FOCUS ON
BELIZE
GIRL SCOUTS OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
Cable Cars to Cayes: Adventure Belize
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Learning by doing
Marine science
Cooperative learning
Environmental science
Developing leadership skills
June 22-30, 2016
Make friends with local Girl
Guides during this exciting 7-day
adventure in Belize.
In addition to its rich Maya history,
Belize boasts a variety of unspoiled
natural habitats, including the most
pristine lowland tropical broadleaf
rainforest left in Central America.
While delving into local culture and
history, discover the biodiversity of
Belize and take action to protect
it by contributing to meaningful
scientific research projects.
Snorkeling the Belize Barrier Reef
at Tobacco Caye provides firsthand
opportunities to explore a coral reef
ecosystem and the life it sustains.
DISCOVER
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Observe and identify a host of marine life while snorkeling the Belize Barrier Reef
at Tobacco Caye.
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Hike through the tropical rainforest to discover the unique flora and fauna.
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Search for crocodiles and nocturnal wildlife during night hikes and canoe rides.
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Visit the ruins of Xunantunich.
CONNECT
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Experience your adventure accompanied by Belizean Girl Guides.
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Discover local culture and cuisine while purchasing fruits and vegetables at the
market.
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Learn about the connection between inland activities and coastal environments.
TAKE ACTION
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Participate in bird surveys, observations, and mistnetting.
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Evaluate the Sibun River watershed with water quality testing kits.
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Work on a service project at the Belize Zoo.
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ITINERARY
BLD = BREAKFAST, LUNCH, DINNER
JUNE 22 - SAN FRANCISCO AREA
Meet at San Francisco airport hotel (to be determined) at midday.
Travel group introductions. Activity in San Francisco area (to be
announced). Overnight at San Francisco area airport hotel. (D)
JUNE 23 - WESTERN HIGHWAY
Flight to Belize City; upon arrival at the international airport
transfer along the Western Highway to the Tropical Education
Center, adjacent to the Belize Zoo. After settling in at the dorms,
there will be some time to explore the
grounds before dinner. Later meet in the
education center for an introduction to
local Girl Guides and review the course.
Evening night walk to look for wildlife
including Morelet’s crocodiles in the
lagoon. Overnight at Belize Zoo’s Tropical Education Center. (D)
JUNE 24 - WESTERN HIGHWAY
Today there will be a talk on the tropical savanna ecosystem
followed by hiking along trails to explore the ecosystem firsthand.
This afternoon visit the ruins of Xunantunich. Later work on a
service project at the Belize Zoo. Overnight at Belize Zoo’s Tropical
Education Center. (BLD)
JUNE 25 - WESTERN HIGHWAY
Today, take a morning hike in a rainforest environment and
then explore the watershed during a float on the Sibun River
with water quality kits with local Girl Guides. This evening there
will be a discussion on how inland activities impact the coastal
environments in Belize and around the world. Overnight at Belize
Zoo’s Tropical Education Center. (BLD)
JUNE 26 - TOBACCO CAYE
Transfer with the Girl Guides to the Riverside Cafe in Dangriga
Town for an opportunity to purchase supplies in the well stocked
shops and produce market. While the stay on Tobacco Caye
includes meals, you can purchase snacks here. Next board the
boats and begin the ride out of the mouth of the Stann Creek
River across 12 miles of turquoise lagoon. In approximately 35
minutes arrive at the base for marine exploration, among some
of the world’s richest biodiversity. The Belize Barrier Reef wraps
around Tobacco Caye, providing safe and convenient access
from shore. After lunch have snorkeling gear fitted and receive a
briefing on how to effectively use equipment and interact with
the coral reef before beginning
the first snorkeling experience
on the reef. Beach volleyball
and then dinner. Tonight the
first classroom session is an
introduction to natural resource
management in Belize and
the South Water Caye Marine
Reserve marine protected area. Finish with a fish identification
session featuring video of common and unusual inhabitants of the
coral reefs. Overnight at Tobacco Caye Lodge. (BLD)
JUNE 27 - TOBACCO CAYE
Spend the day exploring the ecosystems of South Water Caye
Marine Reserve. Belize’s largest protected marine area provides
the canvas for a full day of adventure. Today’s sites include Whale
Shoal patch reef, South Water
Caye fore reef, Smithsonian
Institution’s CCRE Facility at
Carrie Bow Caye, Man-O-War
Caye Bird Sanctuary, and Twin
Cayes Mangrove boardwalk.
Lunch on South Water Caye
Beach then return to Tobacco
Caye. After dinner the second classroom session will focus on
marine ecology and how mangroves, seagrass beds, and coral reefs
interact with the terrestrial environment and each other to create
the marine world. Overnight at Tobacco Caye Lodge. (BLD)
JUNE 28 - TOBACCO CAYE
Half day of snorkeling amongst
the spur and groove coral of the
fore reef and alongside the roots
of the mangrove forest. Lucky
visitors may spot resident West
Indian Manatees while cruising
through the inner waters of
Tobacco Range. Lunch is followed
by leisure time to snorkel from
the shore. After dinner, experience
an exciting night snorkel in the lagoon. Step off the dock into
a nocturnal world of cephalopods, moray eels, arthropods, and
echinoderms. Underwater lights are provided but must be turned
off temporarily to observe the phosphorescent dinoflagellates.
Overnight at Tobacco Caye Lodge. (BLD)
JUNE 29 - FAREWELL TO BELIZE
Bid farewell to the Girl Guides then transfer by boat to Dangriga
for flight to Belize City International Airport. Connect with flight
to San Francisco. Upon arrival take the Days Inn shuttle service
to the hotel. Overnight at Days Inn. (B)
JUNE 30 - FINAL GOODBYES
Last group meal before departures. Pick up by families at San
Francisco airport hotel. (B)
PROGRAM PRICING
$2,950
Cost includes international airfare estimated at $900 from San
Francisco, accommodations, meals, gratuities, transportation, full-time
guide, activities, and travel insurance.
Does not include any fees for checked luggage.
THE FINE PRINT
Based on 12 participants; with 15 cost will be reduced by $100. A $200 per
person deposit and enrollment form is required to hold your space on the trip.
Prior to February 22, 2016, the deposit is refundable less a $100 cancellation
fee. After February 22, 2016, cancellations are not refundable.
Payment due dates:
$1,000 December 31, 2015
Balance: February 22, 2016
Cancellations are not refundable. Each participant must have a valid passport
to enter Belize.
FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO ENROLL:
Contact Erika So at [email protected] or 925-642-4647 | http://holbrook.travel/gsbelize