Camp GROW

It is hard to believe that almost 8 months have passed since I left the U.S. to begin my Peace Corps service in Antigua. Where has the time gone??? It's a bit of a blur. There are days when someone asks me what i've been working on and I can't seem to figure it out myself. One way to describe my time thus far would be to think of a seedling tray. In this incredibly nerdy metaphor the seeds represent ideas, projects or partnerships with local community members and groups. **Seeds must go through several stages of development before being ready to sprout and once they are ready they need certain things (warmth, water and oxygen) in order to do so. The same applies for my metaphorical seeds**

Ive planted dozens of seeds in dozens of trays over the past 7 months, mostly metaphorical and a few literal (I must say my basil is doing quite well!) Most of these seeds never sprouted. Maybe they didn't get enough oxygen or support from the community. Maybe they just weren't ready. Many of the seeds that did initially sprout have since shrivled up. Too much sun light, too small of a pot, or not enough resources to see it into fruition.

I won't lie. Its frustrating to spend time and energy on an idea or a project that never even sprouts. But as time has passed I have become profoundly aware that the work is not done in vain. The lessons hidden within the unsprouted seeds are sometimes the greatest.

That being said, its really really exciting to see one of your seedlings sprout and transform from an idea to an actual project! Camp GROW (Gaining a Respect for the Outdoors and our World) is one of these projects.

Camp GROW is a partneship between myself and a fellow Peace Corps Volunteer, The Environmental Awareness Group, and The Gilbert Agricultural and Rural Development Center. It seeks to bring youth from around Antigua together for two weeks this summer to have fun and get their hands dirty while cultivating an appreciation and understanding of the natural environment and its links to healthy, sustainable communities.

Camp GROW was recently added to the Peace Corps Partnership Program Website, which means that you can now help fund this project by making donations!! Woohoo!! If you aren't able to donate but you are willing to spread the word to your family and friends, thats great too! Also, if you work for a company that matches employee's charitable donations please keep that in mind. We have already recieved some tremendous community support to fund this project but we need all the help we can get!

To learn more about Camp GROW or make a donation, please visit: https://www.peacecorps.gov/index.cfm?shell=donate.contribute.projDetail&projdesc=538-008
If you have any questions about this project or anything else I am working on in Antigua, please don't hesitate to contact me. I'd love to hear from you!

Hoping this post finds you all happy, healthy and enjoying the spring weather. So far the highlight of spring in Antigua is the start of mango season! Yum Yum Yum

6th Graders learning important lessons about conservation, ecosytems, and engangered species while enjoying a day away from the chalkboard