Waving hellooooo...

My name is Tracey Friley and, among other things, I am an Oakland resident and small business owner, as well as the creator of OneBrownGirl.com® (OBG), a brand and social movement rooted in a cause that celebrates culture, diversity and strong self-image amongst Brown Girls across the globe with positive messages, products, stories & adventures for The Brown Girl World.  OBG is for anyone with an interest in the celebration of culture, as culture is absolutely fascinating; wouldn't you agree?  Be sure to check out the OBG blog (http://1browngirl.blogspot.com) when you get a chance.

One such adventure under the OBG umbrella is CampCaribe.  The camp experience helps develop social skills, teaches self respect and character building, enhances community living and builds service skills. 

“The camp experience enriches lives and changes the world.” 

-American Camp Association

Problem

There is a distinct scarcity of overnight camp programs that facilitates a purposefully multicultural camp experience and Brown kids continue to be in the minority at camps with water based activities.  In the independent camp sector, a recent American Camp Association (ACA) survey shows that 89% of campers are white, less than 4% black or African-American, less than 4% Hispanic/Latino(a), just over 2% Asian, and just over 1% bi-racial. 

Solution 

With plans of becoming the premiere water camp experience for diverse girls in the world, CampCaribe is a nascent learning adventure program that will whisk away eight (8) diverse tween girls from their day-to-day routines and expose them to an environment rich with culture, water & beach activities and camaraderie. 

"The Idea Behind CampCaribe" can be found on Oprah's Angel Network. 

Premiering in April 2010 during Easter vacation in the United States Virgin Islands, tween Adventurers will travel together as a group from Oakland to Ft. Lauderdale and then on to St. Thomas where they will catch a ferry to Cinnamon Bay Campgrounds, located on the island of St. John in the US Virgin Islands National Park.  After a thorough campground and safety orientation, water and beach activities such as snorkeling, sailing excursions, ocean kayaking, a day trip to Coral World and beach volleyball, as well as African/Caribbean dance, storytelling, cultural exploration and environmental education have all been planned for this once-in-a-lifetime tropical camp excursion.  Open to girls from all cultural and ethnic backgrounds, Adventurers will sleep 4 girls per cabin with 3 qualified adult counselors in leadership. 

So here's the deal:  CampCaribe, via its fiscal sponsor, The Kemet Foundation, a 501(c)(3) corporation, FEIN 26-3351704, is feverishly seeking 3-4 local (either Bay Area or California) non-profit organizations that would like to empower a lucky Adventurer within the local Bay Area community with a paid sponsorship on this fantastic learning adventure via a fundraising effort, the cost being only $1995 per Adventurer for 10 days.  Selected via an essay contest, the ultimate goal is to help a diverse Bay Area girl consider the world in a new way, achieve success and realize her full potential. 

“Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater LA wishes you well

on your journey to help more girls realize their full potential."

-Trena Pitchford, Director of Corporate Partnerships, BBBS Greater LA/Inland Empire

Any questions?  I am merely an email away. =)

CampCaribe@onebrowngirl.com