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Sunday, April 26, 2009

Back on the Mainland

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I'm back at home and even though the beach isn't far, there's no tropical beach right outside my door; no exotic birds are chirping loudly; no iguana are slithering by (which is okay); and no mosquitos are bugging (ha ha) me (that's okay too). I am not wearing a swimsuit and it's not very hot outside. I want to go back...right now. =)

I just went through the pictures that my husband and I took and loaded them on to this blog. I can only imagine the pictures this time next year.

Guess I'll go put on a turtleneck and continue to plan. LOL.

Chat soon...

Tracey
Camp Director
CampCaribe

Saturday, April 25, 2009

Almost Home (in Miami)

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I arrived back on the mainland (Miami) last night and will spend the day in South Beach. My flight leaves late tonight...and then I'm back to reality. How time flies.

I have scribbled tons of notes in the past 10 days and will continue to scribble notes for the next 12 months...right up until the day we leave for The Big Adventure. My last entry is confirmation that there is citronella at Cost U Less on St. Thomas and a reminder that Adventurers will need a passport to travel. The U.S. Customs Official that I spoke to said that although a birth certificate is usually okay, a passport is necessary for ease of travel. I think I'll go with that.

I have lots to do when I get back and I continue to be excited; probably more now than ever.

Chat soon...

Tracey
Camp Director
CampCaribe

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Days Five & Six on St. Thomas

Yesterday was my day to relax. I lounged around on the beach and read a book. In between my naps and my reading, I took a bunch of notes and gave some more thought to the camp. Resting definitely revitalized me, but I have a sunburn and that's annoying since I really should know better.

Today I visited Coral World (on St. Thomas) where I will take the girls on a day trip. Coral World is similar to Sea World, only with a tropical twist. It's a small but interesting place with iguana, ducks and a resident pelican roaming around freely amongst the tanks, aquariums and open ponds with sharks, stingray, sea turtles and a variety of other sealife.

My favorite sea animal is the sea turtle. They're an endangered species and signage was posted reminding everyone that the use of plastic bags poses an enormous threat not only to the environment but to the sea turtles as well. Swallowing non-biodegradable plastic - as you can imagine - is dangerous to all sea (and land) life. Using canvas totes at the grocery store was suggested. If you've seen the OBG tote on the Product Page on OneBrownGirl.com, you know that OBG is behind this initiative 100%.

During the camp session next year, I've decided to offer the girls rewards/prizes for answering questions about what they learned about sea life on their day trip to Coral World. One of CampCaribe's goals is to make learning fun and this is a perfect opportunity.

I have a few errands to run tomorrow, one of which is to go to Cost U Less to see if they have citronella candles so I can try to minimize the mosquitos and no-see-ums (aka sand fleas). I have way too many bug bites and the candles along with the citronella should help. I'll probably also go back to the beach. You know...for research.

Chat soon...

Tracey
Camp Director
CampCaribe

Monday, April 20, 2009

Day Four (continued)

I just left Plaza Extra, the local supermarket where I am pleased to say the cost of groceries is far more reasonable than on St. John (although charcoal was still unreasonably expensive). Nevertheless, at least now I know we won't be eating out everyday. I think cooking together will be a great group activity and will bond the girls even more.

I also went to KMart and it was the same as any KMart on the mainland except there was more beach gear. Besides the plethora of accented English I've been hearing on St. John (British, Australian, New Englanders, etc.), I've been hearing a lot of languages here on St. Thomas besides the local patois -- Portugese, French, Spanish, Haitian Creole...oh yeah...and California accented English...LOL).

I saw a big fat iguana on Sapphire Beach (not my favorite animal in the world) and a teeeny tiny lizard in the bathroom where I'm staying. I feel like I am invading their space a little, but they do NOT have to worry about me being in their way, that's for sure! I don't care for reptiles too much.

All in all, life is good and brown is beautiful. Chat soon.

Tracey
Camp Director
CampCaribe

Day Four - Leaving St. John & on to St. Thomas

Well, I just left the campsite and besides the itchy mosquito bites (I should have used insect repellant), everything was beautiful. Cinnamon Bay is a part of the Virgin Islands National Park and boasts a natural beauty that is hard to describe. The history of the islands is filled with stories about pirates and their bounty and the pace is nice...and...slowww.

When I was growing up, the last night at camp was full of tears. No one wanted to go home; the friends we made, the experiences we all shared, and the things we learned were all very hard to leave behind. I hope I am able to offer the same experience to the Adventurers of CampCaribe.

Chat soon,

Tracey
Camp Director
CampCaribe

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Day Three on St. John and the BVIs

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I don't really have too much to report today because it was a play day for me. I did make the decision not to take next year's Adventurers to the British Virgin Islands on an excursion, but they will most definitely go on a local sailing excursion. I considered renting a boat myself and shuttling them around, but I think my insurance premium would skyrocket. I'm sure there won't be any complaints about the sailing excursion, so I'll stick to my original plan. =)

Tomorrow I finish up here in St. John and then I'm off to St. Thomas to visit the local college and meet up with a friend to get some questions answered. I am considering hiring a local college student that has experience with kids as one of the counselors. We'll see.

So far I think I've accomplished quite a bit, but I'll have to get back here before the end of the year if I hire locally. Poor me.

It's time to relax. Chat soon.

Tracey
Camp Director
CampCaribe

Saturday, April 18, 2009

Day Two (continued...)

Although this is my third day here, the first day was a travel day, so I'm still on Day 2. I just felt a need to clarify. Smiling.

The good news of the day is that the dates for CampCaribe's first session have been secured! OMG. The camp experience will take place from 4/4/10 to 4/11/10 with 1 day of travel on each side. The price of $1500 per camper includes accomodations, all meals, snacks, excursions, activities, and a load of extras that will be discussed in detail at the Information Meetings (to be scheduled). (Group airfare rates will be worked out later and it's likely we'll fly on American Airlines from SFO to Miami and then on to the USVI unless I can work out something else.) This is fantastic.

I'm off to dinner and then to rest. I'm taking the day off tomorrow to go sailing to the British Virgin Islands.

Chat soon...

Tracey
Camp Director
CampCaribe

Day Two on St. John

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I'll be meeting with the campground manager later today to secure cottages for next year and to cement the meal plan. It's clear - after a little research - that I'm going to have to bring food over from St. Thomas on the ferry for the meals we prepare ourselves. The cost of groceries at the supermarket in St. John is astronomical. $11 for a small bag of charcoal. Even though I will be personally subsidizing a small portion of this Pilot Program, throwing money away isn't a part of the program. Idon'tthinkso.

I'm getting a little anxious again...wondering what gives me the nerve to embark on something like this. What keeps me going are the memories I have of the island camp I went to when I was growing up and how the experience helped shape me into the person I am today. I was always the only little Brown Girl at camp and that just doesn't seem right. I hope I don't sound redundant...but this is so important.

Chat soon...

Tracey
Camp Director
CampCaribe

Friday, April 17, 2009

Day One on St. John

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I woke up this morning to the sound of ocean waves and exotic birds (oh yeah...and my husband's snoring). What a great way to start the day.

Arrangements are coming along nicely for the camp...from the meal plan to the kayaking lessons to the sailing trip. Sea life and eco-tours will be provided by the Park Rangers here. I'm going to sneak in a sailing trip to the British Virgin Islands while I'm here. Hehehe.

I get more excited every minute I'm here. I can't wait to expose children to a life and experiences outside of the norm. Chat soon.

Tracey
Camp Director
CampCaribe

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Just Arrived in the Virgin Islands

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I'm sitting in a rental car on the ferry that goes from Red Hook (in St. Thomas) to Cruz Bay in St. John and the sea is mildly choppy. St. John is the island where CampCaribe will launch its pilot program in April 2010. The weather is beautiful (naturally) at 83 degrees Farenheit. It doesn't seem that hot because of the tradewinds. Absolutely awesome.

The trip has been extremely smooth so far and plans are underway. I'm genuinely excited for the girls that will come to camp next year. It will be...like the marketing materials point out...an adventure no girl should miss.

Catcha later!

Tracey,
Camp Director
CampCaribe
 
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