2002 Exchange

THE FREEPORT NEWS, TUESDAY 7 MAY 2002 — Ten students and two teachers from “The Harbour for Boys and Girls” in New York, arrived in Freeport Easter Sunday aboard the US Air flight from La Guardia Airport, for a fun, and education packed week with their Freeport counterparts, all students at Jack Hayward High School.

The students, ranging in age from twelve to fourteen, were met by Frances Singer Hayward who, along with Sir Jack, began the exchange seven years ago - and Maquella Smith – the coordinator of the programme, as well as their “hosts” for the week – parents and children of similar ages attending JHHS – with whom they would be staying.

The bonding was instantaneous. By the time hamburgers and French fries were consumed at Wendy’s where everyone re grouped after arriving, it was as if everyone had known each other for years and years, as each child left with the assigned families for Easter lunch.

Under sunny skies, the students participated in all manner of activities – ranging from the Dolphin Experience, nature walks, snorkeling, kayaking through the mangrove swamps, visits to the Bahamas National Park, Garden of the Groves as well as The Bahamas National Trust Nature Center. There were picnics on the beach, visits to Port Lucaya, as well as the shark feeding out at Pier One Restaurant. Keith Barr, Senior Master at Jack Hayward High School accompanied the students as well as the teachers from New York.

It was a wonderful and exciting time for all – both the New York students and the Jack Hayward High School students – most of whom had never had the opportunity to participate in many of the activities - and the week ended with everyone having a much keener understanding of the wondrous ecology of Grand Bahama Island – as well as wonderful new friends having been made.

The Harbour (formally Boys Harbour) is a multi faceted educational and social service agency encompassing a school (The Harbour Academy) a summer camp in East Hampton, and many social service programmes. It was founded in 1937 by Anthony Drexel Duke, whose grandfather founded Duke University.

Frances Singer Hayward, who sits on the Board of Directors of The Harbour, is “always thrilled when this time comes around. It is always one of the high points of my year – providing such a wonderful experience to these adorable and deserving students – both from New York and Freeport and having the chance to meet and spend time with the lovely families who so graciously agree to host the visiting students, many of whom have been involved since the beginning of the programme.”

In July the process will reverse, when the Jack Hayward High School students travel up to New York to attend the Harbour camp – out in East Hampton, Long Island.

Boy's Harbour 2002 Exchange Highlights and Photos:
› Student and Host Participants
› Schedule of Events
› Additional Photos