A highlight of any winter vacation to St. John is attending one of the dozens of workshops and activities organized by the Friends of the Virgin Islands National Park.
This year's schedule has been posted online. It includes opportunities to explore the ocean and island from above and below water level, visit homes and learn about their architecture, study the environment, and hear first-hand from knowledgeable locals about life on St. John.
New seminars this year include lessons in crocheting woven bags from plastic grocery bags, using pastels in painting, a hiking and snorkeling trip near Lameshur Bay, and Afro-Caribbean drumming
In previous years we've taken Doug White's tour of island buildings - this year he's focusing on 'green building techniques.' We've also sailed the coastline with archeologist Ken Wild.