Camp Cabarita Eco Lodge & Retreat @campcabarita - Tumblr Blog

Those of you that have been following this story from the beginning know how influential my grandparents were in Camp Cabarita's inception. What you may not know it that during the 60's my grandfather was a 2 term president of the American Massage and Therapy Association (AMTA). During his term he strongly advocated the benefit of combining hydro therapy in combination with massage. Whether you're the patient or the therapist, there is a HUGE difference in a therapy session immediately following a proper whirlpool, sauna or steam compared to getting on the table "cold" I'd often joke in the early years of this project that I was building a resort 1 suitcase at a time. There was some truth to that joke because I really did often bring various needed accoutrements to the island via this method. The very first item that I desperately wanted at Camp, but couldn't pack in a suit case were 2 handmade Japanese soaking tubs and a stainless whirlpool. 2016 is a year we look forward to putting these therapy methods to work along with many other special treatments!

Anyone that has bought real estate knows there are things you don't discover until after you move in. This is true even of the most careful and diligent buyers. The eccentric neighbor, the 3:00 AM train, the crab apple tree that drops rotting fruit on the walkway to your front door. Sometimes these surprises are pleasant! I'm happy to say that by and large these "post closing discoveries" have been pleasant and, in the case of Ginger Works Cave, even remarkable! I was blown away to discover this massive cave within walking distance of Camp Cabarita because it gave our guests another bonafide eco adventure. The excursion is about 3.5 hours in total and involves a leisurely stroll through both Glenbrook and Flower Hill.

When I purchased the property in 2009 I was working at a large commercial real estate company in Wisconsin. Without exception, my "professional" colleagues told me it was a terrible idea. On the contrary I was very fortunate to have the counsel of some very talented and experienced people, 2 of which are pictured here, along with Buddy and me. Boyze Woolcock (baseball hat) was the son of a fisherman from Orange Hill. He received his architecture degree from NYU and returned to Jamaica and began his career as a general contractor and architect. Boyze also owned a Hotel on the West End called Sunseekers where he lived with his family. Sunseekers was my homebase in Jamaica for many years. Paul Kolosso (left) is a friend and developer from the Milwaukee area. Paul was my first commercial real estate client and we've been friends since. His knowledge of construction methods is vast and his eye for design details is incredible. Neither of these gentlemen worked in any official capacity for me or Camp, I asked for their advice on many things over the years and they gladly obliged. This photo was taken around 2010

Despite that the property had no road, no utilities, steep grades, poor soils and was completely overgrown with brush and bamboo, I could not resist the amazing location, views, community and incredible river frontage. In 2008 I closed on the property and, together with a group of friends, headed down to Camp and celebrate the end of 2 years negotiation, due diligence and surveying. That first trip will always occupy a special place in my mind. It was a unique group of people with no expectations, tents, tarps and coolers. We were greeted at the property boundary by a "Welcome" sign and archway woven from thatch and bamboo. As I passed through this entrance I was full of emotion, aware on some level that my life was forever changed. This pleasant surprise would be a sign of what was to come in the months and years of hard work ahead. Buddy's willingness to go the extra mile would be proven time and time again.

Together Buddy and I explored so many different opportunities in the early years. We considered all sorts of farming endeavours, raising goats, renting jet skis and loads of other tourist related businesses . . but I never could get the idea out of my head about starting an eco lodge and spa. There was something in my DNA about the land itself and the ability to put down roots. Over the years I developed a routine of visiting Mayfield Falls on the day I was to leave Jamaica. This place and this river were magical to me. At the time I never suspected that the home for the vision that would become Camp Cabarita was litterally next door. Cathartic therapy, a final chance to decompress before returning to Milwaukee, reinvigorated by my recent trip and optimistic about what was discovered.

I returned to the island 17 times in the next 10 years, each time Buddy and I would link. During this time I fell in love with the real Jamaica and it's culture and people. Having Buddy as my guide, taking me to parties, events, hidden treasures, and local farms was fortune that every visitor to the island would be lucky to experience. The priveledge of having a person of Buddy's caliber as a friend is something that comes along once in your life - if you're lucky. Buddy's skills as a farmer, builder, chef, guide, and Rasta would all be needed to make Camp Cabarita what it is now.

My next trip to Jamaica was ... wait for it ... Spring Break freshman year of college! And this, my friends, is where the cliché ends and the story begins. The trip's organizer had a friend that had met a Rasta on a recent trip to Negril. The Rasta didnt have a phone so there was really no reliable way to keep in touch. My trip's organizer was asked to try to find the Rasta on our spring break trip and gave him a photo of the two of them together. I took a personal interest in this mission and began carrying the photo with me. I heard all sorts of stories about what happened to the Rasta in the photo, he moved to Kingston, he was in England. I heard he was in jail, another guy told me he was dead. I finally found a guy that told me he would take me to him and he did. That was the first time I met Buddy who, 10 years later, would become my partner in Camp Cabarita.

This next part of the story goes to my love for Jamaica. 🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲 In 1984 we went on a family vacation to Jamaica. During that trip my Grandpa told me if I ever wanted to get into the family business, Jamaica was an ideal location. The sun, sea, fresh water, climate, and access to a cornucopia of fruits, vegetable and nuts. He also said that Jamaica was "only 4 hours from Chicago" My grandpa was a smart guy and that statement resonated in me for the better part of 2 decades. In our next post is how a chance meeting set the stage for the life long friendship and partnership that made Camp Cabarita possible.

Today marks a new chapter in this account. We're going to tell you the story of how Camp Cabarita began and bring you to present day. The story really starts with Frank and Catherine Persitza who after a miscarriage sought the counsel of Dr. Bergholz a M.D. , N.D. and Engineer. After following his advice of a natural lifestyle for 1 year they gave birth to a healthy son. After experiencing this miracle of life, they were convinced of the benefits of a healthy lifestyle that included natural eating, physical culture, body and hydro therapies. After Dr. Bergholtz passed they opened Spa LaBelle in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin in 1942 (pictured). Frank went on to recieve his massage license and served several terms as President of the AMTA. Clients spent the afternoon at Spa LaBelle getting a whirlpool then massage or several months eating a nourishing diet combined with natural therapies. I was blessed to have Catherine and Frank as my grandparents and have them in my life for many years. They bestowed upon me a compendium of knowledge about health, life & the keys to vitality. I would later draw on these principals as the inspiration for Camp Cabarita.