Green Reef Receives PACT Environmental Support Grant for Summer Youth Camp

Green Reef, a marine conservation NGO, was awarded a PACT Environmental Support Grant to undertake a four week summer camp at at Basil Jones on North Ambergris Caye adjacent to the Bacalar Chico Marine Reserve.

The Summer Youth Camps is being spearheaded by Green Reef in collaboration with Oceana, Hol Chan Marine Reserve, Marine Education Research & Rehabilitation Institute (MEER), Tranquility Bay Resort, The San Pedro Sun, the Department of Youth Services and the San Pedro House of Culture (NICH) with financial support from the Protected Areas Conservation Trust (PACT).

One hundred campers will have the unique opportunity to participate in this fun-filled adventure and experience the thrill of a lifetime at a week-long summer camp. Campers will pack their bags and head to an idyllic beach-side retreat, where they will indulge in over-the-top competitions inspired by classic camp games, learn about Belize's marine natural resources and create unique art & rafts from sustainable materials.

The summer program includes (i) Camping, (ii) Physical exercise, (iii) Personal administration courses on leadership skills, personal development, marine safety and entrepreneurship, (iv) Sports and water-base

activities including football, beach volleyball, snorkeling, kayaking, canoeing, swimming, traditional

camp games, story-telling and hiking, (v) Art & Crafts lessons using sustainable materials, (vi) Reef conservation lectures, (vii) Campfire, (viii) Camp social/talent show, (ix) Sea Turtle beach clean-up, (x)

Our environmental education curriculum will focus on the primary habitats of the coastal and marine environment, highlighting its unique characteristics as well as ecosystem interdependence and the importance of human relationships with nature. The program will deliver important science concepts in a safe, fun-filled learning environment for youth ages 11-17. Campers will have the unique opportunity to take field trips, kayak, snorkel, conduct beach clean-up and participate in other field activity based ocean science adventures.

The summer camp programme aims to promote conservation and preservation of the Belize Barrier Reef as we work towards youth empowerment in Belize.