ST. CROIX — Crucians upheld a family tradition dating back generations on St. Croix as they flocked to beaches from east to west to celebrate the Easter holiday by camping with friends and loved ones during the extended weekend.
Campers were out in full force on Holy Thursday cooking, swimming, and socializing as they had campsites set up at Cramer’s Park on the East End, Salt River Bay National Historical Park and Ecological Preserve on the North Shore, and Second Target Wall Beach and Dorsch Beach on the West End in Frederiksted.
Some of the common beach activities that campers were anticipating included playing dominoes, hiking, and holding an Easter egg hunt for the children on Sunday.
Ericka Hansen, while camping at Cramer’s Park with her siblings, nieces, and nephews, said she was upholding a tradition started by her late parents — Emile and Delores Hansen.
“It’s just a way of honoring them and maintaining the legacy and tradition of the Virgin Islands,” she said. “It’s just a time to get family and friends together and also to leave something behind for these kids to have the same experience that I had growing up.”
Keffanie John, who camped with the Christian and John families at Second Target Wall Beach in Frederiksted between Dorsch Beach and the public pool, officially known as Vincent F. Mason Sr. Coral Resort, said she started the tradition 20 years ago with her father.
“We’ve been doing this because it’s enjoyable, it’s peaceful, and it’s togetherness,” John said, adding she is now carrying on the tradition for her children. “It’s all about family.”
Tannya Ilarraza was camping at Dorsch Beach with her family. She said they spent time fishing, cooking, and swimming.
“It’s a family tradition,” she said. “Our parents raised us up camping on Easter, and we’re doing it with our children too.”
Bianca O’Neal, a recording artist known as JuzBea VI, has been camping at Cramer’s Park for about 30 years.
“It means a lot to me because from the time I was small my mom brought me up here,” she said. “It gave me a real sense of family. I learned a lot. I learned how to fish, basically learned how to swim up here.”
O’Neal said her mother, Annette Hendricks-O’Neal, visits the campsite during the day but does not spend the night. O’Neal said she was looking forward to catching fish to cook, adding that she used a net to corral shrimp on the South Shore to use as bait. She said her mother instilled the camping tradition in her.
“When Easter time rolls around, I look forward to coming out here because it’s the only thing that actually makes me feel at home,” O’Neal said. “You get to wake up to the water, this lovely ambience.”
Bianca Emile was camping at Cramer’s Park with her great aunt, Brenda Young-Lowe, and her 1-year-old daughter, A’More Richardson. They paid the $100 per day fee to rent a cabana, providing them with electricity and shade. Emile named the campsite “Camp Betty Boop” in honor of her late grandmother, Betty Young.
“She started this tradition,” Emile said.
Emile, who has camped on the beach every year since she was a child, said Betty Young brought out the entire family to experience the tradition. Emile said she is now passing it on to her daughter.
“Now she is starting her tradition,” she said.
Young-Lowe, who is from St. Croix but lives in New Jersey, said she makes the trip every year to camp.
“We have this Easter tradition to come home to celebrate with my family, friends, and classmates,” she said.
Glenda Ayala, who started camping with her parents at Salt River when she was 3 years old, has continued the tradition for 35 years. She was camping this year with her children, siblings, nieces, and friends.
“It just stayed in me that I just love doing it,” she said. “It’s just a peace of mind. It’s just a time where everybody just come together, cook, and we try different dishes and stuff like that. So, I think it’s just something I love.”
Ayala was looking forward to eating fish, conch, and octopus in addition to reuniting with family visiting from the U.S. mainland and spending time with her children.
“You can experience it with your kids, and maybe they will carry on the tradition later on in life,” she said.
Kertis Tonge was busy washing dishes at his Cramer’s Park campsite as Terry Woodley used a machete to cut up pieces of chicken as they prepared food while others at their campsite played dominoes.
“We are here trying to get us to enjoy ourselves,” Tonge said, noting he was surrounded by friends and family but welcomed others to join them. “We are happy to take anyone in at this time.”
The tradition of camping on the beach not only reunited families but provided a chance for campers to meet new friends.
Carmen Rentas, while camping at Salt River, said the best part was being around the other campers whose tents were pitched side by side along the beach.
“All the neighbors are just like family,” she said. “This is a tradition. Every year we are here in the same spot.”
Luz Delgado was camping with four generations of her family at Salt River.
“It’s family time, and we enjoy being together and having a nice time,” she said.
Dawn Sewer, who has camped with family every year at Salt River for the past 29 years, had three generations of her family with her this year, including her children and grandchildren.
“You bring your family together and you just enjoy the blessings the Lord has given us here on the island,” she said.
In addition to taking her children hiking, Sewer said they learned how to line fish while camping. She said cooking food was a big part of the experience, adding that she was in the process of making stew chicken. She said all the campers usually set up their campsites in the same spots each year.
“It’s just like a big family,” Sewer said.
While Sewer was cooking, 15-year-old Omar Budhoo was fishing with a rod and reel. He said he enjoyed spending time with family and fishing with friends.
“This is amazing,” he said. “I love camping.”
