The conversation shouldn’t end with “Don’t go”

Just a girl

Every year, thousands of students across Trinidad and Tobago complete CSEC, CAPE, university examinations, and other major assessments. After months of studying, sacrificing social activities, managing the pressures of academic life, and navigating the challenges of growing up in the age of social media, many young people naturally seek community and an opportunity to relax and celebrate their achievements.

For many, that opportunity comes in the form of events such as Island Crashers, a highly marketed post-examination weekend that attracts students from across the country and, at times, the wider region.

While many attend simply to unwind with friends, concerns have been raised about the environment to which young people may be exposed, including underage drinking and other behaviours that may not reflect the values we hope to instil in our youth.

In a recent interview, Archbishop Charles Jason Gordon urged families to look beyond the marketing and pay attention to what young people may encounter at such events. As a 19-year-old Roman Catholic, I understand and appreciate these concerns. The Church has a responsibility to speak out when the well-being of young people is at stake.

However, this raises an important question: if we are encouraging young people not to participate in these events, what alternatives are we offering them?

On June 27, I attended the Archdiocesan Young Leaders Retreat 2026 at San Salvador Estate, Gran Couva. There, more than 100 young people from across the Archdiocese gathered to engage in meaningful conversations about synodality and share our insights, hopes, and ideas for the future of the Church.

During our breaks, we had the opportunity to connect with one another without the constant presence of our phones. We explored the estate’s trails, appreciated the beauty of nature, and spent time in genuine fellowship.

For me, it was a refreshing retreat experience and the perfect brain cooler after months of examinations.

What made the experience especially meaningful was the opportunity to connect with other young people who shared similar experiences, values, and interests. Away from the distractions of examination stress, social media, and the pressures of everyday life, we were able to build friendships, reflect on our faith, and simply enjoy one another’s company.

That experience showed me that young people do not simply need warnings, they also need opportunities. After completing their examinations, many are searching for a “brain cooler”—a chance to rest, celebrate, and reconnect with their peers after an intense period of academic pressure.

The popularity of events like Island Crashers suggests that there is a genuine need for spaces where young people can unwind, celebrate, and enjoy themselves.

Could the Church provide more opportunities that respond to this reality? Whether through retreats, youth camps, beach outings, pilgrimages, festivals, shared experiences, or weekend getaways, there is enormous potential to create environments where young people can have fun, build lasting friendships, and grow in faith without compromising their values.

This retreat demonstrated that young people are not opposed to faith-based activities. In fact, when opportunities are meaningful, engaging, and relevant to our lives, many of us are eager to participate.

The success of experiences such as the Archdiocesan Young Leaders Retreat points to a wider opportunity for the Church to create more spaces where young people can celebrate, rest, and build community after major milestones such as examinations.

The question is not simply whether Island Crashers is good or bad. Rather, it is whether the Church is adequately responding to a need that clearly exists among its young people.

If we want to limit events that may expose young people to unhealthy influences, we must also invest in creating experiences that are attractive, accessible, and genuinely enjoyable.

As we continue to discuss the challenges facing young people today, we should also ask how we can accompany them through some of the most significant moments of their lives.

The period after examinations is one such moment. It is a time when many young people are searching not only for rest and recreation, but also for purpose, friendship, and a sense of belonging. The Church is uniquely positioned to meet those needs.

Perhaps the conversation should not end with what young people should avoid but rather continue with what the Church can offer in its place.