Join us as we run a summer literacy camp for local youth alongside national lead literacy educator, Mrs. Emily Martinez Palacio, and explore the beauty of Belize.

Who is Mrs. Emily Martinez Palacio?

Mrs. Emily is a national leader in Belize and we are grateful to have a deep partnership supporting youth in their literacy development together.

She has been a primary-level educator for over thirty years and has been an icon in the country modeling a passionate educator who not only leads by example, but takes on many initiatives of her own.

With English being the national language of Belize, we co-teach at her summer literacy program in the capitol of Belmopan. Together, we lead classrooms full of local students in various educational activities to be that support bridging their educations over the summer.

Emily is a dynamic leader and it is an inspiration to be in her presence. Our summer partnership is always a phenomenal experience, so please join us as we support local youth and explore the beauty of Belize!

Work alongside a national leader, Mrs. Emily, at her literacy center and support a summer literacy camp, create new friendships, and continue your journey as a global citizen!  Partner closely with youth in a new culture as you share your skills!

Explore Belize:  Historic Actun Tunichil Muknal cave (as seen on National Geographic), The Belize Zoo, the historic Mayan ruins, local San Ignacio market, relax on a beautiful island, and snorkel the one-of-a-kind island reef!

Program Details:

• Dates (16 days): June 28 - July11, 2020

• Cost: $3,350

  • Costs are all-inclusive: all lodging, meals, land and water transportation, guides, excursions and gear, entrance fees, traveler’s insurance, service materials, etc.

  • Not included: international roundtrip airfare to/from home destinatinio, luggage fees, souvenirs

• Payment Plans Available (flexible!)

  • Deposit: Due at registration to reserve your space.

  • Remainder: Due by May 15, 2020

• Enrollment deadline: May 15, 2020

• Leadership

  • Kelli Soll, Global Service Partnerships

  • Emma Cassabaum, International Program Leader + Educator

INCLUDED FEATURES (Your all-inclusive adventure Includes):

• All overnight accommodations and meals (3 meals per day)

  • Mainland accommodations: Tropical Education Center

  • Caye accommodations: Tropical Paradise Hotel

• All trip transportation transfers: land and water

• Local guest speakers educated and specialized in education

• Guided service experience: preparation, guidance, materials, supplies, and facilitation in local village school and classroom

• Guided cultural excursions: Historic Mayan Ruins + Caves, local market, chocolate making demonstration, Green Iguana Conservation Project, cooking class, The Belize Zoo, Marie Sharp’s Hot Sauce, sailing and snorkeling the Belize Barrier Reef, etc.

• All admissions fees and gear for excursions

• Experienced, licensed local guides

• Traveler’s Insurance

• Facilitation of global citizenship and leadership curriculum

• Detailed travel and destination information to assist in your planning

ITINERARY (details subject to minor change):

Day 1 // ARRIVAL + INTRODUCTION 
Arrive at the Belize City International airport and immediately be greeted by Kelli upon exiting the airport. Transfer to our home base lodge.  We will get settled into our accommodations, discuss safety and home base orientation, relax, and have time to meet the other participants prior to our welcome dinner. 

Day 2 + 3 (Weekend) // CULTURE OVERLOAD + ACTUN TUNICHIL MUKNAL (ATM) CAVE

Following breakfast, we make our way to a hands-on chocolate making demonstration in the heart of San Ignacio town.  Learn more about the cocoa bean and its importance in the Mayan history and culture.  Visit the Green Iguana Conservation Project (GICP).  The local Saturday San Ignacio Market, a wonderful opportunity to share how locals purchase groceries, sell art, buy various home needs, etc., is a short walk from the GICP.  Lunch will be enjoyed at local restaurant in a nearby village and we head to the Xunantunich Maya Ruins (“Stone Lady”).  A beautiful climb to the top of the ruins is a 360-degree panoramic view of Belize and Guatemala.  We return to our home base for a delicious dinner.

We set out for the day’s adventure to the world-class Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave after breakfast.  The ATM excursion is a full day excursion and lunch is served.  We return to our home base for dinner.  Kelli will guide the program through a service preparation conversation with Dr. Minerva Pinelo, close partner and lead curriculum designer, to launch us into a week of service. 

Our dynamic Belizean guest speaker and close partner, Mrs. Emily Martinez, will introduce us to the history and culture of Belize to bring the day to a close. 

Days 4 - 8, 13 - 17 (Week days) // RUN SUMMER LITERACY PROGRAM + LOCAL AFTERNOON ADVENTURES AND IMMERSION
Breakfast will be served and we make our way to the local resource center for full mornings running classrooms full of primary-aged children. All travelers will be leading classrooms of students from Infant 1 through Standard Five (Grades 1 - 7).

After our service at the literacy center, we return to home base for lunch and to prepare for our afternoons of adventure:  The Belize Zoo, Marie Sharp’s Hot Sauce Factory, Creole drumming, a local cooking class, cave tubing, cultural dance class, etc.. 

The Belize Zoo, coined the “Best Little Zoo in the World” and home to only native species, will consist of our up close and personal tour provided by licensed zoo guides upon arrival.  At the Marie Sharp’s Hot Sauce Factory, Marie Sharp and her team share her entrepreneurial success story and the uniqueness of her internationally recognized Belizean pepper sauces.  Participate alongside our local kitchen staff to learn how to make a local dish for dinner and take a recipe home.  

Each evening will be closed with a guided service conversation preparing us for the next day of service, and a reflection on our time in country together.  

Days 8 - 10 (Weekend) // SERVICE + BACK TO SEA LEVEL + SNORKEL + SAIL
Breakfast will be served and depart for the literacy center.  After lunch, we depart for the water taxi in Belize City for a full weekend in paradise.  We take in the beautiful view of the crystal clear Caribbean Sea from the water ferry as we land on the island of Caye Caulker.  We settle into our island accommodations upon arrival, and dinner is served at a restaurant only walking distance from the hotel.

Breakfast will be served the following morning at the most delicious breakfast restaurant on the caye, Amor y Café.  We head next door to our snorkel shop to be fitted for our gear and hop on the catamaran with the best guide on the island, Carlos.  This day brings a spectacular full day of sailing and snorkeling alongside sea turtles and other colorful sea life, and a delicious local lunch is served on the boat.  We return to the island and dinner is served at a local restaurant walking distance from the hotel.

Spend final moments on the caye picking up last-minute souvenirs or taking in the beachside sunrise views on the beach.  We transfer back to Belize City to return to home base. 

Day 18 // DEPART + GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP
Breakfast will be served and travelers share their final goodbyes to new friends. Travelers return to the states and/or remain in country for personal travel.

It only takes a $250 deposit to reserve your spot on this unique Belize trip!

Congratulations on your decision to join our international service program in Belize, Central America!  You are now on your way (and continuing your impactful journey) to global citizenship.  

In order to complete your program registration, simply click on the big green registration button below.  We kindly ask each service participant to complete the brief form and submit the nonrefundable deposit of $250 to confirm your registration.  

If you have questions about what is and what is not included with your trip or our refund policy please click the expanding links below.