Cloud Carib, the Caribbean’s leading provider of cloud and managed IT services, continued its longstanding support of the Bahamas Engineering and Technology Advancement (BETA) Camp as the annual youth STEM programme returned to Freeport this summer.
Held from July 27 to August 1 at Sunland Baptist Academy, BETA Camp gave young Bahamians an immersive opportunity to explore science, technology, engineering and mathematics through practical instruction, teamwork and project-based learning.
This year’s Design Project Challenge, “Industrial Futures: Engineering Resilient and Sustainable Industries in Grand Bahama,” invited students to develop solutions to barriers affecting the island’s industrial growth. Their proposals were evaluated for their potential to advance sustainability, resilience, and positive economic impact in Grand Bahama.
Cloud Carib Director of Marketing and Grand Bahamian Olivia Dorsett served on the judging panel, offering feedback and encouragement as students presented their ideas.
The competition concluded with Trash Talkers earning first place for their innovative approach to automating waste management and recycling. The winning team included Kaiden Pinder, Avery Rolle, Lameko Simmons Jr., Maia Thompson and Sariah Rolle. Flood to Fresh, represented by Kadence Bootle, Symone Martin and Lael Martin, was named first runner-up.
“Grand Bahama has always been required to be a resilient island. Looking for new innovators and problem-solvers is especially meaningful when we see young people apply STEM thinking to the future of their own community,” said Dorsett. “Their ideas reflected creativity, confidence and a real effort to look at challenges as opportunities in their own backyard. Cloud Carib is proud to continue supporting BETA Camp and helping more young Bahamians see themselves as the engineers, technologists and leaders who will shape our future.”
“We are grateful for the opportunity to work alongside companies such as Cloud Carib that prioritize investment in the next generation of engineers through the Bahamas Engineering and Technology Advancement summer program, BETA Camp,” said Trenicka Dukes, Director, President and Co-Founder of BETA.
Cloud Carib’s relationship with BETA Camp dates back almost a decade. It has included financial sponsorship, employee participation as instructors and judges, laptops and prizes, and scholarships that helped Family Island students attend the program. In 2019, the company funded admission and travel for students from Grand Bahama, Andros, and Mayaguana. Cloud Carib later supported BETA Camp’s virtual programming during the COVID-19 pandemic and hosted the BETA-led F.L.I.G.H.T. Camp for girls at its Centre of Excellence in 2022.
The company’s support for BETA Camp forms part of Beyond the Cloud, Cloud Carib’s broader commitment to youth development, STEM education and digital inclusion. Through these partnerships, Cloud Carib aims to help build a stronger pipeline of homegrown technical talent equipped to address local and regional challenges.
“The Caribbean’s digital future will ultimately be shaped by its people,” said Stelios Xeroudakis, CTO & Co-founder of Cloud Carib. “Investing in young people today gives our region a deeper pool of engineers, innovators and ethical technology leaders tomorrow.”
Cloud Carib congratulates the BETA Camp organizers, instructors, volunteers, and participating students on another successful program and looks forward to continuing its support.
