The government has marked the end of Move It Cayman with a family fun day at John Gray High School.

Move It Cayman, a collaboration between the Ministry of Health, Environment and Sustainability and the Ministry of Youth, Sports, Culture and Heritage, brought residents together for exercise, medical check-ups and community activities to encourage better health across the Cayman Islands.

The event on July 4, 2026 was the culmination of a 12-week campaign that attracted more than 1,000 TeamFit app sign-ups and saw individuals, workplaces, schools and community groups take part in a challenge to build healthier habits. It also marked the end of the first initiative under the wider STEP into Wellness national awareness and education campaign, while setting the stage for the next phase focused on nourishment.

A day built around movement and family participation

The family fun day at John Gray High School featured a one-mile walk and run, dance fitness sessions, taekwondo and boxing demonstrations, and basketball and netball activities. An Active Seniors Zone was also included, alongside a bouncy castle for children, health screenings and sponsor booths offering information and resources.

The format reflected the public health campaign’s focus on simple, practical ways for residents to stay active. Organisers used the event to show that movement could be part of daily life for people of all ages, whether through sport, exercise classes or family participation in community events.

Minister for Health, Environment and Sustainability Katherine Ebanks-Wilks said the campaign showed what could be achieved through shared effort. "The success of Move It Cayman demonstrated what was possible when we all came together around a shared goal of better health. I wanted to thank every participant, our partners and sponsors who made this campaign a success. I am excited about the work that is underway in my Ministry on the next initiative under the STEP into Wellness campaign," she said.

Government ministries joined forces on public health

Chief Officer for the Ministry of Health, Environment and Sustainability, Ms. Tamara Ebanks, said the campaign reflected a wider commitment to evidence-based health promotion: "The success of Move It Cayman reflected the strength of collaboration across government, our community partners and the many residents who embraced the campaign. As a Ministry, we remain committed to delivering evidence-based initiatives that improve health outcomes and create opportunities for people to make healthier choices. Building on this momentum, we look forward to advancing the STEP into Wellness campaign and continuing to work with our partners to foster a healthier Cayman Islands," she said.

Minister for Youth, Sports, Culture and Heritage Isaac Rankine said sport and physical activity played an important role in building a healthier community: "Move It Cayman demonstrated the important role sport and physical activity played in building a healthier community. Promoting an active and healthy lifestyle for all is one of our Ministry’s key priorities, and we are proud to have worked alongside our sporting associations and other Government ministries to bring this initiative to life," he said.

Health officials pointed to lasting habits

Chief Nursing Officer Felicia McLean said regular exercise remained one of the most effective ways to reduce the risk of chronic disease. "Regular physical activity was one of the most effective ways to prevent and manage chronic diseases while supporting both physical and mental wellbeing. Move It Cayman helped remind us that incorporating movement into our daily routines did not require extraordinary effort, just commitment. We encourage everyone to continue building on the healthy habits they have developed throughout the campaign," she said.

Chief Officer for the Ministry of Education and Training Ms. Cetonya Cacho also pointed to the importance of getting children and families involved early. "Healthy students were better equipped to learn, grow and reach their full potential. As a Ministry, we are proud to have supported this initiative and to encourage schools, students, and families to make physical activity a regular part of everyday life. We remain committed to working collaboratively across government to foster healthy habits from an early age, helping to build stronger outcomes both inside and outside the classroom," she said.

Next phase will focus on nourishment

While Move It Cayman ended with the family fun day, it also marked the start of the next stage of STEP into Wellness. The campaign is being rolled out as a national awareness and education effort designed to help residents prevent or reduce the impact of non-communicable diseases by making informed, sustainable lifestyle choices.

The programme is built around four pillars: movement, nourishment, mindfulness and knowledge. The next focus will be Nourishment, with residents expected to make informed food choices and to better understand nutrition as part of a healthier daily routine.

Mrs. McLean said participants should also complete the post-campaign survey, whether they joined for one day or took part throughout the full challenge. She said the feedback would help officials understand what worked well, where improvements could be made and how future initiatives could be strengthened.

The campaign’s organisers said the effort was intended to support a healthier Cayman Islands and Grand Cayman by helping residents make informed choices that could lower the risk of non-communicable diseases over time. With prizes awarded during the campaign and more than 1,000 people taking part through the TeamFit app, the government said the response showed that many residents were willing to engage when health promotion was practical, local and family-friendly.