Love City Impact Retreat Itinerary

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Participants travel to St. Thomas, and then take the ferry from Redhook to Cruz Bay, St. John.  The trip guides will welcome and  transport you and your luggage from the ferry dock to our campground at Cinnamon Bay. Orientation will follow our dinner prepared by the guides.

The private campground we stay in consists of large stand-up tents on platforms with cots, open air kitchen and dining tables and bath houses. The tents can house up to three participants, we generally have two occupants per tent.  Should you arrive prior to Day 1, the guides will arrange for an afternoon pick-up time for you at the docks. 

Each morning begins with hot coffee and breakfast prepared at camp by all. We will also pack our lunches and snacks before leaving for our service projects. All work is accomplished within the National Park with the Friends of the Park. They will provide the tools needed for the day's project.  A typical workday begins at 8:30am and ends by 2pm. Throughout the workday, we will  take several hydration and snack breaks and enjoy our relaxing lunch picnic.

Following our work, we play! The group beach hops each afternoon to some of the best beaches in the world! A few have concessions where you can purchase island libations and rent gear. Snorkeling and swimming with sea turtles is to be anticipated!  Snorkel gear rental will be coordinated for those who wish to partake throughout the week. Other activities to choose from include shopping at the boutiques, jewelers and  gift shops, or returning to camp to unwind and enjoy Cinnamon Bay Beach.

Each workday concludes with dinner at camp that we all take part in. These aren't your typical "fire side" camp meals. The menu has been crafted to provide healthy, delicious, island inspired dishes that will fuel us and satisfy us after a long wonderful day.

In the evenings, we take time for relaxation and  reflection on the day. These opportunities include night swims, guided journaling, group reflections,  and entertaining games! 

Wednesday

is our private excursion day and day off from service!  A day out on the water riding the waves in a 42' powerboat, enjoying cool drinks, snorkeling in secluded cays and around reefs only accessed by boat, lunching and relaxing on Water Island midday. Following our excursion, we dine alfresco in Cruz Bay. It is a great night on the town with the ladies! Participants either taxi home to camp or arrange pick-up times with the guides.

Friday we all return to camp following our final service day. You can either take time for yourself at camp, enjoy Cinnamon Bay Beach, or taxi to town.  The guides prepare and serve a heavy appetizer meal and conclude with a small presentation and reflection of the week. Following the ceremony, the group ventures into Cruz Bay to enjoy the night life of Love City.

Saturday is your day! One long, slow day on this jewel of the Caribbean. You can spend it with others from the retreat or venture of on your own. Breakfast will be provided before we explore!

Sunday we conclude our time together with our final breakfast. On this morning you will write a letter to yourself that will be mailed to you by the guides a year later. This reflective writing time helps to provide closure to the trip and to remind you of your time on the island. We leave camp better than we found it by cleaning up together! The guides will provide transportation from the camp to the ferry docks. Some participant do stay longer on the islands and we will do our best to accommodate your transportation needs to your next travel destination.