Pre-Trip Planning
Group Orientation Ideas
Previous educational groups traveling to Belize have found that a thorough orientation before traveling increases both enjoyment and learning for the students, and reassures parents.
Possible activities:
- Overnight "shakedown" camping trip
- Hiking (or canoeing) trip to compare local ecology with Belizean ecology
- Discussion & comparison of local and Belizean conservation issues
- Short student presentations on different aspects of Belize, such as modern political history, Mayan history, wildlife, coral reefs, conservation efforts, music & arts, etc.
- Listen to some Belizean music (Punta Rock, Garifuna)
- Read Mayan myths around a campfire
- Volunteer with a local conservation activity (i.e. forest management, river clean-up)
- Prepare a traditional Belizean meal together (lots of recipes online)
- Propose a photo contest with People and Places categories, talk about how to take great photos with cultural sensitivity