Greetings from Bequia

Happy Wednesday! Student designed and led Camp Windsor Mountain 2.0 is now at it's half-way point and it's pretty incredible how smooth everything has become with the organization and energy level at camp. Each student seems to have a natural ability for working with children and have only further developed a knack for working with this population!!! We are so psyched to witness and experience this wonderful camp designed by this unique group of students!

Last night we had evening meeting on the beach, while looking up at the stars and counting each beautiful shooting star as it soared across the sky. Wading in the water, we were able to wave around our hands and feet and see HUNDREDS of bioluminesence (tiny micro-organisms that glow brightly when contacted) -it was beautiful! We just finished a delicious lunch of salted fish, plantains and coconut dumplings! Island life is really treating us well, not sure if we will be ready to leave in just about 8 days now!!!

Check out the new pictures!

For this week's "Student notes" we decided to let each student write out the accomplishments and contributions of their FELLOW group members. At the beginning of the program, each student was encouraged to serve as a "guardian angel" for another member of the group by drawing names out of a hat. For the past few weeks, students have been "looking after" their chosen person, and performing random acts of kindness for this person. So, enjoy these student notes....generated by another student on the program:

Arielle 'Furfy' Vallet (written by Lila): Ari has had a great week! In our Bequia camp, she's already taught dancing, singing, gladiator art (throwing paint-filled balloons) and a make-up class. This week, Ari has been a crucial part of our group discussions by speaking up and helping the group to compromise and make decisions. After trying Nutella for the first time this trip, Ari vows to eat it every day when she gets home! Lastly, Ari LOVES swimming everyday and is always up for an impromptu game of mafia!

Celeste 'Celestial Navigation' Mittman (written by Sarah): Celeste is an amazing girl with a much-needed sense of humor. Not only is her hilarity a great mood-lightener for the whole group, she's also incredible with the kids at camp. Her kickball class went stupendously and we're sure she'll do great the rest of the week. She loves eating raw pasta and is excited to make the rest of the trip the best ever!!

David 'Stinky foot' Kahn (written by Romi): Yesterday at camp David taught one of his Windsor Mountain favorites---gladiator art (making art using balloons full of paint)!! The kids were very enthusiastic and David seemed to be having a great time...he always seems to choose more adventurous classes to teach, such as Football Frisbee! During our group MMT, David established himself as a leader and a friend to everyone in the group and the community. He enjoys meeting the locals and exploring the culture. As an added bonus, he's always happy to DJ during our meal tmes, especially when he can play an endless amount of Bob Dylan's hits.

Theodore 'Sea Glasses' Klein (written by Jahlil): Theo aka "Grizzly" aka "The Man" is always the first person up and ready to entertain the kids at camp with his very popular ball or Frisbee games. When the campers enter the field, they are always excited to join a game of "ice-man" that he leads really well. At the apartment, Theo is always helping out in the kitchen whenever a meal is being made and everyone is always excited to have some of his homemade lemonade (that he makes from the lemons in our yard!). Theo is certainly a special member of the group.

Lila 'Lalaaarftumpyitylkerfecta' Rosenman (written by Celeste): Lila Roseman...what a beautiful name. I am so honored to be her guardian angel; but such a privilege comes with great responsibility. We have all been basking in Lila's glory and she has contributed so much to our group. Tonight for example, she made us the most amazing dinner and dessert we have had all trip! Lila has been learning a lot on this trip. She learned how to run a successful camp Olympics for 45+ kids all by herself. Lila is a gift to the group and has been thriving and growing from Bridge Caribbean.

Sarafina MacFadden (written by Theo): This week Sarah has been extremely energetic, helpful and just overall great to be around. She always offers her help and is the first to step up when it is needed. Her positive attitude and ever vital character has really brought a lot to the group; not only during group activities but at camp. She demonstrates intelligence and self confidence with her crafty language and cool clothing style. Not only has Sarah brought a lot to the camp but also to the community with a friendly face and a determined mindset. I feel that she is vital to the group.

Breanna 'Moguls' Page (written by David): Breanna has helped out with nearly everything during the past week while maintaining a positive attitude. She's great helping kids make bracelets in her classes and getting the attention of many children. LEADER NOTE: Breanna has taken on a huge leadership role at camp and we have especially been impressed by her ability to psych up her teams during whole-camp events!! YELLOW TEAM, YELLOW TEAM, YELLOW TEAM!!!

Romi 'Romils' Maletz (written by Arielle): Romi has added a lot of positive aspects to the group. Romi is very good with kids and always has a good time with them. Her cheerful sense of humor cheered the group up on numerous occasions. And all together she is a great asset to the group and to the Camp!

Jahlil 'Jacques Cousteau' Davis-Green (written by Breanna): JAHLILLLLLL is a very helpful person on this trip. He is always the first to get up to clean, so often that the counselors must yell at him to not clean. He is also one of the nicest people on this trip. He is extremely patient and also kind. I know that if I am having a bad day that I can come and talk to him. He teaches almost all the sports classes which is a big help considering the fact that I don't like to run. He is also amazing at mediating problems with the children. I don't know what this trip would be like without him. He is a vital part of this group!!