Belize: Spring Break Ridge to Reef Expedition™

Please see the NOTICE ON PROGRAM UPDATES at the bottom of this sample itinerary for details on program changes.

Please note that program activities may change in order to accommodate COVID-19 regulations.

Learn about the challenges facing communities and ecosystems while exploring diverse wildlife, nature and culture.

OVERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS Learn about landscape connectivity and the importance of a ★ sustainable and long-term approach to ecosystem management by Volunteer for a trash cleanup and getting hands on with an award-winning non-profit organization tracking initiative to preserve that you will support along the way. Belize is rich with experiences biodiversity landscapes ★ -- from culture and history to music and food -- there is something Discuss critical issues around land new to enjoy every step of the way. Dive into the new sights, connectivity and preservation in high sounds and smells in this 8-day spring break experience. impact areas ★ Snorkel over beautiful coral reefs and spot marine life ★ Tour an ancient archaeological site Tuition: $2,999 8-DAY PROGRAM and touch history Service Hours: 13 ★ Zipline through the jungle canopy March 27 - April 3 Language Hours: 0

April 3 - April 10 Max Group Size: 16

Age Range: 14-19 Student-to-Staff Ratio: 8-to-1 Airport: Belize City (BZE)

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SPOTLIGHT ON COMMUNITY SERVICE

The focus of the program will be to learn the importance of ecosystem connectivity and management, and the complexities that exist as one tries to balance the natural world with the tourism practices and the needs of the local communities. Students will conduct a trash clean up initiative in three different ecosystems: along an inland riverbank, along a coastal area, and at a marine caye. Compare and contrast what you are finding during your project as you catalog the trash collected. Your data will help determine the possible sources of the trash found -- which can lead future volunteers to possibly take action towards the sources of these trash pieces.

SAMPLE ITINERARY: DAILY BREAKDOWN

Actual schedule and order of activities will vary by program session. The information detailed here is typical for what you can expect to experience; however, service work and activities vary depending upon the needs of our local community partners, various celebrations and customs, as well as the weather and specific needs of the student group.

DAY 1: WELCOME TO BELIZE!

After landing at the international airport in Belize City, you will be met by staff and hop into our private transportation to begin our journey to the Toledo district in Southern Belize. Along the way, stop for a late lunch between the city and the capital of Belmopan. The journey will take you through the diverse landscape of Belize, from savannahs and tropical forest, to orchards and banana plantations. The Hummingbird Highway is a highlight that takes you through the Maya Mountains -- a great way to introduce you to the biodiverse landscapes in the small country of Belize. You will arrive at the

Home Base in the village of Big Falls in time for a family style dinner and a good night’s rest.

DAY 2: ADVENTURE DAY!

In the morning, visit the ancient Maya archeological site of Nim Li Punit, which translates from the Qʼeqchiʼ Maya language as “big hat”. While not big in stature, the site boasts a number of stelae – carved stones that depict the city’s rulers –plazas, a ball court and burial tombs, as well as spectacular views of the Toledo district. Your guide will bring the site to life as they describe the customs and beliefs of the ancient civilization. In the afternoon, visit Rio Blanco National Park, where a short walk will take you to a spectacular swimming area and waterfalls. During the dry season, the falls are gentle and it is the perfect place to relax in nature, with jungles all around. For the more adventurous, jump into the pools below or visit the bridge for an even better view.

DAY 3: COMMUNITY SERVICE BEGINS + DRUM LESSON

Travel into the coastal town of Punta Gorda – the largest town in the Toledo district – and explore the town during a walking tour. Visit the market to see the range of fruits, vegetables, and foods for sale, and soak up the mix of local cultures as you learn about the town’s infrastructure. Next, visit the

headquarters of the local NGO that you are working with, to learn more about their work in protected areas management and community development in Toledo. You will be introduced to the ridge-to-reef concept of ecosystem

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management, and conduct your first service project with a trash clean up along the coastline beside the office. Catalogue the trash found to see if its origin can be determined. Finally, immerse in the rhythms of the Creole culture as you enjoy a traditional drumming lesson, before returning to Big Falls for dinner.

DAY 4: COMMUNITY REFORESTATION + SERVICE

Visit the rural community of San Pedro Columbia and work with members of the Xucaneb community reforestation group. The group has been working to reforest areas along the Columbia River after Hurricane Iris caused much damage in 2001. Learn the importance of this work as you visit the tree nursery and assist the group as they replant trees in the nursery. Then plant trees along the banks of the river. In the afternoon, conduct a trash clean up along the river bank, and catalogue what you find.

DAY 5: SERVICE ON THE MONKEY RIVER

Travel to the remote coastal community of Monkey River Village. Travel by boat up the river where you will encounter tropical birds, iguanas and maybe even crocodiles sunning on the riverbanks. Walk the jungle trail where you will hear the roars of the local howler monkey population, and see them in their treetop habitat. With approximately 200 inhabitants who rely primarily on fishing and tourism, the community understands the importance of protecting the ecosystems around them. However, erosion is severely impacting the village with many homes already lost, and you will learn about this and how their landscape is under threat from activities taking place elsewhere. Conduct a trash clean up along the shoreline and conduct a cataloguing activity. In the afternoon, visit the inland community of Medina Bank, and relax as you enjoy a river tubing adventure. Sit back, relax, and look through the treetops as the river gently takes you downstream.

DAY 6: SNORKEL + SERVICE

Hop aboard in Punta Gorda for today’s adventure in the beautiful blue waters of the Caribbean Sea. Learn about mangrove and coral reef ecosystems and how local organizations are managing the marine reserve. Travel slowly along the coastline and lagoon in the hopes of seeing gentle manatees surfacing for air. Snorkel over coral reefs and watch as colourful fish dart here and there. Eat lunch on the beach of a beautiful mangrove caye, and conduct a trash clean up and catalogue what you find.

DAY 7: CACAO + ZIPLINING

Visit a traditional cacao farm and learn how Maya farmers have been growing and making chocolate for centuries – using techniques passed through the generations. Have a go at grinding roasted cacao beans and sample as the flavor is transformed from bean to bar. In the afternoon, soar through the jungle top with a zip-lining adventure. Zig zag across the Rio Grande River and enjoy spectacular views as you breeze through the forest. Enjoy a final family style dinner before an early night in preparation for travel tomorrow.

DAY 8: GOOD-BYE, BELIZE!

Rise early for your transfer back to Belize City to catch your departure flights. You may be leaving Belize, but your experiences and memories will be truly

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un-Belizeable!

NOTICE ON PROGRAM UPDATES

Every year brings new and exciting opportunities for experiences we can offer students on our programs. While this program is being planned for 2021, some activities or details may change between now and the program start date. Please note that references from past participants and previously published information may not accurately reflect every aspect of this program. Refer to the sample itinerary above or to the GLA website for the most up-to-date version of program activities, and please note that further updates may be made between now and the program start date.

POSSIBLE CHANGES TO PROGRAM ACTIVITIES DUE TO COVID-19

Due to the global pandemic caused by COVID-19 outbreaks around the world, please note that program activities may change in order to accommodate COVID-19 regulations. In particular, service projects and other activities that typically involve close contact or engagement with members of the local community may be curbed, altered or skipped depending on staff evaluations on the ground and/or at the discretion of our Executive Director and Director of Program Operations & Risk Management. Every effort will be made to provide an exceptional experience on-location, at whatever level of community interaction is deemed safe at the time.

TRAVELING TO BELIZE

GLA HOME BASE | Home Base is a retreat that sits in private protected lands, adjacent to Big Falls Village in the Toledo District. Set back from the Southern Highway, it is the perfect peaceful retreat while having close access to the activities throughout the program. All rooms contain bunk-style beds and there is plenty of outdoor space and a screened veranda to enjoy the sounds of nature day and night.

FOOD | Belizean cuisine has traditional dishes from each ethnic group and GLA cooks at Home Base will provide many options for you to sample. The traditional and world-famous Belize Rice and Beans with potato salad is a staple in the Belizean diet. Rice and beans with a choice of beef, chicken, or pork is a common meal.

CLIMATE | The Southern region, where the Home Base is located, has a subtropical climate, with a well-marked dry season from late February to May and a wet season from June to November that is interrupted from August to September by another dry season. Temperatures vary -- the daily average temperatures are around 81/82°F ( 27/28°C ), with highs around 86/90°F, (30/32°C)

LEADERSHIP

Global Leadership Adventures started as an educational institute, so we continue to think and act like educators—not tour operators—as we deliver life-changing programs. We intentionally weave a leadership curriculum into the daily experience on our programs. Through group discussion, meaningful service, workshops, speakers and excursions, staff guide students to reflect on program events through the lens of leadership, and celebrate outstanding examples of leaders they encounter in the local community. Lending this context to the experience creates opportunities for students to dig deep into their vision, purpose and knowledge of themselves and the world.

ABOUT GLOBAL LEADERSHIP ADVENTURES

Global Leadership Adventures was founded in 2003 by Fred Swaniker, a native of Ghana, TED Fellow and educational entrepreneur whose work has been praised by Barack Obama. Born as a global extension of the revolutionary African Leadership Academy, Global Leadership Adventures now operates programs centered around leadership, sustainable community service projects, and meaningful travel across Africa, Asia, Europe or the Americas. Through life-changing adventures, we strive to inspire

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the next generation to realize their potential to transform the world and their role in it.

GLA HAS BEEN FEATURED IN:

Our Expectations

Be present Our mission at GLA is “to inspire the next generation to realize their potential to transform the world and their role in it.” To that end, we expect GLA students to maintain high standards of personal behavior and to be open-minded. The culture may be different, sometimes shockingly so. GLA will challenge students as they are expected to work hard and be present physically and mentally for all activities. We also ask students to take a step back from regular use of technology - particularly their smartphones - so as to maximize their engagement with the program and their fellow participants. Students may get hot, dirty and bug-bitten along the way, but their contribution can transform the community. The goal is for each student to return home having had a life-changing experience.

No tolerance GLA has a no-tolerance policy towards drugs, alcohol, tobacco and disruptive behavior. Those who violate or are suspected of violating this policy will be immediately dismissed from the program at the sole discretion of GLA staff.

Community-Led experiences GLA makes every effort to offer thoughtfully crafted programs for teens and young adults. Detailed planning and exhaustive communications with partners are indispensable parts of our program development process. However, occasionally service and activities are adjusted from session to session, due to weather, changing needs of our local community partners and/or various cultural celebrations and customs. We expect participants to be open-minded and flexible, willing to embrace the experience when plans change. GLA makes every effort to communicate adjustments to students and families with advance notice. We expect you to be open-minded and flexible.

Mentorship GLA is not a therapy program. Our staff are highly skilled, professional, caring and fun, but they are not licensed therapists. GLA programs can be physically and emotionally demanding, and applicants should be in good physical and mental health.