Virgin Islands Service

2 weeks

open to grades 8-12

Overview

Virgin Islands Service offers the chance to see the Caribbean, as few people ever do, by serving its communities and ecosystems in need.

On St Croix, we’ll begin by devoting our time to the island’s youth, as we provide reading support, mentorship and fun to children at a community center. During our second week, we’ll live and volunteer at a sustainable farm and learn about the challenges of island food production while helping to cultivate and harvest fresh produce. We’ll also help maintain the island’s natural beauty by doing conservation work. In the late afternoons, we will have a chance to experience and enjoy Caribbean life as we seek out the best beaches, hike on spectacular trails with ocean views and explore a tropical rain forest.

On our weekend together, we’ll enjoy a day of SCUBA diving instruction off the shores of St. Croix where we’ll have a chance to see beautiful fish and the impressive reefs that surround the island. At the end of our two weeks in the Caribbean, we’ll look back on the friendships we’ve formed and reflect on our service, knowing we’ve made a difference in a beautiful part of the world.

“Each year, Maddie returns with an increased level of confidence. She always glows for the remainder of the summer!" Tara Ruocco, Cold Springs Harbor, New York

Highlights

Reach out to the people of St. Croix
Learn about sustainable agriculture
Visit historic ruins & hike in beautiful settings
SCUBA dive St. Croix's reefs

Grade

For students completing grades 8-12 in June 2012

Multiple sections are grouped by grades

Call us (413-458-9672) to check on current availability

Start and End Location

Starts and ends in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands

Accommodations

12 nights total.

6 nights at Discovery Grove sleeping in cabins.

6 nights at the Virgin Island Sustainable Farm Institute in cabanas.

Dates and Fees

2 Weeks

Sunday, June 24 to Friday, July 6
Sunday, July 8 to Friday, July 20
Sunday, July 22 to Friday, August 3

$3295 (airfare not included)

Itinerary

Day 1 Trip Start

Virgin Islands Service starts in the Henry Rohlsen International Airport on St. Croix, where leaders will be on hand to meet students and help to collect baggage. From there we'll head to our group accommodations just outside of Christiansted to get to know each other before our service work starts the next day.

Days 2 - 6 Virgin Islands Sustainable Farm Institute

For one week we will live and volunteer at the Virgin Islands Sustainable Farm Institute. The VISFI believes local, organic agriculture and a practical educational experience are the first steps toward building vital communities and achieving long term sustainability within a healthy environment. Our students serve as "natural mentors" for children in the community to learn about sustainable agriculture and traditional island skills that have been passed down through generations. The Natural Mentors Program was selected by National Geographic magazine as a finalist for their "Geotourism Challenge" contest in 2009! With the help of the VISFI, we'll also get the opportunity to help replant the gardens at local schools in Frederiksted.

Days 7 - 8 Weekend Exploration

On the weekend we'll take time to hike through the lush rainforested mountains of St. Croix, explore uninhabited beaches, and swim in the clear blue ocean water. We'll spend a day learning how to SCUBA dive with a professional outfitter and explore life in the Virgin Islands underwater.

Days 9 - 12 Children's Center

We will partner with the Children's Center in Christiansted for a one-week mentorship program with local children where our students will act as one-on-one mentors. Our work will focus on reading and literacy and the children we work with will benefit from the confidence and attention our Overland group can bring them. During our week at the Children's Center, we'll live at Discovery Grove, a beautiful retreat in St. Croix. In the afternoons during both weeks of the program, we will have ample opportunity to enjoy the crystal clear water and abundant marine life in between our service work on St. Croix.

Day 13 Trip End

After a fun final dinner and reflection on all that we have accomplished during our two weeks together, we will bid our group goodbye and fly home with memories to last a lifetime.

PLEASE NOTE: When multiple sections of this program are run, students will be grouped according to age and will participate in all above activities and service projects, but not necessarily in the order described. Additionally, the nature of service trips means working with non-profits, schools, community centers, and other organizations with changing schedules and needs. We do our best to plan as far in advance as possible and be as accurate in our itineraries as we can, but projects and organizations can change and an ability to be flexible is necessary. We will continue to refine and update this program's itinerary throughout the spring.

“The program was great and the leaders even greater, if that is possible." Anna Stotis, Glencoe, Illinois

Trip Details

Service Hours

35 hours of service

Students: Is this the right trip for you?

Virgin Islands Service requires a positive attitude and a willingness to work hard as teen summer service volunteers. The trail work on Virgin Islands Service makes this program physically challenging, as we'll work hard to build and restore trails. Participants should be eager to take part in a variety of service projects and be ready for both the challenges and rewards that service work in the Virgin Islands has to offer.

Keep in mind that your enjoyment of your trip will hinge on certain factors:

1. Your motivation. It's not always easy—you must be motivated!

2. Your desire to hike and do trail work. We'll spend much of our three weeks in the Virgin Islands working hard on trails and other outdoor projects.

3. Your commitment to teamwork. Overland trips require compromise, patience and selflessness. Support your trip leaders and your trips mates, and you'll find that you will have a great experience!

Please note that some of the service opportunities your group pursues will depend on the needs of the community and available service opportunities. We ask for students' flexibility in the service projects we pursue in the Virgin Islands.

“Overland succeeded in giving me an experience of a lifetime." Lily Mehta, Birmingham, Michigan

Photos

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Enrollment Forms

Enrollment Forms 2012

Virgin Islands Service Release Forms

Prepare & Pack

Preparing for Your Trip

Virgin Islands Service combines meaningful person-to-person mentorship and demanding outdoor service that require dedication, selflessness and hard work in a setting of breathtaking beauty.

Before Your Trip

Begin your preparations for a great summer now by organizing your luggage, clothing and gear.
As the summer nears, stay active and fit through sports and exercise. The more you prepare, the more you will enjoy your program.
Once your program starts, commit yourself wholeheartedly to your group and all of its activities.

Packing for Your Program

On service programs we travel light —we cannot emphasize this enough.
Please stick to the following guidelines when packing for your program; your group will have access to laundry on a weekly basis.
Be sure to bring comfortable clothes that can get dirty and worn while volunteering.
Be sure to tag all items with your name, address and phone number.
Please do not bring any type of knife or multi-tool (e.g., Swiss Army Knife, Leatherman).

Luggage

Duffel Bag
The dimensions of the duffel bag should not exceed 24"L x 13"W x 11"H. We recommend checking out duffel bags from EMS, REI and L.L. Bean as guidelines for size.

Day Pack
For weekend excursions and day hikes. The day pack should be a regular school backpack with two shoulder straps, large enough to fit a rain coat, water and snacks. It must be worn on both shoulders (satchels and one strap bags will not be appropriate for day hikes and weekend excursions). Use your day pack to carry essentials on the plane (but do not use this bag as additional luggage space).

Clothing

Sturdy Sneakers or Light Hiking Boots
One pair. Comfortable shoes to wear around all day while volunteering, doing work outside and on day hikes.

Sport Sandals
One pair. Sturdy enough for muddy or wet service projects.

Flip Flops
Optional.

Waterproof Raincoat.
Your rain jacket must be waterproof -- not just water or wind resistant.

Long Pants
One sturdy pair for service work.

Fleece Pullover or Sweatshirt
One only

Comfortable Shorts or Skirts
Two; one pair of shorts must be suitable for day hikes.

Shirts
Five short-sleeve shirts or tank tops; one long-sleeve shirt.

Underwear
Seven pairs.

Socks
Five pairs.

Pajamas
One pair.

Gear & Miscellaneous

Student ID
Current school identification or driver's license (if you have one)

Toiletries
All travel size

Water Bottle.
Any kind, to stay hydrated out in the sun.

Leather Work Gloves.
One pair. For trail work.

Sunglasses & Hat.
With visor (e.g., baseball hat).

Beach Towel.
One.

Towel for Showering.
Small towel.

Flashlight or headlamp.
For personal use around the cabana at night. Mandatory.

Reading & Recreation Items.
To share with your reading buddy: a couple of your favorite easy-to-read children's books and a favorite children's chapter book (e.g., Charlotte's Web or Charlie and the Chocolate Factory).

Sunscreen (SPF 30+), Chapstick (with SPF protection) & Insect Repellent (two bottles).

Camera/Batteries/Memory Card.
Optional.

Journal & Pen
Optional.

Spending Money
$50/week is a suggested amount for souvenirs, gifts and necessities (like more sunscreen if you run out, or stamps and envelopes to mail letters).

Cell Phones, Electronics and Personal Property

Please note the following important policies:

Our programs offer the opportunity to strengthen independence and self-reliance. To maximize these benefits, we do not permit phone calls to or from our students (except in the case of emergency).

If it is important for your son or daughter to be able to call you while en route to Overland, we recommend that you purchase an inexpensive phone card that your son or daughter can use at any airport pay phone.

If you feel that it is necessary to send your son or daughter with a phone, please do not send an expensive smart phone like an iPhone or BlackBerry. Send an inexpensive prepaid cell phone instead. On arrival we will collect all phones but we have found that safeguarding these phones is problematic given that our programs move from place to place. Despite our best efforts over $25,000 in phones have been lost, damaged or stolen in the last two years alone. We regret that due to the expense involved in replacing these items, we take absolutely no responsibility whatsoever for phones, electronics or personal property brought by students and we will not make any reimbursements for lost, damaged or stolen phones, electronics or personal property.

Communications

To maximize independence and self-reliance, we do not permit phone calls, emails or text messages to or from our students (except in the case of an emergency).
Your child will call home with our phones and assistance on arrival and departure if he/she flies to his/her program.
In the case of an emergency, we will make sure you are in touch with your child as soon as possible.

Cell Phones

Cell phone use is prohibited on all Overland programs.
Any phone brought by a student will be collected by us on arrival and returned at departure.
If you decide to bring a phone, do not bring an expensive smartphone (e.g., iPhone or BlackBerry); instead bring an inexpensive prepaid cell phone (better yet, bring an inexpensive prepaid calling card).

Personal Electronics

We do not permit personal electronics (e.g., iPods, Kindles or iPads) except for digital cameras.
We do not permit emergency response or GPS tracking electronics.
Any electronics brought by a student will be collected by us on arrival and mailed home or returned at departure.

Personal Property

Overland is not responsible for any student’s personal property—including but not limited to: phones, electronics, cameras, equipment, bicycles and clothing. Please schedule all expensive items on your homeowners insurance policy to ensure that your child/ward’s personal property and equipment is covered against loss, damage or theft.

No Reimbursements for Lost, Damaged or Stolen Phone, Electronics and Personal Property

Despite taking precautions, some phones, electronics and personal property brought by students (and collected by us) have been lost, damaged or stolen. We regret that due to the expense involved in replacing these items, we take absolutely no responsibility whatsoever for phones, electronics or personal property brought by students and we will not make any reimbursements for lost, damaged or stolen phones, electronics or personal property.

Questions or concerns? Please call us. Your understanding and cooperation are appreciated.

Travel Information

Families are responsible for making travel arrangements to and from St. Croix. Overland’s leaders will be on hand at the airport to provide supervision and assistance at trip start and end.

DROP OFF: Henry E. Rohlsen Intl Airport (St. Croix, STX) Baggage Claim, 12:30 p.m. Sunday
PICK UP: Henry E. Rohlsen Intl Airport (St. Croix, STX) at American Check-In Area, 11:00 a.m. Friday
FLIGHT ARRIVAL: Henry E. Rohlsen Intl Airport (St. Croix, STX) between 12:00 noon and 4:00 p.m. Sunday
FLIGHT DEPARTURE: Henry E. Rohlsen Intl Airport (St Croix, STX) between 8:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon Friday

Any other special cases, please call Overland to coordinate, if you have not done so already.

Flight & Travel Information 2012

Program Start & End Information 2012

Mail Stops

During the trip, students may receive mail sent to the below addresses. Please refere to your program's section number to find your mail stop. If you don't know what section you are, please call our office to find out.

Mail Notes:

1) On the lower left corner of the envelope, please write:
Please hold for Overland VIS Group __ ."
2) These mail stops are to United States Postal Service (USPS) P.O. Boxes. Do not attempt to send mail to your child using FedEx, UPS, DHL or any other express mail or courier service. They will be refused by the USPS. Please only use US Postal Service mail services.

Virgin Islands Service 1A (VIS 1A)

Mail Stop #1 - must arrive before June 20

Student's Name, Overland/VIS 1A
c/o Virgin Islands Sustainable Farm Institute
PO Box 2903
Frederiksted, St. Croix USVI 00841

Mail Stop #2 - must arrive before July 5

Student's Name, Overland/VIS 1A
c/o Discovery Grove
PO Box 838
Christiansted, St. Croix USVI 00821

Virgin Islands Service 1B (VIS 1B)

Mail Stop #1 - must arrive before June 30

Student's Name, Overland/VIS 1B
c/o Discovery Grove
PO Box 838
Christiansted, St. Croix USVI 00821

Mail Stop #2 - must arrive before July 5

Student's Name, Overland/VIS 1B
c/o Virgin Islands Sustainable Farm Institute
PO Box 2903
Frederiksted, St. Croix USVI 00841

Virgin Islands Service 2A (VIS 2A)

Mail Stop #1 - must arrive before July 13

Student's Name, Overland/VIS 2A
c/o Virgin Islands Sustainable Farm Institute
PO Box 2903
Frederiksted, St. Croix USVI 00841

Mail Stop #2 - must arrive before July 19

Student's Name, Overland/VIS 2A
c/o Discovery Grove
PO Box 838
Christiansted, St. Croix USVI 00821

Virgin Islands Service 2B (VIS 2B)

Mail Stop #1 - must arrive before July 13

Student's Name, Overland/VIS 2B
c/o Discovery Grove
PO Box 838
Christiansted, St. Croix USVI 00821

Mail Stop #2 - must arrive before July 19

Student's Name, Overland/VIS 2B
c/o Virgin Islands Sustainable Farm Institute
PO Box 2903
Frederiksted, St. Croix USVI 00841

Virgin Islands Service 3A (VIS 3A)

Mail Stop #1 - must arrive before July 27

Student's Name, Overland/VIS 3A
c/o Virgin Islands Sustainable Farm Institute
PO Box 2903
Frederiksted, St. Croix USVI 00841

Mail Stop #2 - must arrive before August 2

Student's Name, Overland/VIS 3A
c/o Discovery Grove
PO Box 838
Christiansted, St. Croix USVI 00821

Virgin Islands Service 3B (VIS 3B)

Mail Stop #1 - must arrive before July 27

Student's Name, Overland/VIS 3B
c/o Discovery Grove
PO Box 838
Christiansted, St. Croix USVI 00821

Mail Stop #2 - must arrive before August 2

Student's Name, Overland/VIS 3B
Bc/o Virgin Islands Sustainable Farm Institute
PO Box 2903
Frederiksted, St. Croix USVI 00841

Helpful Reminders

Checklist and Reminders 2011

Apply Now

HOW TO APPLY

You have two choices. You can apply online with a credit card by clicking the link below.

Apply Online

Or you can download the 2012 Overland Application as a PDF (you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader).

Then mail your completed one-page application and $795 deposit check to:

Overland
P.O. Box 31
Williamstown, MA 01267

For overnight mail via UPS or FedEx, please use our street address:

Overland
63 Spring Street
Williamstown, MA 01267

Applications are reviewed in the order in which they arrive at our office and we cannot hold spots over the phone.

Learn about our admissions process.

Conrad Clevlen

Hometown: Austin, Texas
School: Notre Dame de Namur University
Leadership: Virgin Islands Service
More about Conrad »

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