This trip was very rewarding - we could see the results of our efforts as we were working and we got thanks from the hikers on the trail for doing the work. The location was beautiful & scenic & we had time to enjoy touristy activities. Given that our time there was unseasonably warm & humid, for this "senior" the trip was a bit challenging - take electrolytes. This was camping at its best - a big tent to myself & bathrooms sufficient for the group size & the cold showers actually felt good after working in the heat - but be prepared to stay sweaty if a breeze is not blowing. Our leaders Mark & Susan were outstanding & were attuned to everyone's needs. They had everything so well organized, prepared great meals, encouraged us to do the extra activities, & made sure we worked within our limits. Suggestions for the tents - I wished I had had more cushioning for my cot & a better pillow; & I was glad I had earplugs, lighting, a couple of bags for trash, & bungee cords for hanging things in the tent. Loved this trip &, again, being with like minded people.

I had a great time the team leaders Mark and Susan were terrific. They made the experience that more enjoyable. Other than the bug bites, I would recommend this to anyone wanting to make a difference in regards to maintaining our national parks and historic buildings.

I can’t say enough good things about my week on St. John with ConservationVIP. From start to finish it was an amazing experience. Mark and Susan are wonderful leaders who provided expert guidance and warm companionship. Our relatively small volunteer group size of eight made it easy for us all to get to know one another and enjoy each other’s company. Susan and Mark prepared delicious meals at camp. Each day began with a hearty breakfast and ended with dinners that included spaghetti, barbeque chicken, chili, and fajitas. Most of us were solo occupants of our tents, which are plenty roomy. Cots are provided, but bring your favorite lightweight sleeping pad and inflatable pillow for extra cushioning. I loved falling asleep to the sound of tree frogs and the surf! Our work assignments were nicely varied and included trail maintenance, tree planting, and vegetation removal around plantation ruins. We worked hard and accomplished a lot, but Mark and Susan also made sure that we had time to enjoy a dip in the ocean at the end of each work day. (Cinnamon Bay Beach is just a short walk from the volunteer campground!) Our day off was a real treat that included snorkeling to see tropical fish and sea turtles in Maho Bay and a sunset catamaran sail. I’ll be reflecting on this week and all that I learned for some time to come, and I highly recommend the trip!

It was a wonderful experience. The islands are always nice to visit, especially in the winter, but the company and activities enhanced the trip greatly. The accommodations were more than comfortable since we all had tents by ourselves. Our trail work was gratifying especially after viewing our accomplishments each afternoon. Thanks to our leaders for all the hard work accommodating the various diets. As with most volunteer trips, our group was a joy to be with.

My wife Susan sent in a review that takes up the main features of the Virgin Islands project. I thoroughly enjoyed myself and the group cruised through the week sociably, but with room for alone time as well. Leaders Mark and Susan were organized, friendly and kept things moving. Their years of experience with local personnel showed in the welcome receptions and camaraderie. The volunteer work and camping were a pleasant and sociable alternative to the usual hotel stay and our group got along really well. My old back didn’t give me any trouble ! Q
We did the November ‘22 Galapagos trip and the group of people was similarly pleasant, everyone contributing, good leadership.
I’m looking ahead to more of these trips.
We came in to St Thomas a day ahead of meeting the group. We also stayed 3 more days afterward in Cruz Bay with more time to explore the island. I recommend this. We stayed at SeaGrape Vista.

The Conservation VIP trip was incredible. My whole world has opened up to a new way of vacationing & giving back. The Trip Leaders, Mark & Susan were phenomenal, so well organized and kept our entire team well fed, and in happy spirits. The fellow volunteers on this team were wonderful, kind, intelligent people. It was inspiring to work side-by-side with them on a daily basis. Waking up everyday on the beautiful Cinnamon Bay campgrounds, eating a nice hearty breakfast and then hiking the break-taking hillside trails of the island was rewarding. Our team worked on trail maintenance and cleaning up the old sugar plantation ruins in paradise. St. John's national park is one of the most beautiful places on earth. We spent our afternoons beach side, swimming and snorkelling with sea turtles and schools of fishes amongst the coral. Nights were spent under the stars by the campfire, with hearty meals and great company. I highly recommend that you do a trip with Conservation VIP. They have a special program.

This was a great way to visit and experience Virgin Island National Park. This wouldn’t have been my first choice, but trip leader Mark convinced my husband and I that this is a “must do” trip. It certainly is a “first class” volunteer trip.
The trip was culturally interesting as we learned about sugar, plantations, rum, and the human cost of trying to grow sugar in a dry environment that was not really suited to sugar agriculture. The interaction with the natural world from vegetation, both native and invasive was educational and fascinating. The natural world spanned from native to invasive pests. There were beautiful flowers and trees that are invasive and need to be controlled. The same can be said for donkeys and goats and other small flora and fauna. The guides were ready to answer the gamut of questions that were asked.
Camp Volunteer was the best deal on the Islands. We had tents that are on platforms and covered with a rain fly. There was some rain but we were dry and comfortable. The tents are equipped with “army cots” that were made more comfortable with a camping pad and pillow. I brought a light weight stuffable Rumpl blanket for the middle of the night chill. Be prepared to use the well equipped bathrooms (running water, flush toilets and a shower, no hot water) that are on the edge of camp. Our group leaders, Mark and Susan were organized, kept the group moving forward, cooked a tasty nutritious variety of food and were all around great people.
This trip worked well with campers/volunteers who had never met each other, had a variety of skill/fitness levels, and differing levels of “camping.”
There is a beautiful beach to relax and play on a very short walk from camp. Mark and Susan arranged a variety of activities from snorkeling, sailing, and a trip to town. I can’t say enough good things about this trip, Just Do It!

The title I gave this trip is an inside joke for participants who played Susan's game, "Code Names", one evening. They'll get it. For everyone else, "spot on" still holds true: this expedition was a perfect combination of doing meaningful work in a treasured location, together w/ down time for fun in the sun (snorkeling, beachcombing, scuba if you chose, capped w/ a scheduled catamaran cruise on the last afternoon.) Kudos to leaders Susan and Mark for embracing each and every individual, for creating an energized group dynamic, and for tending to every detail. They're great cooks too - wow, did we eat well! I am forever humbled by the opportunity of choosing to work on plantation and sugar mill grounds tended to once by those who had no such choice. Thank you, Conservation VIP. This was my 2nd trip w/ you, and will most certainly not be my last. 🙂