The Westcoast / 360° Family is Growing!

Nov 032011

We wanted to take the time to share some fantastic news with you about some of our Company Directors and Trip Directors!

As summer came upon us rather quickly, we didn’t get the chance to share the amazing news that happened right before our annual staff training weekend in June. On May 23^rd, Max Nessim Hay was born to Carolyn and Symon Hay. Many of you will know Symon as one of the Directors of Westcoast Connection / 360° Student Travel for the past 11 years. He also directed programs for over a decade, taking hundreds of our trip members all around the world including our first Australia programs. His wife Carolyn also directed programs for us for 5 years so many of you might have had the chance to know them both. Max is now 5 months old and is certainly taking after his Dad… he smiles all the time and he cannot sit still!!

Max

On October 3^rd, Kellen Ryan LeCouffe was born to Pamela Nugent and her husband Kevin. Pamela is the dedicated Trip Planner for all of 360° Student Travel’s overseas Community Service programs including South Africa, Ecuador/Galapagos, Peru, our new exciting new Thailand program and China. Pamela also makes up part of our staff hiring team, is a summer Company Director and is in charge of one of our two summer communication centers so many of you have likely spoken to her over the past 11 years. Kellen joins a wonderful family that includes big sister Isabelle and big brother Trent.

Kellen

Finally, on September 23rd, Camden David SwamiNathan was born to summer Company Director Rich SwamiNathan (aka Swami) and to summer Trip Director Lindsay Reid. Many of you have been on trips with these two and will be happy to know that Camden (or Ace as he was more familiarly known in utero) and mom are doing well!

SwamiNathan Family

Camden

Congratulations to the Hay, Nugent and SwamiNathan family!

Alumni, have a story you want to share? E-mail us at alumni@westcoastconnection.com.

The Westcoast Blogger

The Great Land of OZ

Australia plus Hawaii No Responses »

Jan 182010

And no, we’re not talking about the place that Dorothy, the Tin Man, the Cowardly Lion, and the Scarecrow visit in the Wizard of OZ. This posting is about the amazing land down under, Australia.

Before I talk about the AMAZING Great Barrier Reef (the true topic of discussion for those post) congratulation are in order for Director Symon Hay who has been recognized by Tourism Australia, the official tourism ministry of Australia, as a certified Aussie Specialist! What a great honor.

Now … the Great Barrier Reef, the largest living organism in the world, a world heritage site and arguably the best snorkeling and SCUBA diving site in the world.

For starters, the reef is larger than the Great Wall of China AND is the only living thing on earth visible from space.

The reef is home to:

1500 species of marine fish
360 species of hard corals
600 species of starfish, sea urchins, sea cucumbers
500 species of seaweed
A variety of marine mammals including whales, dolphins, dugongs
6 species of marine turtles
200 species of birds
125 species of sharks

You may recognize some of the creatures from Disney’s finding Nemo.

: Puffer Fish – Bloat

: Puffer Fish – Bloat

: Regal Tang – Dory

: Regal Tang – Dory

: Eagle Ray – Mr. Ray

: Eagle Ray – Mr. Ray

: Moorish Idol – Gill

: Moorish Idol – Gill

: Pacific Cleaner Shrimp – Jacques

: Pacific Cleaner Shrimp – Jacques

: Clown Fish – Nemo

: Clown Fish – Nemo

: Crush – Sea Turtle

: Crush – Sea Turtle

Snorkeling or SCUBA diving here is an unbelievable experience. Australia is an amazing place to visit and if you’re looking to venture there this summer, check out our Australian Outback Plus Hawaii Program.

G’Day Mate!

The Westcoast Blogger

Have You Met Symon and Shelby?

Meet Our Staff No Responses »

Oct 232009

This week we introduce you to Symon and Shelby! First up, Symon Hay.

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I grew up in Montreal but have lived in New York City, London, India, Israel, the United Kingdom and have spent over a year of my life in Australia. The first thing I remember doing was being on a plane and I would probably say I travel more than I actually stay in one place. But I have settled a little since I got married 2 years ago. My wife Carolyn is a pediatric dietician – We often use her expertise in helping to plan our Westcoast meals!

The Hay Family

How did you get involved with Westcoast Connection / 360° Student Travel?

I had heard about it growing up and when I had the chance to work as a counselor, I jumped on it. After a few years running trips, I was given the opportunity to work full time

We all know you went to Africa in August. Tell us a little bit about that excursion!

I have been to many places on this beautiful planet and I have to say South Africa is one of my favorites. I spent a week doing safaris and had the most incredible experiences including meeting up with a pack of lions (2 males, 3 females and 8 cubs) as well as a leopard. I then went to Cape Town and had 4 days of glorious sunshine and actually climbed Table Mountain – not an easy feat. I highly recommend a trip there!

What was the first trip you led with Westcoast Connection / 360° Student Travel?

I led a program called the Adventurer three times which is very similar to our American Voyageur. I have since led 2 Europe trips, 6 Australia programs and a Community Service Arizona – I am nearing my retirement (Blogger comment – YEAH RIGHT!)!

Symon With Community Service Arizona

Do you have any pets?

Yes, an awesome dog named Joey who comes to work with me.

Joey

Which super power would you like to have and why?

The ability to fly, what a perspective you can get that way!

What is your favorite Westcoast meal?

Without a doubt BBQ night (with mashed potatoes of course!!)

Symon & A Koala in Australia

Last but not least, Ms. Shelby Leigh Streimer.

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I am born and raised in Baltimore, MD. I am a dancer and grew up studying the performing arts. After going to Japan at 13, the travel bug bit and my passion for travel immerged. I graduated from the University of Maryland and then moved to Sydney, Australia to work because I had studied abroad there and fell in love with the amazing country that it is. I moved to New York in September and joined Westcoast Connection / 360° Student Travel. I hope to inspire teen travel and encourage people to see all that the world has to offer.

I should also mention that Westcoast Connection was my first experience of “independent” travel as a teenager!

How did you get involved with Westcoast Connection / 360° Student Travel?

I traveled on the California Extravaganza some years ago and still keep in touch with many of the people I met! As my time in Australia was coming to an end, I reached out to WCC360 and was able to join the fulltime crew.

Shelby at Disneyland on the Extrav

Old Extrav Pics - Shelby's In the Red

Shelby Out West

What is the best place you’ve visited with Westcoast Connection?

Hands down, California:-)

You’re quite the world traveler. Where have you been and what are some of the interesting things you’ve done.

Japan, Israel, London, Paris, Nice, Belgium, Amsterdam, Munich, Berlin, Salzburg, Barcelona, Madrid, Cinque Terre, Florence, Rome, Venice, Sorrento, Capri, Amalfi Coast, Pompeii, Athens, Mykonos, Ios, Santorini, Costa Rica, Belize, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Thailand, Canada …to name a few.

In New Zealand, I went bungee jumping off of the Nevis, a 143 meter drop in the middle of two mountains. Backpacking through Europe independently was the most rewarding experience I’ve had.

bull fight YAY dolpin GBR elephant ride 1

Where is your favorite place in the entire world?

Australia

What do you do in your free time?

I am a dancer and certified Pilates instructor so you can find me in the studio. I love being with my family and with enough free, I am traveling.

If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?

HUMMUS and Bagels! Easy!

What is your favorite breakfast item?

Egg and Cheese Sandwich though I love snacking on cereal

Until next time …

The Westcoast Blogger

This week we introduce you to Symon and Shelby! First up, Symon Hay.

Counselors Say The Darndest Things

Uncategorized No Responses »

Jun 102009

I am a huge Billy Joel fan. I have seen him live in concert several times (see below) and know almost all of his songs forwards and backwards.

Billy Joel Live in Concert

It’s no wonder that a song, or shall we say Camp Alma Matar, about Westcoast / 360° written to the tune of “We Didn’t Start the Fire” would get me very excited.

Enjoy!

The Westcoast Blogger

Introduction (To Journey – “Don’t Stop Believing”)

Just a westcoast staff

Heading off on their own

They got on a plane

Going Anywhere

Just a group of teens

Ready to see the world

They got on a plane

Going anywhere

Main Song (To Billy Joel – “We Didn’t Start the Fire”)

Stan Browman, Symon Hay, Jason Tanner, Odette Pret-tay

Lisa Cohen, Mark Segal, Ira Solomon

Rich Swami, Mitchell Lerner, they don’t work around the corner,

Montreal, Florida, New York, and Toronto

Stan wasn’t satisfied; he was Peter-Pan-ified

Xerox, had to quit, that job wasn’t cutting it

Nineteen Eighty two was the year Westcoast was new

40 kids, what fun, look how far we’ve come

Chorus

We didn’t start Westcoast

But we know the crew, and so do you

We didn’t start Westcoast

But we’ll follow them

‘Till the bitter end!

Golden gate, Vegas, Alcatraz, Los Angeles

Bryce and Zion, Hard Rock Round the clock

Camping, Secret songs, We always get along

Schwarzenegger, Terminator, Mt. Hood, Vancouver

Monte Carlo, Canyons, Utah, Mormons,

Yellowstone, Peter Pan, California, Disneyland

Ottawa, Montreal, Either way we have a ball

UCLA, Pink Jeep, Wonder when it’s time to sleep

London bridge, Parliament, Using pounds instead of cents

Picnic, Watching Fame, Bridge over the river Thames

Gondolas, Charles de Gaulle, California Baseball

Rainy weather, London Eye, Changing of the guards tonight

Latin Quarter, Big Ben, Space Disco, Mafia

Vatican, Heathrow, Observing Michelangelo

U2, Rimini, Monica Lewinsky

Ear biting, Psycho, Mike Tyson, no, no

Chorus

We didn’t start Westcoast

But we know the crew, and so do you

We didn’t start Westcoast

But we’ll follow them

‘Till the bitter end!

Arizona, Maui, Costa Rica, Wi ki ki,

Food banks, Day Camps, Digging ditches, Building Ramps

Alaska, Africa, Zambia, Botswana

Nature Centre, Mosey’s farm, No showers, Oh darn

Working hard, Giving back, Playing games, No time to slack

Inhibitions blown away, Who else can we serve today?

Baseball, Pitching tents, Please don’t call your parents

Stratosphere, Bellagio, Trying not to eat yellow snow

Dave and Busters, Sunshine, Terror on the staffs’ minds,

Wishing your in dreamland, Kids running around Disneyland

Hackeysacks, Horsebacks, Setting up your midnight snacks

Bumper cars, Playing guitars, Chocolate cookies, Can’t get Sars

Camping at Alouette, Now you’re almost set

Go home, Get some rest, The summer is your final test.

Chorus

We didn’t start Westcoast

But we know the crew, and so do you

We didn’t start Westcoast

But we’ll follow them

‘Till the bitter end!

(Repeat)

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