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Brown Kids at Water Camps Still in the Minority
OneBrownGirl.com Creator® Aims to Make a Difference with CampCaribe!
Oakland, CA (BlackNews.com) - A single mom sends her teen daughter to a boating excursion program where she will study the migration pattern of whales. Another set of parents send their two girls to a camp that teaches surfing while a third family sends their son on a sailing trip throughout the British West Indies. Other than the fact that these kids are lucky enough to experience water-based adventure camps, what these 3 families also have in common is that their children are the only Brown kids at camp.
Like these Brown children, OneBrownGirl.com® creator Tracey Friley grew up going to an all-girls island camp every summer where she was also the only little Brown Girl at camp. And like most kids, she was too busy having a good time to notice her minority status. Fast forward two decades later, and Friley claims that the camps with a focus on water based activities still have low enrollment numbers for diverse campers. "I can't really figure out why that is," says Friley. "But I plan to try to change it either way."
From April 3-10, 2010, Friley, along with counselors Ally and Coco plus a group of eight (8) adventuresome tween girls, will be swept away from their day-to-day routine and exposed to an environment rich with culture, water activities and camaraderie...in the Virgin Islands. CampCaribe, as Friley calls it, is a learning adventure program for parents looking for a unique and unforgettable camp experience for their 12 or 13 year old daughters that will take place on the island of St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands National Park for 10-days of fun in the sun! "My camp experience helped shape me into the person that I am today," laments Friley. "I learned how to water ski in the Pacific Ocean; I learned how to successfully shoot a bow and arrow and how to keep away the wild boar at night. I also learned the value of friendship, the beauty of a campfire, and how to get along with my peers. I always cried when it was time to go home."
Water activities such as snorkeling, sailing excursions, ocean kayaking, a day trip to Coral World, and beach volleyball have been planned for this once-in-a-lifetime tropical camp excursion. Open to girls from all cultural and ethnic backgrounds, there will be 4 girls per cabin. "My daughter can't wait to go," says Kim, a Bay Area mom that snagged one of the coveted camp slots for her daughter. "She keeps reminding me that camp is coming...camp is coming. She's terribly excited!"
CampCaribe's mission mimics that of its parent company - OneBrownGirl.com® (OBG) - in that the emphasis is not solely on water activities, but also emphasizes a celebration of culture, diversity and strong self image. Adventurer's will learn not only learn to respect and value the environment from counselors Alley and Coco, but they will learn about local culture as well. "OBG Adventure Camps will be a diverse camp experience, I promise that," says Friley, a member of the American Camp Association. "CampCaribe has been 10 years in the making and is a dream come true...another way to give back." Those interested in gifting a low income Brown Girl adventurer with the CampCaribe experience (full tuition only) can contact Friley directly at info@CampCaribe.com.
ABOUT CampCaribe:
CampCaribe - an OBG Adventure Camp program under the One Brown Girl.com® umbrella - is a learning adventure program that takes tween girls away from their day-to-day routine and exposes them to an environment rich with culture, water activities and camaraderie in the Virgin Islands National Park. Registration is now open for the Spring 2010 adventure session and is limited to 8 California girls ages 12 and 13. $1500 includes all accommodations, ground transportation, meals & activities with a convenient payment plan available. Group airfare rates will be announced in November. Adventures beginning in 2011 will be open to girls from the entire U.S. with an interest list forming now. www.CampCaribe.com
ABOUT OneBrownGirl.com®:
In 2006, Tracey Friley, author of the upcoming book: Talking White: 14 Ways to Cope with Thoughtless Remarks, created OneBrownGirl.com® to celebrate culture, diversity and strong self-image amongst Brown Girls across the globe with positive messages, products, stories and adventures for The Brown Girl World. OBG's vision is a world where culture is celebrated; where cultural differences are openly discussed; and where cultural similarities are applauded. www.OneBrownGirl.com
CONTACT:
Tracey Friley
310-621-3783
info@CampCaribe.com
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