Howard "Butch" Kerzner is remembered not only for his business integrity and acuity, but also for his compassion for the people of The Bahamas, particularly the youth. Butch's widow, Vanessa Kerzner, determined to see his visions continue into a legacy, initiated the development of the Butch Kerzner Summit Foundation (BKSF).

The Bahamian Ministry of Youth and Sports has granted BKSF, in conjunction with the Federation of Gymnastics, six acres of land at the Queen Elizabeth Sports Centre in New Providence. With this grant, the foundation is currently developing a facility for Bahamian children called Summit Center. This facility will offer recreational activities along with an extensive range of programs, including mentoring, tutoring, and courses to broaden children's life skills. In September 2007, an eight-lane, 25-meter swimming pool opened at St. Anne's School in Fox Hill, fully funded by BKSF as part of the legacy of Butch Kerzner.

The Foundation's first official program, "Sky Climbers" was established to inspire thousands of Bahamian students to rise to success. The Sky Climbers program is designed to teach the safety and performance of rock climbing to students in grades 7 through 12. Considering Butch's love for rock climbing and seeing the children's overwhelmingly positive response to the sport during a demonstration at the Michael Jordan Celebrity Invitational golf tournament in early 2008, Mrs. Kerzner decided she wanted to incorporate the sport into the foundation.

"Nick Sagar, Operations Consultant for the Butch Kerzner Summit Foundation, introduced Butch to climbing. He found it both physically and mentally challenging. That's why we thought it would be good for the students. It allows you to set goals for yourself. Not all kids are good at team sports, but this gives them an opportunity to compete, not against others, but against themselves; challenging them to do better and better. It allows them to build trust, meet new friends, and develop their bodies and minds in a safe environment," she explained.

The Sky Climbers program currently has a temporary facility on Paradise Island adjacent to Atlantis and offers two outside climbing walls and two inside walls. A program manager and wall attendant assist the students, allowing them the opportunity to improve their climbing skills and practice new techniques, including lead climbing and rappelling. The facility can accommodate up to thirty children simultaneously and is operational on weekdays during school hours.

"We want to make this a part of the physical education curriculum. We'd like to see the kids come out a few times so that they can build their skills. They'll become better at climbing, but also build their trust and self esteem," explained Nick Sagar, who adds, "there is no cost attached to this program so it's available to any student with the desire to participate."

Rock climbing challenges adventure-seeking students to take advantage of a new opportunity, and better themselves both physically and mentally. Mrs. Kerzner, who is already looking forward to opening the Summit Center, is excited to begin welcoming students to Sky Climbers. "We've already invited public school teachers to try out the new facility," she says, "the next step will be welcoming thousands of students to 'climb' to higher heights!"

Schools interested in the Sky Climbers program can visit www.bksummitfoundation.com.