Eco Adventure Camp

"Best memories? Spotting iguanas in the trees, the visit from Porthos (owl), the manicou (opossum) in the tree trunk...and all the delicious meals!” (from Kido Visitor’s book, March 2000)

Kido Ecological Research Station (KERS) is located on the island of Carriacou, in the Grenadines Archipelago in the Southern Caribbean Sea. Carriacou is part of an independent Tri-island State. The other two islands are Grenada & Petit Martinique.

Visitors normally arrive at the international airport in Grenada. A fast ferry links Grenada to Carriacou with daily 90 minutes trips. KERS has been in operation since 1991, and has become an important center for research and internships for individuals and institutions interested in the environment, natural sciences and ecotourism. Many of these from around the world are hosted each year at Kido Station, 8 acres of forested lands on the island N/W coast. Kido Station and Staff facilitated the production of BBC Open University “Rough Science” Series, entirely filmed in Carriacou, Summer 2001. Website: www.Open2.net

Kido actively promotes inter-cultural exchanges among youths, while fostering environmental awareness and appreciation, and has designed the Eco-Adventure Camp as a unique way of accomplishing both these objectives.

“What a wonderful and enchanted place...Our four children all love animals so much. This visit has enhanced their knowledge as well as their environmental awareness…” (From Kido Visitor’s Book, March 2002).

Kido camp brings together young people (12-16 age group) from different countries to participate in a variety of educational, research and fun, adventurous activities related to the environment, culture and wildlife preservation.The camp also serves as an Encounter Village, giving young people of different backgrounds an opportunity to learn about others’ interests and experiences, while promoting sensitivity to and appreciation of cultural differences. Camps are run annually, between the first week of July and the end of August. Two camp packages are offered, 14 days or 20 days. A 20-day camp includes all the activities below plus 5 days of inter-island sailing.

Day 1 – Arrival in Grenada. Orientation and overnight at local guesthouse.

Day 2 – Travel by Ferry to Carriacou in the morning/Orientation

Days 2 to 12 – Activities at Kido Eco Station and aboard Kido catamaran.

Day 13 – Return travel by Ferry to Grenada and overnight at local guesthouse.

Day 14 – Return flight from Grenada to country of origin

Day Time:

- Swimming

- Snorkeling

- Sailing Whale and dolphin watching

- Hiking around Carriacou and High North Nature Park

- Coastline and mangrove exploration

- Arts and Crafts (mosaics, drawing and tropical object painting)

- Interaction with local youth and community groups

- Nature research projects

Hike through High North Nature ParkKido Eco Station is directly adjacent to High North Nature Park and the beach. The area is rich in animal and plant wild life, ideal for exploration.

Evening Time:

- Cultural appreciation sessions (discussions/shows/displays of local culture, traditions and folklore)

- Personal development discussions (self-esteem, communication, etc.)

- Encounters (sharing of stories and personal experiences from home countries)

- Video presentation, discussions and games on environmental and other issues.

- Talent nights (displays of personal skills and talents)

Voluntary preparation of foods and beverages indigenous to participants home countries and regions. [This is intended for fun and learning purposes only. All meals are included in the camp package costs.

Nighttime turtle nesting monitoring Kido also operates a wildlife rescue, rehab and release program. Camp participants are encouraged to help in the care of rescued animals (marine and land birds, tortoises, iguanas, opossums, turtles and smaller woodland creatures).

When

The 2003 camps run as follows:

June - August 2003

Participants should make travel arrangement as close to their camp dates as possible, to avoid additional accommodations costs on the mainland of Grenada.

Accomodations

Sleeping accommodations are available for a maximum of 20 persons, shared between a camp style pagoda and two houses.There are separate accommodations for boys and girls.

Staff and Facilities

Kido Eco Station has three full time management staff, with extensive international travel and work experience with youths. All speak several languages. A number of volunteers and part-time resource persons facilitate training workshops and provide other support during the camp periods. The supervision ratio is 2 monitors per ten students.
Kido on-site restaurant offers Italian / West Indian vegetarian cuisine. Meals and beverages are prepared with fresh local and mainly organic vegetables and fruits. Special diets can be arranged.

Costs

A 14-Day Package costs a total of US $1150. This covers accommodations, meals, excursions, and workshops, ground transportation and ferry passage to and from Carriacou.
Add US $100 per day for inter-island sailing days.
Round trip airfare, travel insurance, airport taxes, and pocket money are to be covered by parents/guardians, organizers, or sponsors.

Kido Ecological Research Station requires payment of 20% of the total cost at booking. The deadline date for registration and final payment is June 15th.

The camp will only run with a minimum of 10 students per camp and spaces are available on a first come, first served basis.

Registration Packages will be forwarded to each camp participant after confirmation of booking. For booking information, further details about Kido Eco Station or the island of Carriacou please contact Dr.Marina Fastigi at:

Kido Ecological Research Station
Grenada,West Indies
Tel/Fax: (473) 443 7936
e-mail:kido-ywf@caribsurf.com
www.kido-projects.com

kido-ywf@caribsurf.com