Off to Pom Pom Island

I just received the below update from Mr. Fluharty: 

We just got back from Baku park where we saw proboscis monkeys, flying lemurs, long tail macaques and wild boars. This is our last day in Sarawak. Tomorrow we are off to Sabah and diving on Pom Pom island. The kids are doing great. The Iban longhouse experience was fantastic.

I can't wait to hear about Pom Pom Island! It looks like the group is having an amazing time. I will let you know when I get another update. 

Jungle Trek

The group is safe and having a great time! They have recovered from their first trek and are on their second trek in the jungle.  I will let you know once I hear from them again.

STRI Panama 2013 - - Pre-Departure

Monday, June 10 is our departure date!  I am looking forward to traveling to Panama again this summer, with such a great group of upper school students.  Check-in on the blog to see updates and photo journal entries by the students while we are in Panama.  Updated information and reminders will be sent the the group in the upcoming weeks to assist with all of the packing and last minute preparation details.

Orangutan Rehab Facility

I received the below update from Mr. Fluharty this morning:

Today we watched several orangutans swing from tree to tree, one female with a three month old baby. We spent a very warm afternoon at a local private school with a group of Malay students escorting us around campus. Hopefully they will return the favor and visit Cape Henry one day. Tomorrow we begin our four day immersion with the Iban tribe. The kids are a bit nervous about the trek but they'll do fine. I do not expect to make another blog entry for several days while we re in the jungle. Our guide Lemon told the students to expect very "basic" accommodations. We'll see very soon. So far everyone is doing well. We should be done with the jet lag tomorrow. 

I will let you know once I hear from them again!

Getting Settled

I received this email from Mr. Fluharty this morning:

We  arrived after a very long couple of days of travel . After we met our guide Lemon, we settled in at the Lime Tree hotel in the old part of Kuching. Although very tired we decided to walk around town and visit the old shopping district where we changed some money and Danny bought some new flip flops. After a little nap we were off to the Top Spot to have dinner .Tomorrow will be our first day of activities and we will visit the Orangutan Rehab Facility.


I can't wait to hear about their first full day! I will let you know when I hear form the group again.

Arrived and Ready to Go

Good Evening,  I just got a text from Willy that said the group has arrived in Malaysia!!! They adventure is officially about to begin after a day and a half of straight travel. All of the students are safe and have their luggage!.I can't wait to get updates! As soon as we know, we will post!

Long Journey

Good morning everyone, Mr. Fluharty called with an update today. The group is still in transit, they are all tired but doing well. They still have another long flight and I will get another update once they arrive.

The countdown is almost over!

They are off to Malaysia in less than two days! Please follow this blog as we will be posting trip updates as much as possible. Mr. Fluharty will be sending me information whenever he can and this is where I will post everything.

Pre-Trip Meetings

It's hard to believe we are only a month away from our Yellowstone Trip! I will try to be posting daily about our activities of the day. We will definitely have student bloggers, so be prepared for your child's report! We have learned how to set up tents and about the supervolcano in our pre-trip meetings so far! Now we just need to put our knowledge to use!

A meeting with a Bush Doctor

We were honored and privileged to meet a 7th generation bush doctor who spent the morning teaching us about all of the uses for the plant life growing on the Discovery Grove property. Here we are harvesting Guinea grass which made it's way to St. Croix during the slave trade. We later produced a healthy and tasty chlorophyll juice from it!

Exploration of Ancient Taino Grounds

Riley's newly acquired skills

After learning the tradition of stilt walking, Riley thought she would try out her skills like a true "Moko jumbie!"

Steel Drum Lesson

Last night, a local high school student from Country Day School visited Discovery Grove to teach us about steel drums. T'Shaun informed us that the tradition of steel drumming originated in Trinidad. Slaves were banned from drumming their drums which eventually lead to drumming steel pans. His favorite style is calypso though he did play a few contemporary pieces for the kids as well!

Buck Island excursion

Despite the rainy start, we all enjoyed a spectacular snorkeling experience at the coral reef by Buck Island. We were greeted by two large barracuda, a hawk billed turtle, beautiful parrot fish, and an enormous school of blue tang fish! A BBQ lunch was served served on the beach just as the sun appeared to dry us all off!

Touring Christiansted

Christiansted was occupied by the Danes in 1753. These pictures were taken at Fort Christianvaern, where we "locked" Tommy in the dungeon. (Click on pictures to enlarge.)

My experience at the Boys and Girls Club

The feeling of nervousness is always present during a first meeting. However, there was only a fleeting moment of this feeling. Upon entering the Boys and Girls Club, we were instantly welcomed with open arms. A blessing of acceptance was performed to us as an overall greeting and we were taken in as family. Each of the Cape Henry students found a place amongst the children there. Playing games, helping with homework, and forming friendships that will always be remembered were all found in this wonderful experience. I, myself, became close to two 5th graders who were kind, funny, and loving. They made me feel as if I now had two little sisters and promised me that we would be in touch. Like many things that have been introduced to us on this trip, the Boys and Girls Club was completely life changing.

~ Allyson Clark

Boys and Girls Club

For two afternoons we enjoyed meaningful and rewarding experiences helping Crucian children with their homework and playing games! They taught us about their culture and language too! (Click on pictures to view full size image.)