Island Times Blog

So today was one for the record books! I am so proud of this group of students for their unbelievable enthusiasm, energy, and attitudes. We truly made the most of today, and even as I write this, it’s hard for me to believe how much we accomplished.

We started the day with a yummy pancake breakfast and then hiked the Reef Bay Trail, voted one of the Caribbean’s Top Ten Hikes. The trail included some more sugar plantation ruins, as well as some petroglyphs made by the Amerindians that once inhabited St. John. And of course, we observed dozens of unique plant and animal species. Thanks to Virgin Islands National Park Ranger, Laurel, we learned so much and got some great photos that will be posted on Facebook shortly. After lunch we cooled off with a swim in Little Lameshur Bay and our dive instructor, Chance Ruder, led the students in practicing swim and skin diving skills as part of their Intro to Scientific Diving Specialty Course. Then we headed back to camp for dinner and showers, followed by a presentation by Susan Zaluski, Director of the Jost Van Dykes Preservation Society. She talked about the many conservation and management projects she’s working on in the BVIs. We ended this awesome day with a campfire, music and singing…and even s’mores. What a fantastic day!!!