St. Croix Day 8

After waking up on our last full day in paradise we headed down to eat breakfast. After breakfast we set out on our adventure to Buck Island. After a short car ride we had a thirty minute boat ride out of Cristansted to Buck Island. After arriving at the east end Buck Island we snorkeled the underwater trail there that was installed by the park service. It has signs fixed on the bottom that let you know about the many species of coral and fish that live in that particular reef. We saw many creatures during our time there including nurse and reef sharks, barracudas, and green sea turtles. After our snorkel we headed to the west side of the island to hangout at the beach. After being at the beach for about an hour half of the group took the Buck Island challenge, which was a hot and dry hike up the mountain to the look out point from a deck. After arriving back from the hike we hung around at the beach for another hour and then headed back to the marina. After we got off the boat we piled in the the van to head back to the DG. On our way back we stopped to get some shaved ice from a local favorite spot called Fraco's. After getting back to DG we started gathering fire wood for a bonfire to pass time around on our last night. Now it's time to light the fire and kick back. See you tomorrow!

Alex and Ethan

Day 7 in St. Croix

Day 7 in St. Croix: It was yet another beautiful day. We started off the day with a nutritious breakfast, followed by a hike. We hiked the East End Marine Park. We hiked down to the beach and from there we snorkeled. We saw many incredible things such as a stingray, gorgeous coral, conch, sand dollars, and many species of fish. After hiking and snorkeling, we made our way into town hungry and wet. From there we ate our packed lunches and proceeded to souvenir shop. All the girls got matching silver hook bracelets.  After our shopping spree, we went back to the girls and boys club for the second time. This time we bought hula hoops, pencils, playdo, and many other arts and crafts things snd presented them with the items. The kids really appreciated what we brought them. We stayed for about two hours working on homework and playing games and then we went down to the Fredricksted pier where we scuba dived. It was an amazing way to cool off after a long day. After that we came back to Discovery Grove to shish kabobs, which were very tasty. It was a very jampacked exciting day just like the rest. 

-Elena & Olivia 🌴

Day 6 in St. Croix

It was another exciting day at St. Croix. After a great pancake and bacon breakfast, we headed out to Sejah Farm to learn about Cruzian farming. Dell showed us his crops and we got to try tarragon, lemongrass, gerkins, okra and passion fruit. He also showed us the animals that they raise.  They have chickens, geese, goats, sheep and a horse. It was very interesting to see the difference in the way they farm onisland compared to the way we farm at home. We returned to DG for lunch and then loaded up the van for a beach trip to do some snorkeling. We swam out pretty far until we got to the drop off, where we couldn't see the bottom any longer.  We hung out for a bit and then prepared ourselves for the next adventure. Tonight we were treated with pizza for dinner at the kayak launch site. Once it got dark we paddled out to the middle of a bioluminescent bay.  Brett describes it as the most astonishing thing she has ever seen. The bioluminescent bay is filled with dinoflagellates that glow as a result of a chemical reaction that occurs when the water is agitated. It was absolutely beautiful!! We got to swim in the water and then did some star gazing.  We all saw shooting stars. It was a magical night. 

Day 5 in St. Croix

Day 5 on STX: Today in St. Croix we started the day off with going to feed the chickens but, sadly, there were no eggs to be found. After all that fun we went to the dive shop. When we got there, we got fitted, watched a movie on how to dive, and tested out equipment. When we all were ready, we went on two open water dives. We saw eels, jellyfish, sea horses, a barracuda, and many more fascinating things. One of the groups' boat drivers gave everyone a local favorite: passion fruit lollipops, which were incredibly tasty. They were so good that we ended up going to Kmart to buy more and to get supplies for the boys and girls club. The dives took up most of the day so we didn't have much time before dinner but we did use that time wisely. During our small amount of free time, we made progress on our arts and crafts projects. Ty also brought a drum set for Aidan to play so that eye could all watch in amazement as he played it. At dinner we ate chicken tenders and sweet potato fries. For the most part, the day went by fast and we all had great experiences. 

- Aidan & Olivia 

Day 4 in St Croix

Day 4 on the island: This morning we woke up to another beautiful day in St Croix. It was day four, and we were ready for the day. After a delicious breakfast we planted a Chia and Breadfruit tree as our legacy. The purpose of planting the young trees is to help DG in its efforts to be incresingly sustainable. Ty shared with us that within a few years DG would like to be self-sustaining so that they are no longer reliant on store runs. After we finished digging and planting Veronica Gordon, a seventh generation Bush doctor, led us around DG and through the woods teaching us all about the different indigenous plants and their practical uses, from cooking to healing. One of the plants that we learned about was the Aloe bush. Aloe can be used for many things such as healing cuts, scrapes, and burns.  We also were introduced to the love leaf, a plant that you are supposed to write your significNt other's name on, put it in a book, and if it is still growing after a year and not dead then the couple is meant to be. After lunch most of us did arts and crafts. We made mugs, rings, and necklaces. The rest of us played games and swam in the pool. A little while later we went to the boys and girls club. The boys and girls club is a non- profit organization that provides a place for kids to go after school. When we first got there only a few kids were there. We played volleyball, basketball, and four square. Once the other kids started to arrive, we had something they called assembly. Our whole group got to go on stage and introduce ourselfs to the kids. After the introduction we split up to go help kids with their homework. For the rest of our time there, we hung out with the kids and played games. Today was really fun but it's time to head to circle up, our favorite time of the day, and reflect. Scuba diving tomorrow!

- Elena and Alex 

Day 3 in St. Croix

Day 3 at the DG: Once we woke up we put our bathing suits on and walked down to the buffet. We had a delicious breakfast and then headed for Salt River Bay to kayak. We learned many things while we were on our adventouras kayak trip such as the importance of the mangroves in the estuary system of the Salt River Bay. We also saw upsidedown jellyfish, iguanas, and paddled throught a boat graveyard. Another impact the hurricane had on our trip was we got the chance to ride some pretty gnarly waves in kayaks. We had lunch picnic style in the place we launched our kayaks from and while we were eating lunch we got the chance to see a centipede and hermit crabs larger than a baseball. Our next activity was making jewelry back at the DG with some of the shells we found during our paddle. We made necklaces, bracelets, and rings all from nature. Next, African dancers and drummers came and we learned traditional African dance moves. We also had a presentation on how to play the steel drum. Aidan quickly figured out how to play "lowrider" and the drummers were all blown away. Tonight was Carribean night and we had some amazing food from a local place called the Chicken Shack. Now we are cleaning up and getting ready for some fun circle up time! -Libby and Tucker

Day 2 in St. Croix

Day 2 in paradise: Waking up was easier today as I hopped up to get the day underway. This morning we woke up and had a traditional breakfast. After breakfast we all loaded up in the van and headed to the local farmer's market where we found the groceries we needed for our dinner, a lesson on island cooking, and new fruits that looked interesting. The new fruits that we picked out and tried were: star fruit, surgar apple, golden fruit, tamarind juice, sugar cane, egg fruit juice, hibiscus juice, mango butter, and guava. When we arrived back to Discovery Grove we chopped down coconuts and drank their water, ate their flesh, and used their oil. After that, we made island jerkey, coconut milk, and salsa. When we wrapped up the food-portion of the day, we departed for the beach to snorkel. Due from the recent hurricane the water was murky and unclear, but that didn't stop us. A few of us went on a hike, on which we found lots of cool shells and sand dollars. Also, at the beach we played several different games.  When the time came to leave we headed back to the DG and rinsed off before dinner. My hair is still held hostage by the sand, though, that has decided to make my head its home for the rest of my stay but I'll survive. The tacos and fresh fruit salad for dinner were amazing! As I sat at the dinner table talking about our day I realized how impressed I have been by everyone's willingness to try to new things and challenge themselves to get out of their comfort zones! Right now I am sitting around the guitars and singing and I can't wait to enjoy all of the things that are coming up during our stay on this incredible island! 

-Taylor Schoolar

Day one in st. Croix

Day 1 of our wonderful stay at Discovery Grove: We woke up and ate a breakfast of bagels, yogurt, and fresh fruit.  Our favorite are the hand picked mangos! After we ate our breakfast we worked on team building activities such as rock ninja, amoeba tag, and more. It helped us bond as well as improved our communication with one another.  When Ty first started with the games we were skeptical but we ended up having a fresh time.  After lunch we went to the beach where we saw a baby sea turtle making its way to ocean. Ty told us it was only the second time he had ever seen a single baby doing this before, so we felt pretty special. Aside from our little friend, the water that was absolutely breathtaking. The swell was strong which is rare in St.Croix since the waves are typically a quarter the size that they were today, so we enjoyed bodysurfing and boogie boarding that was "criss" as the locals would say. In addition, Trent shredded on a surfboard and everyone was shocked. We came back to Discovery Grove and went rock climbing after our cool down. Everyone had a great time climbing the wall of the sugar mill and ringing the bell that was at the top. Brett faced her fear and ended up ringing the bell after earlier considering getting down when she was only ten feet up the wall. We then had dinner and after that some of the girls made bracelets from plants while the rest of the gang played soccer. As we reflected on our day and thought about the ones to come, we all agreed that we cannot wait for the rest of the fun activities on the horizon!

A wonderful message by,

Brett and Trent