Island Times Blog

Hi all,
Wow! Can you believe we have been back for over 2 months now? Next thing you know we will be heading back down to the boats and another awesome summer aboard! Seems we just got home. :):)

Hopefully you all made it thru Halloween without being bitten by a vampire or zombie. We had a SWAT Officer (Kaleb) and Phil from Duck Dynasty (Micah) roaming around here….quite scary indeed!Now we head toward Thanksgiving and we certainly do have a lot for which to be thankful! Here at the office things are rocking along- sign ups have been on track with the Bahamas Explorer full (taking waitlist registrations) and several boats on main program down to only a few spots, next summer is looking to be as exciting as ever!
 
Socials – If you live in the NY/NJ/CT area we have 2 socials and a camp fair scheduled for December. We would love to see you at one or more of these to meet and greet other program participants and to share in the fun! Please RSVP Angie direct.  We will announce more as they become available.
 
Flights – A lot of you are looking at and booking flights. Our travel partner is Dede Thea – Travel  800-466-4603 ext. 5657. Dede’s grandson has been on program for several summers and she is very familiar with how things work. Please remember to run your flight info by me before booking and to send me a copy once you have confirmed it.
 
Bahamas Explorer Program Fees – You will be receiving a reminder in the next week or two about partial program fees that are due on Dec. 1st.  Please make checks out to SeaTrek BVI not to Capt. Monk.
 
Optional Classes in the BVI….as you all know we live on sailboats and you will have the opportunity to learn sailing. For those of you who want to do and know more you have the option of participating in the ASA Sailing Course 101. This is an optional classe and will incur additional fees ($400). It includes academics, additional hands on experience and certification. These classes are scheduled so as not to interfere with any other activities.

We will also be offering – the NAUI U/W Photo Specialty ($200) as an option again this summer in the BVI/Bahamas.  This course will introduce you to the basics of Underwater Photography and includes certification. We supply the camera…you supply 6 to 8 AA batteries and a SD (2 gb or less) Flash Card.  We must know before May 15th if you wish to participate in either the ASA Course or Photo Specialty.

Academic Credit – As you probably already know students can receive academic credit for participating in a SeaTrek Voyage. Please contact Angie directly if you have any questions or want to pursue academic credit.
 
Online store – We are constantly receiving new stock. We just got in a huge order of Rash Guards. Those of you with RGs on back order will be receiving them shortly. Now is the time to start looking at what you want to get from the online store. Most items are in stock but some have to be special ordered. These items make for great stocking stuffers:):) We are keeping UPS and FEDEX hopping!
 
Packing list – Are now available online on the website.  Click here to go directly to the page with direct links to the packing list. Please note there is a different list for each program.
 
Paperwork – We are still missing paperwork from some folks. Please use the new online registration form here and TravMark Cancellation Formto easily fulfill these requirements. You are also required to sign up for DAN Insurance. Finally, please don’t forget to send a picture of your student. As always we strongly recommend that you take out travel insurance. We realize it is an addtional cost but the Travel Insurance has proven to be an asset to families in the past.
 
NAUI Student Record Folder – We have it available for download here. Everyone must print it out, fill in the appropriate blanks and return it to us either by mail, by fax 810-487-1633 or scan/email within 7 business days of registering. This will alleviate lost folders, forgotten folders, unsigned folders and folders that are not filled out correctly. This folder is mandatory for participation in any of our water activities and it is a nightmare when participants show up without them.
 
*Notes related to the NAUI folder: We have highlighted the sections that must be filled out.
a.) If you are under the age of 18 it must be filled out and signed by a parent or guardian.  It is asking for the participants information other than the small section on the lower part of page 1.
b.) On page 2 you put the participants name in the blank that follows “I”
c.) On the bottom of page 2 you only need to fill out the 1st section that starts with “I have read this agreement….”
d.) On page 3 in the Medical History Section…you must write Y or N and this must be signed by both the participant and the parent or guardian.
 
For your viewing pleasure:Photo links from 2013.
 
If you have not done so already be sure to “Like” our Facebook page and share it with your friends!
 
Things will start heating up around here soon. There are lots of things to do in the warehouse as we start getting things ready.  A couple of us will be heading down in April to start getting the fast boats ready and of course there is the ever-present paperwork.

Until then all of us here in the SeaTrek offices wish all of you and your families a happy and very safe Thanksgiving!

Capt. Monk and the SeaTrek staff