Ignacio Volunteer Nataly Cardenas with her students

Belize Winter Camp

Monday, December 27, 2010 -- Saturday, January 8, 2011 
 
RECRUITMENT FOR THIS PROGRAM BEGINS ON TUES, MARCH 23 !
 
Eight Loyola University New Orleans students will serve as teachers & coaches at a five-day Christmas camp and a short construction project in the Mayan villages of English-speaking Belize, Central America.
 
The trip is a twelve-day immersion experience over the Loyola winter break, departing on Mon, Dec 27, 2010 and returning on Sat, Jan 08, 2011.  The five-day Christmas camp (Dec 29-Jan 5) will be held in the Mayan village of San Jose, a small village without electricity and running water.  Volunteers will live together on mats in the village community center.    
 
The Camp will be held at the primary school in San Jose, and each participant will teach in the mornings (English, Math & Arts & Crafts) and lead the students in sports & games in the afternoons.
 
The camp is facilitated by Fr. Ted Dziak, SJ.  
 
Program Procedures and Requirements

  • Recruitment will begin with Information meetings on Tues, Mar 23 at 12:30pm and on Wed, Mar 24 at 5:00pm in the Manresa Den (Bobet 107).
  • Deadline for applications is Monday, April 12.   On-line Application will be available after March 23.
  • Open only to undergraduate students at Loyola University New Orleans.  Applicants will be invited for group interviews.  All volunteers MUST be present at a required overnight retreat early in the fall semester.
  • Participants will meet weekly, at a convenient time for all, usually in the evenings. Meetings will range from discussions of Mayan history/culture / rain forest/ ecology to planning camp lessons to community building activities and fundraising strategy sessions. There will be a reflection at each meeting.
  • Participants are required to fundraise as a group and as individuals to cover the cost of the program. Goal is $1,200 per person, which includes airfare. There are limited "Magis" grants available to assist those who fall a little short.
  • Participants will need to get a Hepatitis A vaccine immunization, malaria pills and typhoid immunization. A U.S. Passport is required or the appropriate visa if the participant is not a U.S. citizen.