Young people from the Virgin Islands are in Barbados for a week long CARIFESTA XV Student Jamboree from August 22 to 31, 2025. Photo: GIS

Day 1 of CARIFESTA XV Student Jamboree in Bridgetown, Barbados. Photo: Instagram/Ashley Lashley

Selected as part of the territory’s 53-member delegation, these young people are currently in Barbados for this first-of-its-kind cultural youth camp, designed to bring together students in a week-long celebration of Caribbean identity, creativity, and connection.

CARIFESTA XV began on August 22 and will end on August 31, 2025. This year’s celebration is being held under the theme ‘Caribbean Roots. Global Excellence’. 

Building bridges between young people- PM Mia A. Mottley

“This CARIFESTA XV Student Jamboree is about building bridges between young people, between our countries, and between ideas. We want our youth not only to witness the best of Caribbean culture, but to imagine the best of its future together,” Barbados Prime Minister, Hon Mia  A. Mottley explained to Barbados media ahead of CARIFESTA XV. 

Meanwhile, Junior Minister for Tourism and Culture, Hon Luce D. Hodge-Smith (R4) said during a press conference on August 18, 2025, Prime Minister Mottley made a special request for each delegation to have student representation for this inaugural camp. 

Campers are being immersed in CARIFESTA’s ten-day celebration, with special access to cultural events island-wide and full participation in the Youth Village, a high-impact hub of innovation, wellness, performance and dialogue designed specifically for young leaders.

The CARIFESTA XV Student Jamboree is coordinated by the Prime Minister’s Office in Barbados, through a Special Committee. Students are being safely accommodated at selected schools in the capital city, Bridgetown.