Dear Tonia,

We are having so much fun with kids in the Park this summer! There is something blessed in seeing the joy on the face of a child being taught how to drum by Mr. Eddie Bruce or how to blow a conch shell by Mr. Ital Anthony.

At Friends of Virgin Islands National Park, we believe that the future of conservation lies in our youth and instilling an appreciation and passion for nature and history in them is essential. As writer and educator, Neil Postman said, "Children are the living messages we send to a time we will not see."

Our vision is to create a pipeline of environmental education experiences for youth from preschool to college, and beyond! Together with the help of supporters like you, we offer a robust summer program as well as classroom sessions, swimming lessons, field trips, internships, scholarships, and employment opportunities to Virgin Island youth throughout the year.

Virgin Islands National Park is such a beautiful gift! I hope that the joy of discovery and fun is as a much a part of your summer as it is ours!

Warmly,

Summer In The Park

SUMMER TRAIL CREW

Summer Trail Crew is an eight-week summer job opportunity for Virgin Island high school students ages 15 to 18!  The program includes hot, sweaty trail and ruin maintenance work as well as education sessions on flora, fauna, history and culture, and a Friday funday with opportunities to enjoy the Park like boat trips, snorkeling, kayaking and paddle boarding.

One of our favorite programs, this year three of the crew are back for their third summer of hard work and fun learning about conservation!

SUMMER CAMP CURRICULA

Summer camps have begun! Friends of Virgin Islands National Park is supporting the summer camps of Department of Sports, Parks and Recreation, Boys and Girls Club, the Art and Literacy Initiative, Gifft Hill School, and campers from St. Thomas Yvonne E Milliner Bowsky Elementary and the Rising Stars Youth Steel Pan Orchestra with a combination of in-water swim lessons through our Learn to Swim Program and onshore educational presentations, Park visits and hikes through our School Kids in the Park (SKIP) Program. 

LEARN TO SWIM

The free swim classes that Friends offers all ages (4+) at Cinnamon on the first and third Saturday of the month run through most of the year and during the summer are supplemented by multiple sessions for campers.

Friends believes that everyone on our island should be able to swim. More than a safety issue, being able to swim opens up a world of joy above and below the water as well as employment opportunities in the tourism and marine industries and in areas like marine research and conservation. Thank you to our supporters and members who make it possible for us to offer free swim classes!

Turtle Nesting Season

July 1 is the start of turtle season for the awesome volunteers who patrol our beaches looking out for nests from July to November. In all 90 volunteers check 40 beaches — many of them daily!

Last season 2,491 green and hawksbill hatchlings made it to the sea thanks to their dedication!  

SEA TURTLE HOTLINES

• Report turtle tracks and nesting activity on St. John to vinpturtles@friendsvinp.org or (760) 470-8995. Do not disturb the area or walk on the crawl. Take photos. 
• Report mistreatment of turtles in the Park to NPS Park Rangers: (866) 995-8467 
• Report turtles in distress or stranded throughout the USVI to the STAR network: (340) 690-0474

New Plan Your Snorkel App

Photo: Dr Caroline Rogers

The Plan Your Snorkel App is your guide to exploring the underwater beauty of St. John. Whether you're a seasoned snorkeler or a newbie, our new app helps you plan your snorkeling adventures within the Virgin Islands National Park. The app includes an interactive map of snorkel spots and a fish and marine creature identifier.

There is a particular magic to exploring the marine world. Please snorkel safely and responsibly. Check out the tips on our website to help keep you safe and protect creatures in the marine world.

Power Swim Crowdfunding Winner

Congratulations and thanks to Kelly Papa from Califon, NJ! Kelly was the top fundraiser during Joe's Beach To Beach Power Swim raising an awesome $910. She won a gift bag from the Park Store plus a half day boat trip for 6 on Salt Deck donated by Salty Daze Charters. 

Every Memorial Day weekend, swimmers take to the beautiful waters of Virgin Islands National Park on St. John to raise funds for kids' swim programs, marine conservation, education outreach and more! Thank you to everyone who supports this event!

Implementation of New National Park Service Commercial Use Authorizations Policy at Virgin Islands National Park Public Meeting

Local communities of St. John and St. Thomas are invited to a public meeting at the new Resources Management and Science conference room at Lind Point on Wednesday, July 10 at 5:45PM. The meeting will provide an overview of the new concession management policies that govern new online Commercial Use Authorizations (CUA). A shuttle will be provided from the Cruz Bay Visitor Center at 5:30PM local time and leave Lind Point at 6:45PM.

Virgin Islands National Park Safety Advisory Regarding North Shore Road Vegetation Clearance

Vegetation will be cleared from the shoulders of North Shore Road (Route 20) mid June to Mid July. Intermittent single lane closures may be in place during this time.

Wood Keychain

$8

Love Turtle Tee

$30

Passport Stickers

$3

Trails Map

$5

STJ Map Cap

$30

Birds Of West Indies

$28