Maho Bay Camps will collaborate with Jean-Michel Cousteau's Ocean Futures Society on a series of weeklong adventure vacations in ocean exploration and environmental awareness on St. John from July 21-Aug. 10.
The "Ambassadors of the Environment" program will teach youths from 11 to 18 years old and their families about the local ecology, sustainability and on becoming better stewards of the environment on St. John. This unique program brings together the expertise of two world leaders in sustainable tourism — Stanley Selengut, founder of ecotourism resorts on St. John, and Jean-Michel Cousteau, son of the undersea pioneer, the late Jacques Cousteau — to offer lessons on both marine and terrestrial ecology in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Selengut has been bringing travelers to his tent cottages in the USVI on St. John for 25 years, teaching guests how to enjoy the natural environment while minimizing the impact on the land. Cousteau has been leading groups of young people to remote parts of the world to explore the wonders of the sea and its intrinsic value. This new program will combine both terrestrial and marine preservation efforts to study and protect delicate ecosystems in the USVI.
The Ambassadors of the Environment program will consist of two major types of activities: challenge activities, which focus on individuals and the group, and educational activities, which include daily field activities to study the land, sea, campgrounds and ecosystems. Most will take place in Virgin Islands National Park. More than one-third of the 11,560 acres that make up the V.I. National Park are underwater.
Participants will learn about environmental protection on land and sea. Snorkeling excursions, hiking, kayaking and stargazing will be an integral part of the educational activities, in addition to informative discussions about ecosystems.
Wearing snorkels and masks, participants will observe the fragile coral reefs, sea grass beds and endangered mangroves to better understand their value and ecological connections. Land-based activities will include exploring the forests and ancient indigenous cultures, and workshops about solar technology, recycling, composting and organic gardening. Participants will also be able to work with glass artisans to make beautiful functional pieces such as mugs and vases from recycled glass materials, as part of Maho's ongoing glass recycling project.
Three consecutive seven-day programs will be held during the summer at St. John's Maho Bay Camps. The first program, July 21-27, is for families consisting of people of all ages. Rates for families are as follows: $3,400 for three people/one cabin; $4,300 for four people/one cabin; $5,000 for four people/two cabins; $5,900 for five people/two cabins; and $6,800 for six people/two cabins.
A maximum of 90 campers can participate in the family program. More time will be allotted for families to spend time together with minimal programming.
The second program will be held July 28-Aug. 3, for children 11 to 14 years old. The final summer program will be held Aug. 4-10, for those 15 to 18 years old. The cost for each youth program is $1,250 per camper. The maximum number of campers for each youth program is 40.
Costs do not include airfare to the Virgin Islands. Accommodations will be provided at Maho Bay Camps, where participants will stay in its singular environmentally sensitive tent cottages. Maho Bay's kitchen staff will provide three well-rounded and healthy meals each day, and a small grocery store is also on-site.
All instructors for the program have a college degree in natural or environmental science, are over the age of 21, and are first aid/CPR and lifeguard-certified. All staff instructors are personally trained by Jean-Michel Cousteau team members and are full-time employees of Ocean Futures Society with extensive experience in conducting these programs.
For the youth programs, there will be one staff counselor for every three campers in addition to the instructors.
For more information about the Ambassadors of the Environment program and Jean-Michel Cousteau's Ocean Futures Society, call (805) 899-8899, visit their Web site or call Maho Bay Camps at (800) 451-9288 or (340) 776-6226.