Bobbi Rossiter, Chief Cultural Facilitator / Co-Founder
Bobbi has dedicated her life to sharing the Jamaican experience with children growing up abroad. Recognizing the importance of culture and heritage for improved understanding and communications between generations, she enlisted her own family members to gather favorite recipes, music, and community touchstones and created what she calls “A Jamaican Cultural Development Center for Kids.”
Armed with core abilities in leadership, extensive project management skills, impressive talents in the healthcare field, and substantial gifts for relationship-building reinforced by her degrees in Psychology and International Studies, Bobbi has been leading a small army of staff, family, friends, associates, and volunteers to ensure no child of the Jamaican Diaspora ever forgets where he or she came from.
Bobbi is now transitioning her collection of original and contributed ideas into the first-ever summer camp focusing exclusively on helping children between ages 6-17 to have the experience of a lifetime. Under the tutelage of her professional team, campers can expect to participate in guided explorations of the very essence of Jamaica, fully immersing themselves in the rich fiber of the Jamaican experience.
Armed with core abilities in leadership, extensive project management skills, impressive talents in the healthcare field, and substantial gifts for relationship-building reinforced by her degrees in Psychology and International Studies, Bobbi has been leading a small army of staff, family, friends, associates, and volunteers to ensure no child of the Jamaican Diaspora ever forgets where he or she came from.
Bobbi is now transitioning her collection of original and contributed ideas into the first-ever summer camp focusing exclusively on helping children between ages 6-17 to have the experience of a lifetime. Under the tutelage of her professional team, campers can expect to participate in guided explorations of the very essence of Jamaica, fully immersing themselves in the rich fiber of the Jamaican experience.
Lorraine Aarons, Physical & Mental Maintenance Chief / Co-Founder
As a mother and grandmother, Lorraine knows all about the issues kids encounter on a daily basis. Lorraine has helped raise three multi-cultural grandchildren, and experienced first-hand the challenges of a generation raised by island natives living abroad. There isn’t anything you can throw at her that she can’t easily handle.
We’re fortunate to have Lorraine willing to share her strengths and wisdom with us. As a practicing health care provider for 10+ years, she blends advocacy of higher learning with plain old common sense, encouraging all around her to become their “best selves.”
A firm believer that deeply rooted trees cannot be uprooted by a gentle breeze, you can count on Mama Lorraine to provide sage advice like “If you’re about to go to sleep and you haven’t learned something new today, you get out of bed.”
We’re fortunate to have Lorraine willing to share her strengths and wisdom with us. As a practicing health care provider for 10+ years, she blends advocacy of higher learning with plain old common sense, encouraging all around her to become their “best selves.”
A firm believer that deeply rooted trees cannot be uprooted by a gentle breeze, you can count on Mama Lorraine to provide sage advice like “If you’re about to go to sleep and you haven’t learned something new today, you get out of bed.”
Ainsworth Aarons, Chief of Security
A police officer in the Jamaica Constabulary Force for almost 20 years, nobody keeps a tighter handle on security at Irie Camp Jamaica than Officer Ainsworth. He knows everyone, has great relationships all over the island, and has a long history of anticipating issues before they become problems.
Officer Ainsworth is making special arrangements with the security detail attached to our facilities at St. Hilda's Diocesan High School in Brown’s Town. Parents and children alike can rest easy at night, knowing that no harm will come to anyone in the camp.
Officer Ainsworth is making special arrangements with the security detail attached to our facilities at St. Hilda's Diocesan High School in Brown’s Town. Parents and children alike can rest easy at night, knowing that no harm will come to anyone in the camp.
Walter Aarons, Logistics Chief
Affectionately known as Uncle Wally, Walter has owned and operated tour buses in Ocho Rios since the mid 90s. Knowledgeable, personable, and smart, guests invariably end their trips with him by friending him online and staying in touch…a lot!
A native of Jamaica and member of Maxi Tours, Walter knows the best coves, beaches and every highlight the island has to offer. His familiarity with local lore and points of interest allows him to customize each day’s visits to suit the interests of his intrepid travelers, and to ensure that the field trips for our campers will be sure to please.
A native of Jamaica and member of Maxi Tours, Walter knows the best coves, beaches and every highlight the island has to offer. His familiarity with local lore and points of interest allows him to customize each day’s visits to suit the interests of his intrepid travelers, and to ensure that the field trips for our campers will be sure to please.
Melanie Johnson, Program Director
You can’t have a really great summer camp without a really great program director. Recognizing that, Irie Camp Jamaica went out and got the best.
Melanie’s lifelong passion has always focused on three things: art, education, and all things Jamaican. As a former Petite Miss Jamaica, Miss Jamaica Universe runner-up, and two-time award winner for dramatic arts at the World Championships of the Performing Arts, Melanie is well-versed in the beauty and vibrance that one only finds here. And her humility and quick, easy laugh are nothing short of a breath of fresh air.
Take a few minutes to speak with this exciting woman who’s represented Jamaica on the global stage and knows more about our food, music, culture, and soul than the rest of us combined. We guarantee you’ll be captivated and will quickly see why Irie Camp Jamaica builds so much around our activities.
Melanie’s lifelong passion has always focused on three things: art, education, and all things Jamaican. As a former Petite Miss Jamaica, Miss Jamaica Universe runner-up, and two-time award winner for dramatic arts at the World Championships of the Performing Arts, Melanie is well-versed in the beauty and vibrance that one only finds here. And her humility and quick, easy laugh are nothing short of a breath of fresh air.
Take a few minutes to speak with this exciting woman who’s represented Jamaica on the global stage and knows more about our food, music, culture, and soul than the rest of us combined. We guarantee you’ll be captivated and will quickly see why Irie Camp Jamaica builds so much around our activities.
