Since early 2020 CC Global Clubs have grown organically, with members sharing hobbies and interests, inspiring and shaping Virtual Yard event topics, and supporting one another in various endeavours overseas.
It was clear from Virtual Yard Meetings and community groups throughout 2019 that members wanted to get more deeply involved in themed special interest areas beyond the Virtual Yard Meetings and chats.
Now, as themed activities have grown in subscribers, dedicated clubs have been formed for members’ enjoyment and support.
CC Fit Club came to life in February 2021 and has now seen two successful Fit 4 Feb challenges , a Mind-Body Workshop with Lady Rabia, Merta Day and Mimi Kuo-Deemer, Mental Health: Let’s Talk with APF, Zest and Life Options, the 5454 King fundraiser, two Socasize in the Yard sessions with Ashlea Jade Smith, and representation at the Department of Tourism’s Richmond 5k Sundowner fun run to promote the Cayman Islands. The 12 Days of Mindfulness campaign now two years running, also forms part of the Club’s health and wellness mind-body offerings. Fit Club activities will be published on a quarterly basis in the e-newsletter, and all members are encouraged to join the active WhatsApp chat.
CC Bush Club took root last Spring with the Herbs of Spring & Bush Medicine in the Virtual Yard with guests Erik Leacock and Katie Beswick, and an official launch event – a nature walk with an option to forage – is planned with Katie in Stratford upon Avon on Mothering Sunday, 27 March. In April, Erik will lead a similar walk in Grand Cayman and more outdoors activities are planned for the Club including to celebrate the Queen’s Jubilee. Bush Club is for members who are interested in herbal remedies and bush medicines, making plant-based products, and holistic approaches to health and wellness.
Beginning in April, Poetry Month, the CC Book & Lit Club will be on offer, led by Caymanian writer Antonio Arch. Last year’s live poetry readings on social with Lauren Williams followed by Caymanian Poets in the Virtual Yard featuring Leonard Dilbert, Nasaria Suckoo-Chollette, and Lauren helped to inspire the Club, along with storytelling and readings by Antonio Arch and the young trio, Knox, Darius and Elijah at 2021 Christmas Overseas and Rita Estevanovich and Lauren at 2020’s Cayman Christmas Overseas. If you love to read and want to provide reviews on novels, poetry books, playscripts, screenplays – literature in all forms – this is the Club for you. Caymanian, Caribbean and international authors will be highlighted, so come ready to talk about what you’re reading and receive recommendations from others.
While many activities involving cooking and baking have taken place since April 2020, the CC Cook Club is now the official umbrella for all things culinary taking place at Cayman Connection. King’s Kitchen, the Caribbean Cook-Along with Chef Chad of GoGo Carib, and Christmas in the Cookrum with Rita (using Athena Robinson’s Caribbean Fruitcake recipe) were all fun, engaging events offering members a chance to recreate traditional and fusion recipes at home. Treasured Caymanian and Caribbean recipes from our community for observances such asCayman Thanksgiving as well as cocktail recipes courtesy Fusion Mixology, have also been posted on social as part of the CC Cook Club. Look out for more beloved recipes, and another cook-along event later in the year.
Other clubs are also in the works including one for persons interested in upskilling and one to partner with volunteers agencies who are assisting those in need both in the UK and in Cayman.
For more information on CC Global Clubs, including how to lead or sponsor an activity, or sign up for one or more, email hello@caymanconnection.org. Membership is open year-round, and is currently free of cost, however some activities may incur a small fee to support facilitators.