A Marine Conservation Summer Camp
Several environmental groups have partnered up to host a conservation camp in locations across Belize, namely Belize City, Gales Point Manatee and Placencia. The first week of the camp took place at Belize Elementary School in Belize City and the next stop is Gales Point Manatee. News Five’s Duane Moody was there for the conclusion of this week’s leg of the camp. Here’s his report.
Duane Moody, Reporting
Approximately forty primary school children were engaged over the last five days in a marine conservation summer camp. They were learning everything about the environment.
Ilonel Cawich
Ilonel Cawich, 7-Year-Old Participant
“I couldn’t go to camp because it was eight and older, but then they said that they would accept me.”
Reporter
“What did you learn from this program?”
Ilonel Cawich
“That there are three laws about the hicatees.”
Reporter
“And what are those three laws?”
Ilonel Cawich
“It is illegal to buy or sell a hicatee even if it is cooked already.”
Priya Arnold
Priya Arnold, 5-Year-Old Participant
“I learned that you can’t throw trash in the sea or else the animal will get stuck in them.”
Reporter
“What are some of the fun things that you did? Is there anything that you like?
Priya Arnold
“I like the bingo.”
Duane Moody
“They spoke about all these different types of animals. Is there anyone in particular that you liked?”
Priya Arnold
“I liked the manatee because it is cool.”
Reporter
“What you learn from the program?”
Canway Galvez Jr.
Canway Galvez Jr., 10-Year-Old Participant
“To protect the manatee.”
Reporter
“And what are some of the fun activities that you liked?”
Canway Galvez Jr.
“The bingo and the arts and craft.”
It’s an annual camp that began before COVID and is now resuming. Program Coordinator for the Clearwater Marine Aquarium Institute Jamal Galvez says that it is about moulding future conservationists.
Jamal Galvez
Jamal Galvez, Program Coordinator, Clearwater Marine Aquarium Institute
“We need to teach these children the idea of conservation otherwise we are going to have to teach them survival. They are the next generation and it is upon us to teach them and to guide them and provide that knowledge and it is critical for them to be able to carry on the work beyond where we are because we can only go so far.”
This is only the first of three camps.
Jamal Galvez
“Today is the conclusion. We are doing six-day summer camps across the country. In Belize City, Placencia, Gales Point. The hope was to be in even more community;; funding is always a limitation, but no excuse, we are still going to try and squeeze in other areas if possible. But the goal is to try and share the conservation message with the next generation, especially the kids that are living along the coast.”
Duane Moody
“How many were engaged?”
Jamal Galvez
“We are looking forward to have sixty kids at each site. Some sites may be more. I think Gales Point may be seventy; Placencia I think we are around sixty as well. So in the end we may have around a hundred and sixty-something kids total if everybody show up. They will now have the knowledge to go home, but also to share with their siblings and parents.”
Duane Moody for News Five.
