Dec. 10, 2008 — The Friends of V.I. National Park seminars are filling fast, so sign up before it's too late.
"They're a great way to learn more about the national park and the people who work in the park," said Friends Program Manager Audrey Penn.
The seminars cover culture, arts and crafts, natural history, and much more. They include boat and kayaking trips and are held at diverse locations around St. John.
Friends members get a price reduction. Children under 12 receive 50 percent off, except on boat trips. Each seminar has a maximum group size that varies according to the subject.
The seminars begin Jan. 10 with a "Glimpse into St. John's Past," featuring St. John elder Guy Benjamin and others. They'll share memories of their youth in the early 1900s, a time when only a couple hundred homes existed on St. John and donkeys served as transportation. It runs from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Flamingo Club in Coral Bay. The fee is $30.
On Jan. 12, enjoy a Full Moon Hike to the top of Ram Head with Park Ranger Don Near. Participants will learn about the area's natural and cultural history. It runs from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Meet at the Salt Pond parking lot with hiking shoes, flashlight, snack and water. The fee is $35.
The Archeology Boat Trip floats from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jan. 17. Park archaeologist Ken Wild showcases archeology along St. John's shores aboard the motor vessel Sadie Sea. Bring snorkel gear, lunch, water, towel and sunscreen. The fee is $85.
On Jan. 19, master drummer Eddie Bruce teaches Afro-Caribbean Drumming at the St. John School of the Arts. It runs from noon to 2 p.m. Bring a drum if you have one. The fee is $35.
Local natural jewelry maker Alton Evans shows how to make Home Grown Jewelry, including necklaces, earrings and bangles from 9 a.m. to noon Jan. 21. Meet at St. John School of the Arts. The fee is $45.
Snorkel St. John reefs with National Park Service biologist Jeff Miller from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jan. 24 on the Marine Biology Boat Trip aboard the motor vessel Hey Now. Possible destinations include Waterlemon Cay, Congo and Lovango Cays, as well as Honeymoon Bay. Bring snorkel gear, lunch, water, towel and sunscreen. The fee is $80.
On Jan. 26, explore the History of Steel Pan music and learn to play with Samuel Lawrence of Trinidad's WITCO Desperados. It runs from 1 to 6 p.m. Meet at the Love City Pan Dragons pan yard, located across from the Cruz Bay Fire Station. Bring a notebook and a snack. The fee is $75.
Take a Reptile Hike along the Reef Bay Trail with reptile expert Renata Platenberg. Meet at the park Visitors' Center, but return to the same location aboard the motor vessel Sadie Sea. Bring hiking shoes, water, snack and bug repellent. The fee is $45.
Kayak the Mangroves of Hurricane Hole with scientist Barry Devine, stopping to snorkel in the mangroves and sea grass beds. Lunch is included. It runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 31. Meet at Skinny Legs Restaurant and Bar in Coral Bay to carpool. Bring snorkel gear, water, towel and sunscreen. The fee is $75.
From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 7, go on a Botanical Hike with botanist Eleanor Gibney through the dry-land habitats of Drunk Bay. Meet at Saltpond parking lot. Bring sunscreen, hat, snack, water and hiking shoes. The fee is $40.
Artist Idolia Scimeca shows participants how to make woven bags from plastic grocery bags in Eco Weaving. It runs from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Feb. 8 at the St. John School of the Arts. Bring scissors and crochet hooks. The fee is $35.
On Feb. 15, local artist Livy Hitchcock teaches a Pastel Workshop at Caneel Bay Resort. It runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Meet at the Caneel Bay parking lot with drinking water and a snack. Wear old clothes. The fee is $75.
Join artist Annie Caswell at a Spirit Doll Workshop Feb. 19. It runs from 9 a.m. to noon. Meet at Skinny Legs to carpool. Bring ideas and found items to create the Spirit Doll. The fee is $60.
Park archaeologist Ken Wild runs the second Archeology Boat Trip of the series Feb. 21. It runs from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. aboard the motor vessel Hey Now. Bring snorkel gear, lunch, water, towel and sunscreen. The fee is $85.
Enjoy an Eco Spa Day at Salt Pond with Park Ranger Deanna Somerville while learning about the pond's healing mineral properties and other organic spa materials. It runs from 2 to 4 p.m. Feb. 22. Meet at Saltpond parking lot with an old swimsuit, towel, water and snack. The fee is $35.
From 1 to 6 p.m. Feb. 28, take a Fish Identification Sail aboard the sailing vessel Breath. Park Ranger Laurel Brannick will show you the ropes as she conducts a fish count for the non-profit group REEF. Meet at Skinny Legs parking lot at 12:30 p.m. with snorkel gear, lunch, water, towel and sunscreen. The fee is $85.
On March 1, mythologist Kelley Hunter and amateur astronomer Rich Greengold explain the Stars and their Stories. It runs from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Meet at Sun Dog Café to carpool to the L'Esperance trail head. Bring a blanket, flashlight, pillow and binoculars if you have them. The fee is $40.
Head for Congo and Lovango Cays aboard a Beach Cat Adventure Sail with guide Han Winogrond of Sail Safaris. It runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 4. Meet at the Cruz Bay dock with snorkel gear, sunscreen, hat, water and lunch. The fee is $80.
On March 7, Hidden Reef Eco Tours leads the Kayak the Mangroves of Hurricane Hole tour. It runs from 1 to 4:45 p.m. Stop for a snorkel in the mangroves and over sea grass beds. Meet at Skinny Legs to carpool. Bring a snack, water, snorkel gear and a towel. The fee is $55.
From 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. March 8, snorkel St. John's reefs with park marine biologist Carrie Stengel on a Marine Biology Sail aboard the catamaran Calypso. Possible destinations include Waterlemon Cay, Congo and Lovango Cays and Honeymoon Bay. Meet at Margarita Phil's restaurant with sunscreen, lunch and snorkel gear. The fee is $85.
Idolia Scimeca holds another Eco Weaving class from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. March 14 at the St. John School of the Arts. Participants will learn to make woven bags from plastic grocery bags. Bring scissors and crochet hooks. The fee is $35.
On March 15, enjoy a Native Plant Hike with botanist and plant ecologist Gary Ray. The rigorous hike runs from 8 a.m. to noon at Salt Pond's trail to Ram Head. Meet at Salt Pond parking lot with sunscreen, hat, snack, water and hiking shoes. The fee is $35.
The park's chief of resource management, Rafe Boulon, leads a Coastal Ecology trip from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 21 aboard the motor vessel Sadie Sea. Meet at the park's Visitors' Center dock with lunch, water, sunscreen and snorkel gear. The fee is $85.
From 12:45 to 4:30 p.m. March 22 join park ranger and turtle specialist Christy McManus for a Sea Turtle Sail to Buck Island, St. Thomas, aboard the Castaway Girl II. Meet at the Charlotte Amalie waterfront. Bring sunscreen, hat, snack, snorkel gear and a swimsuit. The fee is $70.
On March 25, tour the park's archives on a private Park Archive Tour and Slideshow with museum curator Susanna Pershern. The slideshow features rarely seen and historic images. It runs from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Meet at the park's maintenance area next to Mongoose Junction shopping center. The fee is $35.
Learn to make Traditional West Indian Beverages such as maubi, tamarind, soursop, hibiscus, lime and passionfruit with teacher Joyce Sprauve. It runs from 10 a.m. to noon March 28. Meet in front of Julius E. Sprauve School. The fee is $35.
Livy Hitchcock runs the second Pastels Workshop from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 29 at Caneel Bay. Meet at the Caneel Bay parking lot with water, snack and wearing old clothes. The fee is $75.
The second Spirit Doll Workshop is set for 9 a.m. to noon April 2. Artist Annie Caswell explains different cultures and the magic of the Spirit Doll. Meet at Skinny Legs for carpooling with ideas and found items. The fee is $60.
From 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 4, U.S. Geological Service marine ecologist Carol
ine Rogers leads a Coral Reef Boat Tour aboard the motor vessel Sadie Sea. Meet at the park's Visitors' Center dock with snorkel gear, towel, sunscreen and snack. The fee is $75.
Participate in a Caribbean Garden Workshop with Irene Patton. She'll explore the pleasures and challenges of gardening in St. John's semi-arid climate. Meet at Sun Dog Café in Mongoose Junction to carpool. The fee is $25.
Join snorkel guide Lucy Portlock on a Snorkel Tour of uninhabited cays and bays aboard the motor vessel Cinnamon Bay. You must be comfortable swimming in water over your head. Meet at the park's Visitors' Center dock with snorkel gear, towel, sunscreen, water and snack. The fee is $55.
The series wraps up with a Green Building House Tour from 10 a.m. to noon April 18. Join architect Rob Crane, who helped found the Island Green Building Association, on a tour of homes built with alternative and eco-friendly building components. Meet at Sun Dog Café at Mongoose Junction shopping center to carpool. The fee is $35.
To make a reservation, call 340-779-4940 or send an email .
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