics, which included mornings in the gym followed by training on the water and another session at the gym in the late afternoon.
Throughout it all she’s diligently managed her training with her school work. She even completed her college level AP exams during her Olympic campaign.
Overall, Mr Wollmann said he is “just excited” to see where the opportunity with the TeamBDA could lead for his daughter.
DAY ONE WILL SEE RACING AT 5PM FOLLOWED BY THE OFFICIAL OPENING CEREMONY FEATURING FIREWORKS AND LIVE LOCAL ENTERTAINMENT - ALL INCLUDED IN THE TICKET PRICE.
Overlooking the racecourse finish line, the America’s Cup Village will be a family friendly site with:
Live entertainment, ‘dock-out’ shows and sailor autograph sessions
Exciting kids zone with an interactive sailing themed agility playground
America’s Cup virtual reality racing simulator
Delicious local food and beverage
AMERICA’S CUP VILLAGE PASSES START AT JUST $10 WITH A FAMILY DAY PASS (2 ADULTS, 2 CHILDREN) FROM JUST $24.
that the team’s original selection committee sought not only Bermuda’s brightest sailing talent but also its best athletes (whether they knew how to sail or not!).
Imagine trying to teach young people how to become Formula One race car drivers – and they don’t yet have their licenses.
That’s how Richard Clarke describes the challenge before him when he signed on as Head Coach for TeamBDA.
When he joined the project in late 2015, his mission was to take a group of aspiring sailors and athletes and turn them into a professional level sailing team that will compete against some of the best from around the world in the 2017 Red Bull Youth America’s Cup.
The team was formed through a series of gruelling physical and mental tryouts that initially featured more than 120 young Bermudians. That group was slowly whittled down to the eleven teammates that form TeamBDA today. The extreme nature of racing foiling catamarans meant
“It’s a unique team because some of them lacked experience with sailing and none of them had ever sailed on the type of boat we are sailing on in the Youth America’s Cup,” he said.
“We have gone through a development process of learning to crawl before we walk, then walk before we jog and jog before we run.
“We had the fantastic luxury of time. If we started today there would be no hope. We started one year ago when we got involved with the sailing development side. We had the money to buy a small fleet of four boats where we could teach the basic skills of sailing those catamarans, and then advanced from there.”
He admits to being amazed at how fast the team has developed.
Whereas the sailors have had to work hard to build their strength,
the athletes (with no previous sailing experience) have had to quickly learn skills necessary to safely and efficiently perform on the water.
One of the highlights for Mr Clarke came after several weeks of sailing when the team members from non-sailing backgrounds had the chance to test out the training boats by themselves for the first time.
“To watch those athletes who had only sailed for six weeks performing well, steering a boat well after never doing it before was a highlight and proved to me we had selected the right group,” he said. “They learned skills I didn’t know they had, that they didn’t even know they had. It was incredibly cool.
“When we showed the sailors the videos afterwards they were all blown away. My reason for being here is to develop talent so it’s always nice to have that confirmation that our development is progressing.”
However, their ability to do well in the June regatta doesn’t just boil down to skill. It’s also about their mental performance.
The team members meet with Sports Psychologist Colin Gunthie, who helps them overcome any personal obstacles or negative self-talk, so they can reach their full potential.
Shaping the overall team dynamic and communication amongst the members has also been a priority.
TeamBDA Skipper MacKenzie Cooper, 22, admits the group had to work hard to develop trust in the early stages of their relationship.
“In a sail boat, you have to have a lot of trust. Working with people who have never sailed before in a boat we have never sailed before was definitely challenging, but when we started to see the trust developing that’s when we could feel the team was coming together.
“We spend every day together and nothing we do is solo at this point. We have to work together for everything –whether it’s in the gym, doing boat work and sailing – it’s 100 percent a team effort.”
He says it’s an honour to be able to lead the team and be a part of history in Bermuda. “This is the first of its kind in
Bermuda and just a huge opportunity for all of us and as a team to compete at the highest international level.”
Mackenzie also acknowledges the incredible support the team is receiving from the community in their bid to do Bermuda proud on the world’s stage. TeamBDA is a privately funded entity whose corporate sponsors are: Arch Capital Group, Ascendant Group, Belco, KPMG, Hamilton Insurance Group and the OIL Group of Companies. A number of local partners also support the team through in-kind products and services.
Mr Clarke said he’s proud of the team’s accomplishments to date, however, maintains that now isn’t the time to “rest on [their] laurels”.
“I will continue to push them, and myself, hard to make them better,” he explained. “But they have come such a massive way just in terms of the change in ideology. In the beginning, we just wanted them to be able to sail safely and respectfully. Now our goal is to make the finals and, if we sail well, a podium finish isn’t out of the question.”
homari Warner never imagined he’d be competing against the world’s top youth sailors in the 2017 Red Bull Youth America’s Cup, because, the 23-year-old went into tryouts for TeamBDA with “zero sailing knowledge whatsoever”.
However, the type of sailing he’s learning requires an elite level of mental and physical performance unlike other versions of the sport.
“It was actually my father who woke me up early one morning and took me to Dockyard for the team tryouts,” Shomari explained. “He saw they were looking for the fittest young people in Bermuda and thought I was fit enough.
“I, on the other hand, had no idea what I was getting myself into.”
Shomari, who comes from a rugby and boxing background, was one of more than 120 young people who initially tried out for Team BDA, Bermuda’s entry into the 2017 Red Bull Youth America’s Cup.
Since making the team, he and his teammates have embarked on an intense physical regime – including long hours in the gym and strict diets – to reach the level of athleticism and professionalism they’ll need to vie for the coveted title.
Personal Trainer Shaun Green, of Beyond Fitness – TeamBDA’s home gym, is
extremely proud of the progress the team has made.
“Both the athletes and sailors have exponentially improved,” Mr Green said.
“One of the best examples I can use to illustrate this is on one lower body day. I was working with the sailors to see if they had improved over six weeks and they went from pushing 90 lbs to 400lbs in that short period.
“To see the change in their own ambition and passion for the gym is incredible.
“A lot of the younger guys and girls would say they 100 percent didn’t want to be in the gym and didn’t like the gym, but they are now the same ones that enjoy it the most and have found a passion for it.”
Laura Cutler, the TeamBDA’s Manager,
is in charge of making sure the young people get the calories they need to match the amount they are burning.
“I make their breakfasts every morning,” she explained. “I have become very conscious of how much sugar they are getting, but by the same token once they leave here they go out on the water, so I need to know they are very well fed. It’s all about balance.”
A typical breakfast for the team includes eggs served in a myriad of ways (fried, scrambled or baked in muffin cups with hash browns), as well as bacon and sausage. Some eat only two
eggs, others eat as many as five. They also load up on fresh fruits, yogurt and cereal in between their morning gym session and a day of sailing.
Mrs Cutler goes through approximately three dozen eggs each day – so it’s a good thing Windy Bank Farm came on board as a sponsor.
“It can feel like having 11 kids,” she said. “I have always been busy, but serving as Team Manager takes it to a new level. I know it’s only for a certain period in terms of the regatta being in June and we just want to make sure we leave no stone unturned and keep the team’s energy, focus and attention levels high.”
TeamBDA member Mustapha
Ingham, 20, says he is now eating more calories than ever before. He typically burns around 3,000 calories during training each day and has to eat five or six meals to compensate for that.
The process has challenged him both mentally and physically.
“I’ve learnt I can push myself way harder than I thought I could and can get outside my comfort zone very easily,” Mustapha said. “I didn’t come from a sailing background. I played football, but I really enjoy sailing now.”
Ask someone outside of the sailing community about foiling and they might stare at you blankly. Sailing fans, however, will tell you it’s an engineering feat that allows sailboats to reach dramatic speeds.
TeamBDA members explain the concept of foiling and what all the excitement is about…
What exactly is foiling?
Emily Nagel, who is studying naval architecture in university: “The way foiling works is you have these things called hydrofoils that work like airplane wings and lift the entire boat out of the water. That’s what makes the speed increase dramatically. You can go from 0 to 30 knots in a matter of seconds!
“The concept behind foiling is to minimise the drag on the boat when you are moving through the water. On a normal sailing boat you have a high level of drag because water is more viscous, or dense, than air - like with swimming, where it’s a lot harder to move through water than it is to run through air.”
How does foiling differ from traditional sailing?
MacKenzie Cooper, TeamBDA’s Skipper: “I have always sailed more traditional monohulls, so this is a new experience, but I think the general consensus is this is the way sailing is moving forward and the next step for all of us. With foiling you are above the water and going much faster so if something happens you go down much quicker and the impact is also much greater - that’s why we wear safety gear like helmets and life vests, with a safety knife attached to it. For me there’s always a little bit of fear with this type of sailing, but once you get over that it’s a lot of fun. I love every second of it.”
What was the experience like the first time?
Peter Dill, TeamBDA’s Boat Captain: “We started training as a team on our foiling catamaran in August. It was a pretty incredible experience. We kind of just took off and we didn’t know what to do initially.
Foiling is new to all of us and has been a huge learning curve, but it’s just amazing how the speed increases and everything gets quiet until the foils start humming.
“The acceleration is really what attracts most people to foiling. I like traditional sailing for different reasons than I like foiling. The speed that everything happens is so much slower. You have a lot of time to think about your next tactical move in traditional sailing, whereas with foiling things happen so much quicker that if you make a mistake there’s a lot more to lose.”
What kind of preparation has it taken to get TeamBDA foiling?
Michael Barnes, TeamBDA’s Foiling Coach: “The first time we practiced, I had four people in the boat with me who looked like ‘deer in headlights’. With foiling, it’s all about confidence – you need that to get to the next level.
“When teaching them about foiling we started off slow, showing them all the basics from rigging it up to getting it on the water and sailing it for the first time. Usually you push and push and something goes wrong and you learn your boundaries. For most of our training I have kept the reins very tight, it was only in the last few months we started loosening the reins so the team would be more equipped to foil the boat around the course.”
You know the scenario: it’s a family beach day and you are rounding up the troops to head out to Cooper’s Island. Into the car go the beach chairs, towels, umbrella, sand bucket, swimsuits, hats, and goodness no, you cannot forget the lunch, snacks or drinks. Finally, after telling them over and over, you get the kids into the car and off to the beach you go! As you are trying to unload the car, the kids are racing down to the water and you haven’t put their sunscreen on yet! Sound familiar? This is how it goes with our outings to the beach. Sunscreen is always thrown on quickly before they dash off, or I’m chasing the kids as they’re catapulting into the water. See… you aren’t the only one. As parents we know the damaging affects that the sun has on us and we want to protect our children.
Our concern as mum’s was one of the many reasons that we created our online sun protection store, Soltrino. We saw a need for stylish sun protection that’s fits all ages and sizes (including bumps) on the island and figured that an online store would work the best with parents. The ease of shopping from your home and delivery to your doorstep sounded much more inviting to us, and probably many of you, too! We know that children and babies are extra sensitive to the sun, and living
in Bermuda this became on of our main priorities, protecting our kids. Because of our backgrounds as an outdoor water aerobics instructor and a scientist we researched a lot! We knew that it had been proven that skin cancer is caused by sun damage. But what shocked us was that children who get five or more sunburns increase their risk of melanoma by 80 percent, as the skin damage is accumulative. Another surprising statistic is that 6.5 percent of pediatric cancers happen in non-Caucasians,
which is a higher percentage than in the adult population. We found out that the statistics in Bermuda are scary, according to Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre, we have a 12% higher rate of skin cancer compared to the United States. There are so many facts and figures about what to do and the best products to use. Along with scare tactics around pros and cons of various sunscreens you can feel quite bamboozled with information overload, so we have put together some quick tips to help you protect your family from the sun while enjoying being on the beach or water this summer. Some guidelines to follow during the summertime are:
• Avoid being outside during the high risk times of day between; 10am and 4pm and refer to the UV index.
• Use UPF (ultraviolet protection factor) clothing, hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen if you are out in the sun.
• Apply sunscreen correctly. Apply it 20 minutes before going outside, 20 minutes after the first application and every 2 hours after. So you get the SPF protection on the bottle you need to apply a shot glass of sunscreen to cover an average person each time. That means an average bottle of 200ml would only last for 10-11 applications!
• Get a highly rated UVA protection sunscreen.
• Tint windows of cars to protect from UVA damage all year round.
• Ensure infants under six months don’t have direct sun exposure as the use of sunscreen for them is not recommended by pediatricians, so if they are outside use clothing or stay in the shade.
We love UPF apparel It’s so easy to just throw on a swim dress and hat without worrying about slapping on sunscreen every two hours if you are chasing toddlers down the beach. As we sell UPF clothing and swimwear for the entire family starting from 3 months old up to 3X we have choices for everyone, as well as a huge range of hats just make sure to pick one out that gives you good full-face coverage! However, those exposed parts of the body shouldn’t be forgotten! Our selection of sunscreens are carefully chosen brands like Ambre Solaire, Reimann, Sunsense, and Ultrasun, just to name a few.
As mums we feel a good way to educate your kids on sun safe living is to practice what you preach, and protect the skin in your in!
If you want the more in depth information check out our blogs on our site www.soltrino.bm or follow us on facebook.
“We encourage our families to exercise together. The children and adults have separate classes at first, and then they really bond and learn so much when they connect in the family classes.” — Sophia
Cannonier
Working out doesn’t have to mean running laps or lifting weights. Ms. Cannonier has taken fitness to fun new heights with Aerial Arts classes. The former professional ballerina is the Director and founder of the Bermuda Integrative Health Co-Operative Ltd and the Lotus Mind Body Spirit Wellness Centre. With over 30 plus years of certified teaching and movement experience, Ms. Cannonier has been serving the Bermuda community for over 18 years. She encourages people of all fitness levels and abilities to come and try a class. Ms. Cannonier describes the classes as “Play with an emphasis on awareness. The classes are fun with a strong emphasis on technique. The Aerial Arts classes at Lotus make you feel like a kid again.”
“Aerial is anything off the floor and in the air! It could mean 2 feet or 10 feet. Classes include Lyra, Silks, Hammocks and Pole Fitness. At Lotus, we meticulously integrate the Pilates’ technique and Yoga. Aerial is mind body work. When your mind and body are aligned and organized, you can do anything – including learning to fly!”
Are the Aerial Arts for Women only?
“Women appreciate the Aerial Arts and find them incredible for strength, flexibility and stamina training. At Lotus we have mother and daughters in Pole Fitness classes, fathers and their sons attending Aerial Silks classes and siblings training together in our Aerial Arts Camps.”
Can a family use the classes to work-out together?
“Absolutely. Exercise is great family bonding time. I suggest children start with the Lotus Buds Aerial classes on weekday afternoons and/or attend an Aerial Arts Camp during the school breaks. They’ll learn all the conditioning, listening skills, trust, safety – all the basics. Then they can join their parents and participate in a class on Saturday or Sunday – Open Aerial Time. Once families are committed to a series of lessons, the Open Aerial class is free. This isn’t a taught class, its practice time with certified teachers available to monitor and give advice.”
Why do you feel fitness is important, and why is it important for families to exercise together?
“Children watch and learn both good and bad habits from their parents. We’re their first teachers and have the responsibility to show them the way. If we don’t have time to be their physical and emotional mentors then we must seek out the next best options. Fitness is important because everyone has the potential to have a wise mind-body connection. Whatever your preferred mode of fitness is - walking, running, yoga, Pilates, Cross-fit, Pole dance, Aerial Silks, Lyra or weightlifting, there needs to be a vital element of awareness of alignment, and the mind-body connection. Otherwise you’re day-dreaming and moving blood around your body.”
For further information contact: Lotus, 46 Victoria Street, Hamilton. Tel: 296-5900 or visit www.lotusbermuda.com. Facebook: Lotus Bermuda. Instagram: Lotus Bermuda.
Aerial is anything off the floor and in the air! It could mean 2 feet or 10 feet.
It seems that parents nowa-days, especially Mothers, feel a certain pressure not just to keep up with what other families are doing but compete with what other Mom’s are doing for and with their families. We are constantly pushing ourselves to do as much as we can to make sure that are children are nurtured and nourished in every way possible. We want to give our kids the best and be the best for our children to learn from. What we often forget to do is make sure that we are nurtured and nourished also. We sometimes neglect our bodies instead of eating healthful and nutritious foods to fuel our bodies for optimal energy, and nurturing ourselves on a physical, emotional and spiritual level.
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As a Mom of 2, I know what it is like to feel s-t-r-e-t-c-h-e-d thin. There are work obligations, social functions (for kids and ourselves), extracurricular activities, school homework to do with the kids, dinner to make, pets to take
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care of, house to clean, never ending laundry, and the list goes on.
I feel exhausted just writing that.
We can also add a great deal of pressure on ourselves to make sure that we are doing it all and doing it perfectly. Social media adds to the illusion that other parents are doing more than we are and doing it flawlessly. Let me let you in on a little secret….we are ALL doing the best we can and expecting more from ourselves and it is NOT perfect.
As a Health & Wellness Coach, I am compelled to work with Mom’s, just like me, who some days feel like they are just keeping their heads above water and that their bodies and minds are weary. Who feel that there is much to do, too much to keep on top of and like they are constantly racing the clock. Our brains feel so full and our bodies
feel so tired. We might as well be robots some days.
My biggest piece of advice is to ‘Ask and Accept’. ASK for help when you need it, and ACCEPT help when it is offered. Support is beneficial to our wellbeing and the well-being of our families. We all know the old saying “It takes a village to raise a child”. Somewhere along the way that changed and it can feel like we are all alone in raising our kids and not getting the right support we need from our partners, outside family members and/or friends. Most of the time it is because we are afraid to ask for help. Somehow it would make us seem weak, or insufficient as a parent. This is not true. One of my mentors once said “We CAN do it all, we CAN’T do it all alone.” This statement resonated with me on such a deep core level. I knew that it was true.
My mission is to assist parents in their physical health and overall wellbeing so that they can be the very best versions of themselves for themselves and their families. When we are happy and energized then our families benefit tenfold. They get a better version of us and better role models to look up to. I help parents take control of their health by:
• Uncovering what’s been stopping you, slowing you down or keeping you from getting the body and energy level you desire
• Developing a powerful vision for what your ideal body and increased energy level looks like
• Discovering which foods and lifestyle habits are sapping your energy and what to do about
• Providing you with the right method, strong accountability and nurturing support to achieve inevitable success towards your health & wellness goals.
Health &
Coach Meraki Health Coach
he XL Catlin End-to-End is one of Bermuda’s most popular and longstanding fundraising initiatives, with 2017 marking its 30th anniversary of generating donations for a wide range of local charities. As a non-competitive event, it serves as a perfect opportunity for not just individual adult participants, but children, families, schools and corporate teams who want to have a fun time taking part in something meaningful. Attracting over 3,000 participants, it remains a large, multi-faceted affair that offers options for all ages and fitness levels, and has even attracted sponsorship from the America’s Cup this year. We decided to find out more about how the End-to-End appeals to families, children and groups in general.
“One great thing about the corporate community in Bermuda is that, as a whole, it does a lot for the island and works hard to give back either through time or money,” says End-to-End board member Chase Toogood. “They are hugely important, and financially, either through sponsorship or fundraising, are critical to the XL Catlin End-toEnd.” Noting that this year they expect to register dozens of business-affiliated teams encompassing hundreds of participants, he adds that the number of options available (participants can walk, row, swim, paddle or bike) encourages larger numbers overall. “Once we open the flood gates, the corporate community really gets excited.”
“The XL Catlin End-to-End team visits the schools and speaks
directly to the children and teachers in their morning assembly,” explains Endto-End Health Coordinator Alexandra Wilberz on how event organizers convince local students and teachers to get involved. “We are giving a bit of history of the event, as well as about how much the community of BDA has benefited over the years from the raised funds.” The school that signs up the most participants gets a $1,500 prize, offering a great incentive for more children to get involved. Wilberz also notes that regarding the event, teachers are in a prime position to show their students how to act as positive role models for the peers, as well as to widen their outlooks regarding issues affecting the wider Bermuda community.
As part of the 30th anniversary celebrations, America’s Cup Bermuda is pleased to be involved with the XL Catlin End-to-End in an official capacity this year. “America’s Cup is the sponsor of the Family Fun Walk from Somerset and we’re hosting a water stop with entertainment for all the family,” says Vicki Abraham of the ACBDA. “It’s a surprise as we’re competing to be the best water stop on route, and we have some fun activities up our sleeve.” Starting on Beacon Hill Road, the Family Fun walk offers an ideal opportunity for people of all ages who want to join the event to get involved, but over a shorter distance. Abraham adds that due to the sheer number of kids currently taking part in the Endeavour Program, she expects that lots of them will be taking part in the XL Catlin End-to-End. “We are just excited about taking part in something that does so much good for Bermuda, and for everyone taking part!”
“The XL Catlin End-to-End is always an important event on XL Catlin’s and Bermuda’s calendar but this year is extra special in that it marks the 30th anniversary of this extraordinary effort as well as our 10th year as title sponsors,” says Patrick Tannock who chairs XL Catlin’s Bermuda-based philanthropic unit, the XL Foundation. “We are extremely proud to continue to support the largest and most inclusive annual charitable fundraising event in Bermuda. We believe that this worthy endeavor, which brings together people in Bermuda from all walks of life for the common good, epitomizes our company’s philosophy of embracing diversity and making a difference in our community.
“We view our sponsorship of this event and the 2017 America’s Cup as completely complementary and look forward to our colleagues’ and everyone’s involvement.”
To learn more about the XL Catlin End-toEnd and how to get you and your family involved, visit their website at www.bermudaendtoend.bm.
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BY NADIA LAWS
ndrew Bascome shocked the island, when at an ordinary press conference late last year for youth football organization, ABC Football Foundation, he announced he had been a victim of molestation.
“I didn’t plan on sharing that with all those cameras pointing at me,” Andrew said, “but talking about my experiences as a young boy and the importance of football in my life I had to bring it up.
“It was weighing on me – and what was eating at me even more was knowing my perpetrator was still out there interacting with young boys.”
Considering his position as a football coach, Andrew felt it his responsibility to finally bring to light the abuse he suffered between ages 11 and 16. He hopes the move will open parents’ eyes to the risks and concerns out there for children and young people; it has also led to greater healing in his own life.
“I had kept silent for too long and it was impacting my relationships with my wife and my family,” Andrew said. “My tolerance was low and I wasn’t interacting with my children the way I wanted to. Just this year was the first time I sat and actually played games with my kids.
“I’ve always been around as a dad, but for a long time I was afraid to embrace the moment and allow myself to have fun. Even playing with my kids I felt I didn’t deserve that happiness – and a lot of that stems from the pain from my past.”
He admits to feeling freer now that he’s no longer carrying the weight of that shame alone.
Andrew had a rough childhood.
Placed in a children’s home around age six, he was regularly bullied by kids at school. Growing up he often felt “unwanted” and “unappreciated” - football would later become an outlet to show the world what he was made of.
David, a former US professional soccer player, Andrew’s younger brother, stood by his side during the December press conference.
David was also a ward of the Sunshine League as a young child, and became the victim of sexual abuse during his formative years. That led him down a path of delinquency and
under achievement – until a love of sports too, became his saving grace.
David publicly announced his abuse fifteen years ago as part of his healing process. His company Bascome Enterprises, is aligned with the Blue Ribbon Project, a Marylandbased organisation focused on assisting victims of child abuse. He now uses his journey as a tool for helping others.
David has stepped up to ensure his Power of One programme, currently in place internationally and in local Middle School TN Tatem, is used to enhance ABC Football Foundation’s primary school programme. Based around four levels of success, Power of One helps young people to develop self-esteem, empowerment, tools for success and teaches them how to engage those tools.
David admitted to being “overwhelmed” with the amount of community support that poured in after last year’s courageous announcement in the media.
“When we are dealing with this country, and the people in it, I’ve always known I’ve been supported, even from when I left Bermuda to go play professional football,” David explained. “With everything coming to light about the sexual abuse, I’m overwhelmed, proud and excited with the backing we’ve got.
“This has opened up a lot of wounds that are ready to be healed. I’ve received a lot of messages from people young and old on how this has given them a chance to open up and talk to their parents or loved ones about what they went through. It’s a conversation that long should have been had, so what this has done is empowered them.”
He wants their stories to be part of an “educational process” rather than a “gossip column”.
In his younger years, David said he blamed himself a lot for the abuse. Football started the healing process by giving him a positive outlet to express himself.
“People never knew why I wanted to win a championship so badly growing up,” he said. “The championship was my celebration of every sacrifice and trial I had been through.
“I won my first one in 2002/ 2003 with the Baltimore Blast. I remember sitting in the centre of the field for 20 minutes and just crying. People thought it was just because
I loved the game that much, but it was really because of all that I had endured and overcome. They never knew.”
Through ABC Football Foundation, Andrew is committed to providing a safe space for young people to enjoy sports, develop confidence and learn teamwork. All their coaches undergo background checks before they can start working with kids.
He wants young people to leave the foundation with “respect, humility and as a better people”.
“It’s about getting kids together interacting and socialising and where they can be competitive,” the founder said. “I think a lot of times people are always looking for the next superstar athlete and that’s why so many other people get lost along the way. I say let the kids determine what they want to be in their life, but we provide a safe and secure place for them to do that.”
Both men are working to ensure the next generation of Bermudian children have the tools they need for success –both on and off the field.
According to Andrew, another generation of children shouldn’t have to endure what he did.
“That’s why I’m working harder than ever now to make sure children my grandson’s age have it better than we did.”
1. Contact SCARS (Saving Children and Revealing Secrets) training@scars.bm and enroll in one of their monthly training sessions to be able to minimize opportunity, recognize the signs and react responsibly to protect children in your care.
2. Don’t just drop them off. Spend time at the field/venue, scanning the environment and watching what’s going on. Make sure the activity area is secure and well lit.
3. Make sure your children have a trusted ride home. Predators could target children whom they know walk home by themselves or whose parents aren’t regularly around, so try to be present.
4. Get to know the coaches and do your own background checks by asking around. Find out about anyone who hangs around the field often.
5. Talk to your kids and be open about sensitive topics so they know they can come to you for guidance and protection should anything happen to them.
I AM SPECIAL I AM WORTHY I HAVE PURPOSE
“Sexual abuse has a deleterious impact on a child’s sense of self. SCARS have provided us with a guide to facilitate conversations about self-worth and sexual abuse. Such discussions are paramount in promoting awareness and prevention of child sexual abuse.”
—Dr. Tina J. Arorash, Ph.D. Registered Bermuda Psychologists parents and caregivers it’s important for us to help our children feel save and protected. In this three part series, we share conversation suggestions compiled by SCARS for parents and caregivers. Some topics may be difficult but, they are necessary. As adults, it’s our responsibility to protect our children and prevent child sexual abuse.
At this age, it’s important for children to know they are valued and loved. This builds a child’s self-esteem and confidence, and reinforces the knowledge that they are special. Below are discussion suggestions for children in this age group. Children need to know that as parents and caregivers we are listening, and that we value what they say.
Discussion questions:
1. Do you know you are special?
2. What is love; who loves you, do you feel loved?
3. Do you know your body is private and belongs to you?
4. Your body parts have proper names. Discuss these with your child. Avoid pet names for private parts. Teach children the proper names - mouth, breasts, vagina, penis, buttocks.
5. Your private parts are private and so are other peoples.
6. Respect other people’s bodies. Do you understand what this means?
“Parenting will never be an exact science as we have to consider each child’s individual needs. However, one thing that every parent/guardian must do is keep the lines of communication open with their children. Some of the conversations will be difficult, but necessary. I welcome this SCARS Empowerment Guide as a parent resource.”
—LeeAnn Simmons, Education Officer Counselling, Bermuda Department of Education7. You shouldn’t feel forced to give affection and you shouldn’t force other people to give you affection.
8. You can say ‘No’ when someone you know and love makes you feel uncomfortable, even an adult. NO means NO! It’s important to tell someone about any confusing feelings you have.
9. Respect when others say NO. NO means NO! Does this make sense to you?
10. Listen to your ‘uh oh feelings’. Pay attention to butterflies in your stomach.
11. Explain the difference to your child between a surprise and a secret. Give examples such as: surprises make everyone happy (surprise parties, birthday presents, a special outing, crafts made at school). Secrets can be hurtful, scary, cause sadness or anger. (Being bribed, threatened, told not to tell, and/or being coerced into not telling). Tell someone you trust when a secret or surprise makes you uncomfortable.
12. Finding your voice and “using your words” to be safe. Practice “using your words” and what this means.
13. Explain healthy ways to cope with sad, angry and scared feelings.
14. Cyber Safety – Visit www.cybertips. bm and discuss how to stay safe when on-line.
Suggested questions to ask your child after they attend events or sleep-overs:
1. Did you enjoy yourself?
2. How did you spend your time?
3. What was your favorite part of the party or sleepover?
4. What was the least favorite part?
5. Did you feel safe?
6. If applicable - you seem sad today, is there anything you want to share?
7. Always ask if there is anything else your child would like to share and create a safe environment for them to speak openly with you.
If your child discloses they were abused it’s important to remain calm. Reinforce the following:
1. I believe you.
2. What happened wasn’t your fault and it shouldn’t have happened.
3. Thank you for telling me.
4. I will keep you safe (this is a priority for parents/guardians).
5. I love you and am here for you.
6. I will help you and support you.
7. What happened to you is against the law. Laws are like rules, only more serious. There are consequences when people break rules.
8. We can talk about this as much or as little as you like.
9. I’m sorry that I couldn’t protect you. I love you and we will get through this together.
Since 1998 Bermuda’s premier faith-based early learners’ program “where happy children learn for a brighter future”.
We care about every aspect of your child’s school day within a safe social environment. Happy Moments Nursery & Preschool is keen on providing our students with lots of fun-filled explorative learning experiences. We believe in our students, assist in fulfilling each parent’s dream for their child and inspire each child in reaching their fullest potential.
Curriculum encourages academic excellence, creative teaching methods for each child’s unique learning style. We offer Spanish, computer, music & EYP with BNG, BUEI and more. Teachers certified in ECE, CPR, First Aid and SCARS.
I always had big plans for that money. Sometimes, I would save up my pocket money for months so I could afford to buy an outfit for my Barbie doll or get a new “must have” hair clip that my nextdoor neighbor always seemed to have.
In our house there were chore ground rules; complete your chores in a timely manner and complete your chores properly. Once my parents inspected and were pleased with my chores, then I would receive my allowance.
Igrew up in a middle class family and from a very young age my parents instilled the value of earning a dollar. We were given chores and if we completed these chores without moaning and groaning and not being asked ten times to do them then we received an allowance. We did not have one chore but multiple chores throughout the week. If you are from my generation you might remember having to wash and dry the dishes, weed the garden, or wash the car in order to collect your pocket money (allowance).
I remember keeping my pocket money in my Holly Hobbie purse and
I am a firm believer in delegating chores and paying an allowance (pocket money) should your child complete these chores well and in a timely manner. You are not a bad parent if you make your
child do chores, in fact you are a great parent teaching your child responsibility and other life skills at an early age.
As I got older I was assigned more chores to complete. When I was about ten years old, my chore list increased and I would now be responsible for hanging the laundry on the clothesline on Saturday and taking the clothes off the line when the cloths were dry. One Saturday, I hung the laundry on the line, however, my mother warned me the forecast was for rain in the afternoon so I might want to keep an eye on the weather. I didn’t listen and went off on my Saturday bike ride. While I was off riding my bike in the afternoon I felt a drop of rain hit my face and when I rushed home my mother was racing to take the last of the clothes off the line and she had a “Told you so” look on her face. So did I get paid my allowance? No, of course not, I didn’t complete the task in a timely manner and I didn’t complete the job well. I learned then that it wasn’t just about completing the chores but completing the chores properly was just as important in order to receive my allowance. This is a life lesson that I continue to apply to my current job.
Doing chores and receiving an allowance (pocket money) taught me several life skills. It taught me about responsibilities, it taught me that it is important not only to complete a job but to complete it properly. It also taught me the value of a dollar, and it taught me how to save and budget. All these skills that I learned at an early age from doing chores and receiving an allowance have made me the person that I am today.
For the child it may be about the pocket money, for the parent it might be about the chore but ultimately it should be more about the lesson your child learns from doing the chores and receiving payment. It is these lessons that your child will apply to life as they grow and begin a career.
Carla Seely is the Vice President of Pension and Investments at Freisenbruch-Meyer, if you would like any further details please contact cseely@fmgroup.bm or call 441 297 8686.
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Our Personal Retirement Plan can conveniently allow you to manage and transfer all of your accumulated retirement savings into one place.
To make an appointment for more informationplease contact Carla Seely, Vice President, Pensions and Investments at 297-8686 or cseely@fmgroup.bm
fmgroup.bm
The ocean beckons! It is hard to imagine that within our islands of Bermuda there are many who are unfamiliar with our surrounding waters. This disengagement with our environment can be the result of technological “progress” as well as complex socioeconomic factors.
This summer, Bermuda Sloop Foundation is offering opportunities for Bermuda’s youth to connect with our unique environment aboard a national icon, the Spirit of Bermuda. This well-recognized, award-winning vessel represents Bermuda’s rich maritime history. The programme challenges all who board to fully engage, and become part of an adventure. All expeditionary experiences develop positive character attributes and life skills whilst gaining knowledge and appreciation of our natural surroundings.
Bermuda will be sharing in this historic Tall Ships event after the closing of America’s Cup. She will sail north to Nova Scotia and join an international fleet of Tall Ships for the Sail Training International’s RV 2017, in celebration of Canada’s 150th confederation anniversary! The Spirit of Bermuda will be part of historic events that include a fleet of approximately 40 Tall Ships. Spirit’s crew will participate in coastal out port festivals with the Tall Ships fleet sailing from Halifax to Louisburg, then to Lunenburg. Each stop presents opportunities for local exploration. Those aboard Spirit will be representing ship and country. There are three legs to this expedition. You participate in one or more of the legs.
In August 2017, we are offering another coastal voyage for boys aged 14+ that is similar to the voyage in early July. The tentative date is August 28Sept 1st.
JULY 10 – 14
Halifax Tall Ships Voyages
JULY 20 – AUG 20
Aug 28 –Sept 1
Student Bursary funding may be available upon application. Ages range from 14+ dependant on voyage
For more information about summer opportunities on Board Spirit Of Bermuda, contact: Call 737-5667 | info@bermudasloop.org Visit www.bermudasloop.org
July 10-14th a girls’ coastal expedition is available, which will provide greater challenges and leadership opportunities beyond the middle school voyage. This expedition will include an island circumnavigation. Duke of Edinburg students can participate as the “adventurous journey” component of their qualification. Other youth may apply to be part of this exciting coastal voyage.
July 20th - August 20th, the Bermuda Sloop Foundation will be participating in the Tall Ships Rendez-Vous 2017. The Spirit of
Take advantage of the window of opportunity in the life of your growing young person! Immerse him/her in a meaningful experience that is fun and facilitates positive development. A voyage aboard Spirit of Bermuda can be transformational. Do not hesitate! Bursaries are available to those who qualify. Register at https://www. tfaforms.com/454624 for the overseas voyages and at https://www.tfaforms. com/409884 for local voyages. Contact the Bermuda Sloop Foundation at 737-5667. Email: education.manager@ bermudasloop.org.
runs a five-week boarding summer session for students ages 10-16 who are average to superior in cognitive ability and have been identified with specific language based learning (dis)abilities and/or Attention Deficit Disorder.
SUMMER SESSION
June 26-July 28, 2017
should be comfortable.
If you are experiencing discomfort or you have concerns about , contact us. We’ve been mothers for almost three decades.
Email islandgirl@northrock.bm or check us out on Facebook at La Leche League of Bermuda.
to one of the flowers in my garden. My Camry is a beautiful 11, and wonderfully made by the hands of The Lord. I’m constantly pulling weeds and trying to teach her in The Way she should go. And so far, her blooms are not perfect, but they are luscious to behold, by the grace of God. Thanking Jesus for another year of watching her grow...
The Department of Parks is informing the general public that as of the 1st November 2012, the 1988 Bermuda National Park Regulations have changed regarding dogs and horses on the public beaches, under the jurisdiction of the 1986 Bermuda National Parks Act.
Dogs are permitted to be on the public beaches until the 31st March 2013.
The Regulations and Policies regarding Dogs in Protected Areas are as follows:
• From April 1st to October 31st dogs are NOT PERMITTED to be on any of the public beaches.
• Dogs can be walked either on the trails, in parks or on the dunes, in South Shore Park at anytime.
• Please carry and use the DOGIPOT litter pick-up bags as you travel in the designated areas at all times.
The Regulations and Policies regarding Horses in Protected Areas are as follows:
The dogs must be on a leash at all times.
During this period until the 30th April 2013 horses are NOT permitted on the following beaches at any time:
• Dogs must be on a leash at ALL times.
1. (1) Subject to paragraph (2), no person shall, in any protected area
• Dogs are NOT PERMITTED in the Main Show Ring in Botanical Gardens.
(a) take a horse other than on designated roadways or trails;
1. John Smith’s Bay Park
2. Elbow Beach Park
• 1st November to 30th April in any year no person shall take or ride a horse on Horseshoe Bay beach in the South Shore Park or on the beaches in John Smith’s Bay Park and Elbow Beach Park but may take or ride a horse on all other public beaches below the high water mark at any time;
3. Horseshoe Bay Beach ( South Shore Park )
• Members of the general public are reminded that Botanical Gardens is closed to the public at sundown each day.
(b) ride a horse in a manner likely to cause danger to any person therein;
(c) ride a horse at a speed greater than fifteen kilometers per hour;
• For safety and health reasons dogs are NOT ALLOWED on National Park playgrounds.
• From 1 May until 31 October horses are NOT PERMITTED to be on any beach in South Shore Park (inclusive of the following beaches: (Port Royal Cove ) Horseshoe Bay, Peel Bay, Butt’s Beach, Wafer Rocks Beach, Chaplin Bay, Stonehole Bay, Jobson’s Cove and Warwick Long Bay) John Smith’s Bay, Elbow Beach and Shelly Bay.
The cooperation of dog kennel operators, and the owners of dogs, in abiding by the regulations, is greatly appreciated.
• From 1 May until 31 October owners and handlers of horses may take or ride the horses on all other public beaches with the following restrictions: owners and handlers can ONLY take or ride the horses below the high water mark between the hours or 5:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m.
6. No person shall, being the owner of,or in control of, a dog –
(a) subject to paragraph (b), bring such dog unleashed on to any protected area; or
(b) bring such dog on to any public beach in a protected area during the period from the 1st April to the 31st October in any year; or
• The cooperation of stable owners, as well as horse owners and handlers, in abiding by the 1988 Bermuda National Parks Regulations and 1986 Bermuda National Parks Act, is greatly appreciated.
(d) being in control of a horse leave the horse unattended when it is not properly tied to some suitable object, other than tree or shrub;
Patrons must be mindful of the rules and regulations outlined for recreational open fires as mandated by the Bermuda National Parks Act 1986 and The Bermuda National Parks Regulations 1988. See www.bermudalaws.bm.
(e) lead from horse-back a riderless horse which is not appropriately bridled;
(f) lunge or break in any horse;
(g) ride a horse in excess of a slow walk when passing in the vicinity of other members of the public using the area.
(c) subject to paragraph (b), bring such dog on to any protected area using a leash greater than three meters in length, or
• All bonfires require a special permit which must be obtained from the Department of Parks’ Office.
(d) cause, permit or suffer such dog to annoy or disturb any person in any protected area.
NOTE: From January 1st to December 31st Horses and Dogs are not allowed within any Nature Reserve.
In exercise of the powers conferred upon the Minister by section 25 of the Bermuda National parks Act 1986, the following regulations are hereby made: -
Amendment of BR 49/1988
• Upon obtaining a special permit, patrons will receive all the necessary information on proper bonfire conduct within our national parks.
Also by signs and notice: No dogs in the Main Show Ring at Botanical Gardens and no dogs in Coopers Island Nature Reserve.
5 (2) During the period –
If you have any questions regarding the information above, please contact the Department of Parks at 236-5902 or e-mail parksdept@gov.bm
(a) 1st November to 30th April in any year no person shall take or ride a horse on Horseshoe Bay, John Smith’s Bay and Elbow Beach but may take or ride a horse all other public beaches below the high water mark any time;
(b) 1st May to 31st October in any year no person shall take or ride a horse on Horseshoe Bay, Johns Smith’s Bay, Elbow Beach and Shelly Bay but may take or ride
