Topic: Greg Smith

The following is the first in a two-part series about the development of the YMCA of the Cayman Islands over the past six years,...

YMCA participants gathered at St. Ignatius Catholic School over the weekend for the 4th annual YMCA Leaders for Youth conference to learn from each other and to grow as leaders in the community.

The tower in front of him stood 53 feet tall, but for Deputy Governor Franz Manderson, it may as well have been twice that high. Mr. Manderson faced his fear of heights Wednesday, when he was the first person to take a run at the ropes challenge course designed for the YMCA of the Cayman Islands.

A new YMCA ropes course, planned for completion early next year, began teaching team-building and problem-solving skills ahead of schedule this weekend.

Five years since its creation, the Cayman Islands YMCA finds itself ingrained in the local community. More than 30 percent of school-age children are involved in at least one of the YMCA’s programs, and the next five years could see a rapid expansion of the activities available to the public.

Phil Jackson, organizer of the 1000 Man March, hands a $500 donation to the YMCA’s CEO Greg Smith, center right, as Y campers look on.

The Young Men’s Christian Association hosted founding donors for an evening of recognition and celebration on May 25.

The YMCA is hosting two days of training for more than 100 staff, volunteers and community partners to support the work they do with Cayman’s youth. The second annual Leaders for Youth Conference is scheduled for Friday and Saturday with the theme “Bridge of Hope.”