Twenty-six young people concluded six days of music, mentorship and personal development on Saturday July 18, 2026 as The President’s Pan Camp 2026 came to a triumphant close at The President’s House.
Now in its third consecutive year, the Camp brought together participants from the Cotton Tree Foundation, the Scout Association of Trinidad and Tobago, the Girl Guides Association of Trinidad and Tobago, the Trinidad and Tobago Cadet Force and Police Youth Clubs in Trinidad and Tobago for an immersive programme built around the spirit of the panyard.
Using the steelpan as its foundation, the Camp sought not only to develop musical ability but also to foster confidence, discipline, teamwork, leadership and resilience.
Throughout the week, campers received daily steelpan instruction and participated in mentorship sessions led by accomplished musicians and professionals who shared both their expertise and their personal journeys. Featured pannists Dejean Cain, Akini Gill, Emmanuel Joseph, Obadele Allick, Keisha Codrington and Natasha Joseph engaged the campers through interactive musical experiences that highlighted the discipline, perseverance and excellence required to succeed in the arts.
The programme was further enriched by guest mentors Derron Sandy, Mical “Teja” Williams, Nailah Blackman, Ana-Leesa Ramnarine (DJ Ana) and Vera Bhajan, Attorney-at-Law, whose sessions encouraged the campers to recognise the power of their voices, honour the legacies that have shaped them, think critically about emerging technologies and approach challenges with confidence and a positive outlook.
Campers also had the opportunity to learn alongside young pannists from across Trinidad and Tobago through the participation of Lil Skiffle, bp Renegades Youth Steel Orchestra, Proman Starlift, Power Stars Youth Steel Orchestra, Cordette Steel Orchestra, Tornadoes Steel Orchestra, Katzenjammers Steel Orchestra, Golden Hands Steel Orchestra, Highlanders Steel Orchestra and Courts Sound Specialists of Laventille. The attendance of Katzenjammers Steel Orchestra was facilitated by The Honourable Farley Chavez Augustine, Chief Secretary of the Tobago House of Assembly.
The closing ceremony was attended by parents, guardians, representatives of the participating organisations and specially invited guests. The programme featured reflections from campers through poetry and personal testimony, as well as an overview of the Camp by Mrs Michelle Huggins-Watts of the Technical Committee.
The highlight of the afternoon was a spirited performance by the 26 campers of Farmer Nappy’s How Ah Livin’, the piece they had spent the week mastering. Their performance earned enthusiastic applause from the audience and showcased not only their musical progress but also the confidence and teamwork they had developed over the course of the programme.
Delivering remarks, Dr the Honourable Michael Dowlath MP, Minister of Education, congratulated the campers on their achievement and underscored the important role of arts and culture in education and youth development.
The feature address was delivered by His Excellency Kerwyn Garcia S.C., First Gentleman of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, who reflected on the wider significance of the President’s Pan Camp as an initiative that demonstrates how music, mentorship and community can help shape confident, capable young people. He concluded by observing that “when young people find their voices, a nation finds its future.”
The ceremony concluded with a special performance by the Shell Invaders Youth Steel Orchestra.
Hosted by Their Excellencies Christine Carla Kangaloo O.R.T.T., President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, and Kerwyn Garcia SC, First Gentleman, The President’s Pan Camp continues to demonstrate the transformative power of the panyard model, showing that the steelpan is not only an instrument of national pride but also a powerful means of nurturing character, strengthening communities and investing in the nation’s future.
See the full album below:
