The love of nature, the love of teaching and the love of each other is what binds the owners of Mount Victory Camp together. Like the cordage they hand twist into rope, they bound that all that passion together at the seven-acre eco camp in the rain forest.
Matt and Carmen Corradino are hosts to guests from all over the world at their campground in the hills east of Creque Dam on St. Croix. Carmen Corradino said the peaceful camp, situated near the ruins of a sugar plantation, is a spot for locals and visitors to gather themselves.
“The lifestyle here is natural. It gives the body strength.” Carmen said. “This is a place where people can come to relax and heal.”
The Corradinos met at Tom Brown Jr.’s Tracker School in New Jersey, where Matt honed his survival skills. The couple fell in love with St. Croix on their first trip to the island 10 years ago while teaching bush skills at Ridge to Reef Sustainable Farm.
“We just love St. Croix,” Matt said. “We fell in love with the landscape, the friendly people and just every thing here.”
They both enjoy being involved with environmental restoration and healing at the nicely landscaped camp.
They still teach primitive survival skills such as fire making, flint knapping, and stone tool crafting at the farm, and conduct hands-on workshops at the camp they bought in 2012. The Corradinos had stayed at Mount Victory Camp numerous times before they bought it from former owner Bruce Wilson.
The unique island camp dwellings are made from local tropical hardwoods with screened walls to let the breezes blow through and canvas ceilings to protect from the rain. There are four bungalows furnished with beds and bedding and the Danish School House apartment. And atop a hill in the shade is tent camping – guests are required to bring their own tents. Bathroom facilities for guests include solar-heated showers and low-flush toilets. The friendly couple has thought of almost everything to make an eco-camping trip pleasant.
“We’re small scale and do most of the work ourselves,” Carmen said. “We always find time to do what needs to be done.”
Their 2-year-old daughter Ilee, already follows in her parents’ footsteps and plays at working as their little helper.
Carmen said her biggest challenge is finding time to do everything that needs done at the camp and in their home, which is located right on the camp grounds. They said it can definitely feel like it’s a 24/7 job, but they do have time during summer and low season to slow down a bit. Matt said there is always a lot of upkeep and landscaping to keep balance in mind. But he said with a wide smile they find time to surf.
The couple, in their 30s have combined and complimentary bush skills and hold two workshops a month at the camp.
March 18 and 26 Carmen and Matt will hold workshops on bamboo bow and melon basket making. April 23 Carmen will conduct a wild edible and medicinal plant workshop, at which people will make simple medicine. And in May Matt does an arrowhead making class and will offer a class on how to make palm leaf woven hats and baskets.
Carmen added she has researched and learned about local plants from the best, Ras Lumumba and the late Veronica Gordon.
Carmen said they are more than happy to open up the gates and provide the venue for weddings, family reunions, field trips for home schoolers and public school science students, music shows and non profits. St. Croix Environmental Association is having a Fun in the Rainforest event there March 12.
Popular “Dub In the Rain Forest” shows have been held three times at the camp with local well-known reggae musicians such as Pressure playing to sell out crowds until wee hours of the morning.
Those interested can learn more about Mount Victory Camp and make reservations by calling 340-201-7983 or sending an email to mountvictorycamp@gmail.com.
