The journey to Akwa Ibom, Nigeria, for Camp NexGen™ 2025 was a homecoming. After five years of Camp NexGen™ and taking the program across East and West Africa, we finally brought our signature SPORT x STEAM experience home to Akwa Ibom, where both Idara Otu and our lead partner William Troost-Ekong have deep roots. This had been Idara's dream since launching the camp in 2019, and the significance wasn't lost on anyone present.

Over three transformative days in June, we welcomed 150 students aged 13-15 from eight schools and orphanages across Uyo, Etinan, and Nsit Ubium. What made this camp particularly meaningful was that one-third of our campers were orphans, reinforcing our commitment to reaching young people from underserved backgrounds who need these opportunities most. In many ways, Idara and William represent the epitome of what the program's mission aims to develop—African youth who excel in both field and classroom, achievements that have carried them to great heights and lessons that will shape their success for the remainder of their lives.

This year's camp was elevated by an extraordinary partnership with Nigeria's Super Eagles Captain William Troost-Ekong and The Troost-Ekong Foundation. William not only lent his name to the effort, but he was also actively involved in planning, fundraising, and leading our daily football training sessions. His presence brought infectious energy to the pitch, and watching campers learn from a national hero was nothing short of inspiring. The technical excellence continued with our STEAM programming, where Global Air University provided five expert instructors to guide campers through drone building, flying, and computer programming in Scratch.

One of the most impactful moments came through our partnership with Bras for Girls, which provided sports bras to all our female participants—many receiving their first. The accompanying educational materials opened important conversations about body changes in a safe, supportive environment where these young women felt truly prioritized. It was equally heartening to hear several girls express a newfound interest in football (soccer) after the training sessions, promising to pursue the sport back at school.

This camp had a special family atmosphere that enhanced the experience immeasurably. William brought his young children, who delighted campers by bringing joy to the pitch through their playful energy, and assisted behind the scenes, packing our camper bags ahead of camp. Additionally, having volunteers who spoke the native language created instant familiarity and trust, allowing for deeper connections than we've experienced before.

Through every drill, every line of code, and every successful drone flight, our message remained clear: these young people can excel in both athletic and academic pursuits. Watching 150 campers—60% of them young women embrace this possibility was a powerful reminder of why we do this work.

The impact extends far beyond three days of camp. By exposing these students to high-demand STEAM fields through engaging, hands-on experiences, we're planting seeds for future careers in industries where youth employment opportunities abound in a deliberate effort to address the youth unemployment challenges facing many African nations.

For more information about Camp NexGen™ or to get involved, visit campnexgen.org. To learn more about LGRRG's broader mission, visit lgrrg.org.

Homecoming – Bringing Camp NexGen™ Back to Our Roots