The camp, held from 10 to 31 August 2026 at the Kanifing Municipal Library, brought together 40 participants from Regions 1 and 2 for hands-on activities designed to encourage curiosity, creativity, problem-solving and teamwork.
The programme was organised around three stages: Discover, Create and Solve. The partnership brought together CUBE's experience in practical STEAM education and youth programming with the Kanifing Municipal Library's community reach, learning space and youth-focused services.
During the first week, participants explored issues affecting their communities through activities including water filtration experiments, environmental and waste observation, upcycling, leadership and public speaking, internet safety, and a simulation on energy planning and climate policy.
The second week moved participants into practical creation and technology. Students worked with Arduino and robotics, developed their digital literacy skills, explored 3D printing, participated in debate and began developing projects for the camp's closing Expo. Staff from the Kanifing Municipal Library also sessions on digital literacy and 3D printing.
One participant, Sada Ceesay, a student at Charles Jow Senior Secondary School, said the camp has helped him develop new technical and leadership skills: “I have learned many things, especially during the tech sessions where we learned about Arduino and robotics. My leadership skills have also improved during the camp.”
Fatou Darboe, a student at Model Senior Secondary School, said the camp introduced her to activities she had never tried before: “I really enjoyed the camp, especially the debate. I had never done debate before, and now I know how to do it and I really like it.”
The final week focused on completing and refining participants' projects while strengthening their communication, civic awareness and creative skills. Students took part in art, photography, civic education, child rights, artificial intelligence, project development and Expo preparation.
Gambian visual artist Zina Zoker, popularly known as Zizzo, led a collaborative painting session and provided the materials and supplies for the activity.
The photography and visual storytelling session was facilitated by Gambian photographer and visual documentarian Aboubacarr Dem through the National Centre for Arts and Culture (NCAC), introducing participants to photography for documentation, storytelling and creative expression.
MrAnsumana Ceesay, Programme Manager at the National Council for Civic Education (NCCE), facilitated the civic education session. Participants explored how The Gambia is governed, how citizens can participate in their communities and how young people can engage with issues affecting them.
During the child rights and civic participation session, Mallen Jobarteh, Child Rights Officer at the National Human Rights Commission, The Gambia (NHRC), led discussions on children's rights, responsibilities and the importance of young people's voices in their communities.
Throughout the final week, participants continued developing their Expo projects, testing their ideas, making improvements and preparing their presentations. The camp concluded with the IGNITE Expo and Community Showcase on 31st August, where participants presented the projects they had developed during the programme and explained the problems, processes and solutions behind their work. The closing programme also featured student performances, certificates and recognition of participants' creativity, teamwork, leadership and problem-solving.
Speaking about the programme, Joanna Gomez, Development and Communications Manager at CUBE The Gambia, said IGNITE was designed to give young people an opportunity to experience a different kind of learning.
“IGNITE is about helping young people move from simply seeing problems around them to asking questions, developing ideas and taking action. We want participants to leave the camp understanding that they have the ability to contribute to their communities.”
Ebrima Sowe, Chief Librarian of the Kanifing Municipal Library, said the partnership with CUBE reflects the Library’s evolving role as a community space for learning and creativity.
“The partnership between the Kanifing Municipal Library and CUBE is a natural one. Nowadays, libraries are not only book hubs but also community hubs, and the Kanifing Municipal Library is no exception. The Library has an important role in providing the community with a conducive environment for study, as well as a space for creative activities. This summer camp proves that, because I could see that the participants were very comfortable throughout the camp.”
The camp received additional support from a number of organisations. R&A Company Ltd. provided a financial contribution and printing support, while the National Human Rights Commission supported the printing of participant materials. The Art Academy, the first dedicated art school in The Gambia, contributed a specialist facilitator for a visual arts session.
CUBE The Gambia is a Gambian non-profit organisation focused on expanding access to STEAM education through practical, experiential learning, with particular emphasis on Green STEAM, digital skills and youth innovation. The Kanifing Municipal Library is a community learning resource serving young people and families in the Kanifing Municipality through education, literacy and youth-focused programming.
The IGNITE Summer STEAM Camp provided participants with practical learning experiences designed to build skills, confidence and exposure to areas that can support their future education, careers and participation in community development.
