🌱 Free Summer Camp Teaches Hurricane Prep, Weather + More

Good morning and good Monday! Here's everything you need to know going on today across the territory, starting with the headlines:

USVI Storm Strong will host a free summer camp program for VI middle schoolers and high schoolers. The program will focus on hurricane preparation skills for students and their families. The camp is a partnership between USVI Storm Strong and the University of the Virgin Islands. "Hurricanes Irma and Maria were devastating storms that fundamentally changed our community. But, they also gave us a tremendous opportunity to think about how we can be more prepared for future storms,” said project lead Dr. Kristin Wilson Grimes, a UVI assistant professor in the Center for Marine and Environmental Studies. (VI Consortium)

The St. Croix Montessori School will receive $50,000 from the St. Croix Foundation to support the school’s Edible Schoolyard and Summer Grow Program. The funds come from the Sprint to Excellence Education Relief Grant and will support the school's efforts to teach students about agriculture, healthy eating and sustainability. (VI Consortium)

Inmates at the Golden Grove Correctional Facility may soon have an opportunity to care for retired thoroughbred horses via a partnership between the V.I. Corrections Bureau and the USVI Equestrian Equine Therapy Project, Inc. The program is being spearheaded by St. Thomas-native Carolyn Smith. Smith believes the program will be an opportunity for inmates to improve their self-esteem while learning skills that could later help them land a job in the equine field. (The Source)

Coral World Ocean is partnering with the Reef Initiative to restore the coral in the waters around Coral World Ocean Park. The project involves collecting fragments of specific coral species, identified by the National Park Service, and transplanting those fragments to a nursery within the Coral World Ocean Park where they will be used for asexual propagation. Logan Williams will spearhead the project as the program's first conservation manager. (Virgin Islands Daily News)

From our sponsor:

Today’s newsletter is brought to you by Ring, a Patch Brand Partner. We all know that Ring is the leader in video doorbells for home security. But did you know that Ring now makes a home security system that is getting raves from consumer electronic experts? (Reviewers at CNET called the new system — known as the Ring Alarm Pro — “a giant leap for home security”). So why the kudos?

In a nutshell: the Ring Alarm Pro can protect your home both online and off. It includes a built-in eero Wi-Fi 6 router to help you get reliable physical and digital security in one, innovative device. Now you can help protect your home with all of the benefits of the Ring Alarm, to keep your home safe and secure, while experiencing fast, reliable connectivity.

To learn more about the system CNET called “the future of home security” or to build your own custom system, you can visit Ring here.

Weather: Mostly sunny and nice. High: 81 Low: 73.

Today's Events:

• Lauren and Friends live at Lovango Rum Bar and Distillery, St. John (5:00 p.m.)
• Power Yoga with Billie on the lawn at Yacht Haven Grande (5:30 p.m.)
• Whine & Fete Dance Class on the lawn at Yacht Haven Grande (6:30 p.m.)

Social Buzz:

• Just evacuated from Cruz Bay center because of bomb threat #StJohnUSVI #troubleinparadise (Twitter)
• Congratulations to all 19 cyclists who faced the brutal wind this morning in the 2022 Triple Bypass Road Race! It was a great morning! Top finishers: Stephen Swanton (Elite), Wayne Nichols (Expert), Kevin Williams (Sport), Laverne Fredericksen (Women) (US Virgin Islands Cycling)
• Rain Can’t Stop Leprechauns and the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Read Full Story by Susan Ellis (Twitter)
• Get the latest beach advisory from DPNR
• Kitten season is off to a hot start. These 4 kittens- The A litter- need a foster home!They are eating wet food, 4 weeks old and will not require bottlefed milk. If you can take these sweethearts home please call us at 340.775.0599 and speak to Ellie. (Humane Society of St Thomas)
• It’s time for some Tennis over on the big island, St. Croix! Starting on March 22nd at Emile Henderson, Sports, Parks, and Recreation’s 13u Tennis clinic will be every Tuesday for beginners and Thursdays for intermediate players. (Department of Sports, Parks and Recreation)
• National Poison Prevention Week is March 20-26, 2022. NPPW is a week dedicated to raising awareness about the Poison Help Hotline 1-800-222-1222. When life happens, poison centers are ready 24/7/365 with fast, free treatment advice by calling Poison Help (1-800-222-1222) or visiting poisonhelp.org. (Virgin Islands Department of Health)

Enjoying these emails? Here are 3 ways you can get more involved:

• Send a friend or neighbor this link so they can subscribe
• Get your local business listed in front of readers
• Send me a news tip or suggestion at ashleigh.baldwin@patch.com

— Ashleigh Baldwin

About me: I'm the Patch Community News Editor for the U.S. Virgin Islands. I'm here to provide news you can use. Do you have a news tip, question or feedback? Please contact me at ashleigh.baldwin@patch.com.