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Follow Our Journey! Alpha 4, Charlie, Foxtrot, Sierra 3 – Days 1 & 2

By wpdev August 9, 2023

   

   

Written by Nora E., Social Media Coordinator

It was all smiles on the Hodges Creek Marina docks yesterday as the staff got ready to welcome our new program. It is a bit bittersweet as it is our last program of the summer but nonetheless, we were all so excited to say hello to some new campers. With our normal 16 boats out during the summer turning into 4 boats for the program, it was a lot of cleaning and organizing yesterday. We each were helping clean boats so they were ready to be checked back into the charter company. But very soon after, it was time for the campers to arrive after their long journeys to the BVI.

   

   

After their arrival, they had a nice meal of rice and beans, chicken, veggies, and coleslaw. Then, they had time to settle in, get to know each other, and unpack before shutting their eyes and going to sleep after a long day.

   

   

   

The next morning each boat had a wonderful breakfast buffet of bagels, cereal, yogurt, and fruit. Then, they each had an orientation with our Sail Caribbean Divers staff on what certifications they could get, how to get them, and what gear is needed. They had time to go through the dive shop to get gear or just get some souvenirs. Soon after, it was time to prepare to de dock and set sail to our first stop: Norman Island.

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

 

Each crew had a de docking lesson, raising sails lesson, and picking up mooring ball lessons today as they made their way from Hodges Creek Marina on Tortola to The Bight on Norman Island. Once we all arrived here, each of the kids jumped in the water for the first time to do their swim test and hang out on the lillypads or show off their jumping skills. Shortly after, the dive boat showed up at Norman Island to pick up all of the divers. One of the campers went on his first fun dive of the summer and said he saw so many cool fish! Then, some campers had the chance to go on our 26 foot keel boats called Colgates or go tubing and wake boarding. After a long day, each boat started to power down under the beautiful sunset and prepare for the next day.

Below are our three boats for the fleet: Jelliblu, Blue Buddha, and Samoa.

   

   

The greatest challenge during the program was staying entertained during the quarantine period. Not being able to leave your boat and not having a phone, which was a crutch against boredom, it was difficult at first to stay entertained.