Soul Trak Leader Service Week - US Virgin Islands
May 15th - May 22nd
Soul Trak will be hosting its annual Soul Trak Leader Adventure Week again this year in the US Virgin Islands. This week will consist of exciting activities and workshops led by both Soul Trak staff and program partners. This is a great opportunity to deepen our bonding experience as a network of outdoor leaders, further our learning around leadership and diversity, and continue to engage in outdoor recreational activities that promote teamwork, skill building, and expand our tolerance for adversity. This program will be made available for the Environmental Leadership Cohort, College Ambassador Cohort, Soul Trak Volunteers and Soul Trak Members.
We are partnering with the Friends of Virgin Islands National Park to be part of their volunteer Trail Crew. The Virgin Islands National Park is on the Island of St. John.
The Volunteer Camp at Cinnamon Bay.
Food: Volunteers will be responsible for feeding themselves. There will be transportation to the grocery store on Monday after work. This means we should arrive to the camp on Sunday with enough food to get through Sunday night and Monday's work day. Food prices are quite high on St. John, so it's a good idea to bring some dry foods from the States. You are welcome to hang out in Cruz Bay, but transportation will not be provided.
Transportation: The National Park has a 14-passenger government van for the Trails Program. This vehicle can ONLY be used for official government use - meaning that recreational trips during non-work time are prohibited. The van will be used exclusively for transportation to and from the work sites and a grocery store trip into Cruz Bay. It is NOT safe to walk on the road from camp to Cruz Bay (~4 miles).
Accommodation: The volunteer campground is a three-minute walk from the beautiful white sand beach of Cinnamon Bay with excellent swimming and snorkeling (no lifeguard on duty). Each volunteer will be given a Eureka Copper Canyon 12 tent that is big enough that you can stand up and walk around in. They are situated on raised wooden platforms and equipped with 2 cots (no bedding provided). Volunteers who are traveling alone will have their own tent while couples/families can share a tent.
The campground kitchen is equipped with two Coleman double-burner propane stoves, a propane fill, a refrigerator, a full complement of kitchenware, picnic tables, coolers, drinking water, electric lights, and a cellphone charging station. The open power is to be used only for the charging of small electronic devices.
There are two cold-water showers and two toilets at camp. All communal areas are to be kept clean by volunteers.
Please note that there is no cell coverage at camp. Limited cell service is available at the east end of the beach.
Featured Programs:
Trail Maintenance
Restoration Work
Planting
Ruins Clearing
Archaeology
Itinerary:
Sunday: Arrival
Monday: trail maintenance, restoration work, planting, ruins clearing, archaeology work
Tuesday: trail maintenance, restoration work, planting, ruins clearing, archaeology work
Wednesday: off day, recreation day. companies, snorkel
Thursday: trail maintenance, restoration work, planting, ruins clearing, archaeology work
Friday: trail maintenance, restoration work, planting, ruins clearing, archaeology work
Saturday: off day, recreation day. companies, snorkel
Sunday: departure day
Work Day Hours - 8:30-2:30 pm
What to Bring:
Sun protection (hat, reef-safe sunscreen, sunglasses..etc)
Water bottles (3+ liter total capacity
Closed-toe shoes (no sandals at work)
Sandals (for camp and beach)
Bedding (sheets or a sleeping pad, sleeping bag) The temperature drops below 70 degrees at night.
Flashlight and extra batteries
Medication and basic first aid supplies
Long pants for work
Work gloves
Swimming stuff (snorkel gear can be rented)
Toiletries (hand soap, toilet paper and dish soap are provided)
Bug spray
Total cost: $650
Cost: All programs, equipment, group meals, lodging, and ground transport will be covered but in order to ensure attendance for this exciting week of programs, we are asking you to cover the cost of air travel to the U.S. Virgin Islands. This payment will secure your spot in the service week program. Deposits/cancellations for this program are non-refundable under any circumstance. Deposits are sent directly to our travel agent who reserves seating for the days of travel.
Participants have the option of paying in 4 installments of $163
In order to attend this program, participants must have proof of Covid Vaccination or Negative Covid 19 test 72 hours before departure. Once tested, please try your best to quarantine by minimizing outings or spending time in close quarters with others from outside your own household for extended periods of time.
Deposits are final and non-refundable - Each participant's deposit are being applied to airfare that is already pre-purchased.