CAMP JAKE: Kaliko Beach Club on the horizon

Yes, The Red Thread team is heading back to Kaliko Beach Club (KBC) for our third session of Camp Jake! In just 4 weeks, 40 campers, 18 counselors, 4 full-time caregivers and 1 videographer will travel to Montrouis to provide a week of physical, occupational, music and art therapy to residents of St. Vincent's Center for Handicapped Children.

KBC has been most accommodating in the past and continues to partner with us to make this a safe and fun experience for all participants. General Manager Mike and staff are working diligently to ensure that all areas of the club are accessible prior to our arrival. On the horizon are ramps for steps; doorway alterations maximizing wheelchair access; rearranged furniture to provide a comfortable setting for all of our campers and their varying needs. In addition, management has given us our choice of rooms and bungalows, allowing us to make the best choices for our blind and non-ambulatory friends. 

Silmithe and a Kaliko staff member

Allen, the restaurant manager, taking a moment to dance with Christina

Since our first session of Camp Jake in January 2012, KBC has been instrumental in the camp's success by working closely with our team to ensure the campers' safety, improve accessibility and—most importantly—help us provide an educational and fun experience for each participant! 

One of Kaliko's chefs helping counselors bake cookies in the restaurant kitchen

Maille and staff at Café Americain

We extend our sincere gratitude to our friends at Kaliko Beach Club for their genuine support and kindness. The Red Thread team looks forward to continuing our relationship for years to come!

CAMP JAKE :: The Final Countdown

The whole herd

In less than 10 hours, we will be greeting the children from St. Vincent's Center for Handicapped Children at Kaliko Beach Club! In preparation to receive them, today was filled with sorting / planning / rule review / pool safety / walkie talkie training / organizing and resting up for the whirlwind of activity to follow. 

Salle Koray, aka Camp Jake Command Central

It was amazing to see how much work was accomplished this morning after a good night's sleep, a few eggs, fresh watermelon and passionfruit juices and a whole lot of coffee! The team turned the Salle Koray (the enclosed common area that our team is taking over for the next 8 days) into Camp Jake Command Central.

Jonas & Gregory sorting supplies

DeeDee categorizing snacks

All 40+ suitcases were opened, contents emptied, and sorted. Suitcases were re-packed by theme: sports, aquatics, board games, art supplies, snacks, hygiene packages, relaxation / spa, manicure supplies, etc so each can be wheeled to the location of the activity with ease.

DeeDee and Caroline as part of the backpack assembly line

Laura filling backpacks with personal care kits

Just a few of the backpacks!

Individual backpacks were filled with items for the campers including: a bright orange Camp Jake shirt, Tulane Athletic Department t-shirts and hats, personal care kits, a variety of healthy snacks and various school supplies and fun items. All of the new campers will be receiving a pair of shoes as well, like those who attended the January session.


In addition, camper / counselor room assignments were given; activities of all kinds were organized; name tags were hand-made by our resident artist; a tour of the facility was made by the group; a spot was selected for ocean swimming; art supplies were laid out to begin the 3D mask making process tomorrow; strategies were discussed for getting to know the campers on the first day; and finally we were encouraged to use our down time wisely during the week. We're ALL going to need it!


And it rained. Oh did it rain. It was pouring so hard you could hardly hear one another speak. Like last night, with the rain came much cooler temperatures which were welcomed by all.


The team is trying to get to bed earlier tonight so we are ready for the kids tomorrow. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers as they make the bus ride to the campsite early in the morning. ETA: 9:00am!!!

CAMP JAKE :: The Journey Begins

Camp Jake / July 2012 team members (from left to right): Gregory, Kelly, Casey,
Shawn, DeeDee, Tom, Matt, Amanda, Jake, Ana, Laura, Caroline, Jonas
(not pictured: Andy - who was sleeping - and Sonya who was taking the photograph)

It's been a long day of traveling but the entire team arrived safe and sound in Haiti today. Counselors originating from Virginia, Texas, Louisiana, North Carolina and Ohio met at Miami Dade Airport and flew into Port-au-Prince together. Weather made flying for some more complicated than others and, by day's end, sleep was a coveted commodity! 


Upon arrival, the pilot announced the temperature at a balmy 95 degrees. (Author's note: certainly the heat index is higher though, due to the blazing Haitian sun reflecting off all the concrete. I feared we would melt...!)


Jonas and Gregory, our invaluable translators and drivers, met us at the airport to help the entire team of 14 and 40+ pieces of luggage. We were a hot, sweaty mess filling up a pickup truck and 2 mini-buses in the chaos that is the PAP airport, but we managed to leave with everyone and everything we came with. And, all we have to say is "Thank GOD for vehicles with air-conditioning!" 


For a change of pace, we thought you might like to take a virtual ride with us from PAP to the campsite.

Leaving Port-au-Prince

A roadside stand on the way out of the city

The beautiful mountains along National Route 1, Haiti's largest road

Canaan, one of the remaining tent cities north of PAP

One of the many concrete bodegas along the way

The fantastic view from the campsite
(psst - does it look familiar?)

The storm rolling in above the water
(hmmm, think we've seen those trees before) 

The edge of the front right before the downpour

The electrical storm that rolled in cooled everything down as the counselors made their way to the dining area of Kaliko Beach Club. 

No, that isn't a type-o. Just 5 days before Camp Jake, Club Indigo cancelled our reservation for 62 people at their facility. Of course, we were less than thrilled to consider a change of venue at the last minute for such a large group of people, but we weren't going to let this "hiccup" affect Camp Jake. 

After much fast and furious work by Tom and Kathy, we secured rooms at Kaliko Beach Club and the rest, as they say, is history. We are thrilled to be back at the same campsite as the January season. The staff is as friendly as we remembered, the rooms clean, and the ocean just as beautiful. 

Following a quick meeting and a dip in the warm waters of the pool, most of the counselors retired to their rooms to get a good night's sleep. Tomorrow holds a day of preparation, sorting all of the supplies, finalizing all daily schedules, and the review of all safety and aquatic guidelines.

Bonswa, friends. Check back again tomorrow as we prepare to greet the children!

Camp Jake approaching fast!

“Fast and furious” adequately sums up Camp Jake Director Tom’s trip to Haiti last week. Not unlike our wheelchair assembly and distribution in June / July 2011, he arrived on Saturday afternoon and left on Tuesday morning, packing in numerous meetings in and around Port-au-Prince. Considering the first and last days were exclusively for travel, in the remaining two days Tom was able to finalize many details in preparation for the first session of Camp Jake and we'd like to share some of the highlights with you.

One day was spent visiting Kaliko Beach, the location for the first camp. The hotel has managed to capture some of the former beauty of Haiti, known as the “Pearl of the Carribbean” in the 15th and 16th centuries. Beautiful rocky beaches, blue water, and palm trees create an ambiance that one would think impossible only 1.5 hours away from the dusty, trash-strewn streets of the capital city. What a beautiful change this will be for the students!

The view from the hotel where Camp Jake will be held

At the hotel, Tom secured the sleeping quarters for all campers, counselors and St. Vincent’s staff as well as the other facilities that we will be utilizing for our programs. He evaluated areas for wheelchair accessibility and ensured that the grounds are well secured. Different areas of the facility were mapped out to house various activities for the campers based on their individual abilities and strengths.

St. Vincent’s Center for Handicapped Children

Many hours were spent with Fr. Sadoni, Director of St. Vincent’s, discussing the list of attending children and their physical challenges, transportation to and from the beach and other logistics. Conversation covered camp activities, that will include sports, creative arts and social experiences. We are thrilled that Fr. Sadoni shares The Red Thread’s excitement for the camp. He has been most gracious to us, giving us his time and any assistance we need in cementing the final plans for Camp Jake.

Physicians for Peace

Tom was also able to meet with Mary K from Physicians for Peace who was also in Haiti visiting St. Vincent’s at the same time (small world!). They spoke at length about the upcoming camp as well as The Red Thread’s long-term vision for Camp Jake, which includes extending the camp’s reach beyond fun and recreation to incorporate vocational training into the programming. We look forward to years of partnering with this great organization!

Reconstruction

Last, but not least, Tom was able to spend time with Mike, a long-time friend of St. Vincent’s and veteran of providing assistance in Haiti. They reviewed preliminary drawings for the rebuilding of St. Vincent’s and discussed the challenges of the project, including utilizing better quality materials as well as providing a more accessible space to better accommodate the children and their various physical handicaps. We are blessed to be a part of this process.

All-in-all, it was a great trip, successful on so many levels. We are excited to offer these exceptional students a new experience in another part of their home country. January 2012 is right around the corner!