Friends Summer Eco-Camps at VIERS

Thanks to support from Friends of Virgin Islands National Park and a number of committed sponsors, more than 150 Virgin Islands youth are offered the opportunity to participate in a three-day/two-night camp focused on learning about coastal ecology. Summer Eco-Camps will be held at the University of Virgin Islands Environmental Resource Station (VIERS), located in the Virgin Islands National Park on the south side of St. John in Lameshur Bay, which is operated by Clean Islands International. This is the eighth year that Friends of Virgin Islands National Park has supported Clean Islands International in presenting summer Eco-Camps at VIERS. “This is an opportunity for VI youth to spend three days in Virgin Islands National Park enjoying the outdoors and learning about the diverse eco-systems that exist on St. John,” said Friends president Joe Kessler. “In these times of thin budgets, which are rendering summer learning opportunities scarce, Friends is proud to be involved in the Eco-Camps program, which remains strong, and provides a fun, interactive and safe environment in which to learn.

Along with Friends, sponsors include Disney Cruise Line, First Bank, Lana Vento Charitable Trust, Prosser ICC Foundation, Chevron Caribbean, Department of Agriculture, and Rotary Club of St. John. “Once again, we are proud to the have the continued support of these highly regarded corporate and foundation partners; they provide the financial means that allow our community’s youth to receive the environmental education they deserve. Our sponsors commitment to this program and our youth is a fine example of outstanding corporate and community leadership,” said Karen Brady, Friends’ development director.

This summer, in celebration of the Park’s 50th anniversary, camp curriculum has been developed to look at the park today, 50 years ago and 50 years from now. In addition, campers will explore a variety of eco-systems that surround the camp at VIERS through interactive, hands-on activities and fun lessons. Each camper will receive a copy of “Island Peek to Coral Reef: A Field Guide to the Plant and Marine Communities of the Virgin Islands” by Toni Thomas and Dr. Barry Devine from the University of the Virgin Islands, as well as a guide to the Virgin Islands National Park.

In addition to learning about eco-systems from Island Peaks to Coral Reefs, there will be hiking, swimming, snorkeling, eco-art and fun environmental learning activities. Trained counselors and educators strongly emphasize the preservation of the natural and cultural resources that are found in the Virgin Islands. Space is limited to 30 students per camp. Parents are welcome to join their children as space is available.

The coastal ecology oriented camps are offered to U.S. Virgin Islands residents at no charge and are scheduled as follows:

The following camps are for students ages 8 - 12 years old:

Camps include: lodging, meals, snacks, bottled water, a copy of the new publication “Island Peak to Coral Reef”, camp t-shirt and transportation from Red Hook or Cruz Bay. Eco-campers will meet at the Red Hook Ferry Dock or Cruz Bay Ferry Dock at 9 a.m. on the first day and be returned to the same location on the third day by 5:20 p.m. A camp registration form, proof of U.S. Virgin Islands residency and $30 registration fee (which is refundable upon completion of the camp) must be received prior to acceptance into the program. Each camper must provide a copy of some type of proof that they are a current resident of the Virgin Islands (such as report card or school ID). The cost for non-residents is $250. For registration information, please visit our website at: www.islands.org or call Gretchen Mills, VIERS Environmental Education Coordinator at 776-6721 or e-mail Gretchen at viers2007@gmail.com for an information packet.

“With the Park celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, we have the opportunity this summer in our camps to review the past and look into the future. Each summer we have a different focus and this year we will have discussions on what the campers think the Park will be like in 50 years. I think this will be very interesting. In addition to learning about coastal eco-systems, campers will learn more about what are their daily responsibilities in protecting, preserving and conserving natural resources. We appreciate the support from Friends and the other sponsors to be able to offer these camps.” said Randy Brown, VIERS Administrator.

The Virgin Islands Environmental Resource Station (VIERS) is a facility of the University of the Virgin Islands located in the Virgin Islands National Park on the south side of St. John and is operated by Clean Islands International, a U.S. IRS 501(c)(3) and USVI nonprofit organized exclusively for educational, scientific and charitable purposes. Donations are welcomed to fund additional campers.

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