Stanley Clark -- Belize Climate Change Program 2009

Student's flights!

2010-04-07T15:55:00.000-07:00

Hello parents! We just wanted to let you know that the students on the American Airline flight 1301 from Miami has been delayed and they are expecting to leave at 7:20pm and arrive in Chicago at 9:31pm.

The students on Delta flight 1946 are also delayed leaving Atlanta and are expecting to leave at 7:56pm and arrive in Chicago at 9:11pm.

Please call 303-679-3412 with any questions.

Erin Lasky
Program Director

Tuesday, April 6

2010-04-06T18:09:00.000-07:00

Jo Ellen: We have had another great day photographing the coral, running science experiments and night snorkeling. I will try to post several pictures. We have an early morning tomorrow (5:00 am) but are looking forward to our trip home.

sages post

2010-04-06T17:40:00.000-07:00

Mom! You haven't posted! COME ON! Naw just joking love you see you tom. Having a great time snorkeling, going on a night snorkel tonight. It reminds me of Kauaii! I saw a bunch of cool animals, tell you about it tom and we'll tell stories and stuff love you!
-Sage

2010-04-06T10:36:00.000-07:00

To Alex W. Hi there. So looking forward to tom. ! Can't wait to see you and hear about all of your adventures. Dad and I will be waiting for you at baggage claim, can't get to the gate. Have a safe trip and leave anything not worth keeping in the trash. Love you, Mom

2010-04-05T20:28:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone. My name is Saralena Barry and I was Mrs. Born's favorite student ever. I hope you are having a fantastic time in Belize. I know i did. I am jealous of all of you, and i wish i was there. Never let Mrs. Born win Mafia because that would be an embarraesment to society, because she was the worst lier ever. (i was the best at the game). Mr. Hunter I know you are probably on the verge of a nervous breakdown, because i am not there. but you can get through it. just stay tough. Have fun, be safe, and make good choices.

2010-04-05T18:47:00.000-07:00

Sarah Benedix Today we spent the whole day in the boat. We went to many different islands. The Smithsonian Research Center was on one island. We went to another island for lunch. The third island was occupied only by birds. I cant remember the specific names but we got to watch them fly around from the boat for a while and it was cool. My favorite part was going to the Smithsonian Research Center.

Alex's Blog

2010-04-05T17:42:00.000-07:00

Alex Rougeau-
Okay, so I actually haven't taken a turn to blog in a while cause I'm too lazy and couldn't be bothered, sorry. If you're taking the time to read this, then you should take the concept of my scarce blogs as an indication that I'm having way to much fun to be wasting time on a computer. Right now, we're on the Tabacco Caye, which is the closest I've ever been to paradise. On a regular day, I've seen maybe 20 other people on the island and the best word to describe the atmosphere is chill. When actually on the caye, I can pop open a Fanta (which actually tastes better because its sweetened with actual sugar cane), watch the ocean, and listen to the soft reggae music from the shops. The only things I would even consider changing are the facts that I have a vapid attitude from all the salt water that I have ingested/absorbed and I don't have a guitar. Though I don't want to leave, I'm not going to object when I can take a proper shower and play some music.

Monday, April 5

2010-04-05T15:56:00.000-07:00

Jo Ellen Born: It has been a very busy day. We left at 9:00 am to visit the Smithsonian Research Institute. It was fascinating to see their facilities. The island used to be 3 acres but has eroded down to .75 acres. We took the boat out to an atoll and the kids snorkeled around that. We then went to South Water Caye for a picnic lunch and a swim. From there we traveled to a mangrove island and learned about the mangrove tree's significance in protecting the islands from erosion. We then went to a protected island for frigate birds and then snorkeled among the roots of the mangroves. The kids have some down time now so they are playing volleyball with the kids on the island. Tomorrow we will be conducting science experiments in the Tobacco Caye Marine Station and snorkeling. It has been a great trip with many opportunities to learn. Your kids are great kids!!

Sunday, April 4 - Evening

2010-04-04T17:38:00.000-07:00

Danielle Pasalich- We have just arrived at Tobacco Caye, and it is really nice. The boat ride up was really bumpy (Mom you would've gotten sea sick). I sat in the second row and that was the worst decision ever! The front row had to go to the back for awhile and right when they did a huge wave came and I got soaked! Happy Easter! 4/4/10

Madeleine Thomas-The last couple days have been very fun. We have gone tubing, swimming in the river, and Mr. Hunter dunking everyone in the water. We arrived in Tobacco Caye today and the boat ride here was crazy! There were so many waves and I was close to the front and I got soaked! The boat ride was a lot of fun though, well I thought so. The Mayan Center where we stayed before Tobacco Caye, was very nice and our service project was very successful. A couple of us, including me, went out to play soccer with some of the kids. We met a lot of people and they were so good at soccer!!! And they were playing barefoot! Belize is a lot of fun and I am learning a lot more than I expected. Hope you guys had a great Easter!!!

Lukas Hostetler- Finished up community service yesterday, the class painted the kitchen, Sarah and I reorganized the entire library. Played soccer with the kids for the rest of that day. I'm on Tobacco Caye now, and it's great. It's super small- I could run around the island in one and a half minutes. And to end this, I'm going to point out how great the junk food is here in Belize- the Kit-Kat's taste better- and the Sprite actually comes in a glass bottle- for only $1.
I still have another 3 days to pig out- love ya mom.

on the island

2010-04-04T14:57:00.000-07:00

well we made it, and it is great. We just had a snorkeling session and saw some amazing fish, coral, and sting rays. Tomorrow we are gone all day snorkeling and doing science experiments. The kids are playing some sand volleyball right now. Things are going well.

April 4, 2010

2010-04-04T14:38:00.000-07:00

Tommy Yergler: Today we went snorkeling on the second biggest reef! We saw so many fish and it was just a blast. Earlier today, it was sad to have to leave all of our friends that we made in Maya center.

Justin Lee: Today we left Maya Center. Then we had an awesome boat ride to the cayes. We then explored Tobacco Island and then we went snorkeling. It was amazing!!

heading to the keys

2010-04-04T08:13:00.000-07:00

We are loaded and ready to roll to the keys. We have had a wonderful stay in Maya Center and the kids have made some good friends. Hopefully we will be able to blog later this afternoon. Everyone here is safe, healthy, and happy.

HAPPY EASTER TO ALL!

2010-04-04T07:44:00.000-07:00

Sounds like everyone is having a great time. We love hearing from you. Can't wait to see pictures.

Alex W. - Ryan is now 21, and Sami got her drivers licence. Watch out in both cases! It's nice here. We got over 80 degrees for 2 days. Sounds like you are having nice weather too. Take care, be good and keep having fun. Love, Mom and Dad

last day of service

2010-04-03T16:17:00.000-07:00

Hey folks today was our last day of service, you will not believe the transformation the kitchen has undertaken. The kids finished painting the walls, both inside and outside. We installed a sink, with running water, painted the cabinets, and a storage shelf. In the library we went through all the books and then organized them into different levels. Some of the kids played soccer with some of the locals. We went to some Mayan ruins this afternoon and now the kids are trying to pack up their stuff and get organized for the Tobacco Caye. I can't believe how fast the trip is going. We are having fun and staying safe.

Belize

2010-04-02T18:06:00.000-07:00

Jasmine- Yesterday was our first day of our service project. We are helping to fix a kitchen for the St. Jude's Primary School. We cleared the whole room and stained wood. It was a lot of work. Some of the group played soccer with a few of the kids from the school, too. At lunch time, most of the group walked back to the little village and ate lunch. We had burritos, and they were delicious. After lunch, we all went swimming near the tubing exit in the river. We had a lot of fun. Today was our second day of our service project. We painted the walls, cabinets, and the outside of the school kitchen. I helped sort out books in the library and helped painted. After lunch, we went tubing in the river. I saw a hawk and a toucan. We also swam in the river after tubing. For dinner, we had potatoes, chicken, and cabbage. Belize is really fun!

Maya Centre - Friday, April 2

2010-04-02T18:01:00.000-07:00

sage- yesterday we got to start working on the kitchen in the school. After wards, we went hiking to a river to go swimming, and on the way we saw jaguar tracks and other animals. Today, we almost finished painting the kitchen and then went tubing in the river. We saw a hawk, a snake, and a toucan. the food here is delicious. Love you mom and bella!

Mayan Center Village

2010-03-31T14:40:00.000-07:00

Hello parents,
I just heard from Jason Hunter and he informed me that the group is in Maya Center Village at the guesthouse and had a great day at the Mayan Museum, shrimp farm, etc. He says that there is little internet access so the group may only be blogging every few days. Tomorrow the group starts their service project at the St. Jude's Roman Catholic School. Everyone is healthy and happy, and the weather has been cool.
Ross Wehner, World Leadership School

Looking forward to more updates

2010-03-30T17:43:00.000-07:00

Great to hear that the adventure in Belize is off to a good start. Your work is setting a great example to the whole school, and you all should be very proud of yourselves. I must admit that I never expected to see the words "night hike" and "jaguar" in the same sentence but then again, my idea of "roughing it" is a hotel without cable.

Travel is the best education and you are creating a lifetime of memories.

Way to go!

Greg True

Happy Easter from the Pasalich's

2010-03-30T17:30:00.000-07:00

Hi All and Happy Easter. We love hearing what's going on and keep it up! Danielle make sure you are flossing twice a day and being a good service volunteer! Just kidding, but do love the updates. South Bend is having a warm week of temps in the 70's but we miss you all. Have a great trip and see you soon.

Mom, Dad, and Bella!!!!!

Having Fun in Cockscomb Basin!

2010-03-30T15:38:00.000-07:00

Hello Parents,

Jason just called me form the Cockscomb Wildlife Sanctuary and Jaguar Preserve and said the group is doing great. They had a great hike through the rain forest to waterfalls and are planning on heading out on a night hike tonight (If you want to see more info, about this unique natural area, click here: http://ambergriscaye.com/pages/town/parkcockscomb.html).

He says the weather is very nice, in the 80s, not too hot or sunny and the kids have been playing touch football outside the cabin where they are staying. They are adjusting well and looking forward to their adventure. From this point forward, Jason will try to update the blog every few days as communications in Belize are patchy at times.

Tomorrow they will explore the rain forest, head to a few different farms and the Mayan Museum before heading to the Nu-uk Che'il Guesthouse, where they will be staying the next four nights.

Ross Wehner
World Leadership School

All arrive safely in Belize

2010-03-30T07:21:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone,

Mr. Hunter called me on the sat. phone a few minutes ago, and asked me to post that everyone is safe, healthy and excited to begin their adventure. Apparently the electricity and internet at the jaguar preserve where the students are staying isn't working today, but the students hope to start blogging as soon as they can.

He also said Mrs. Born's group arrived at the exact time his group did, thanks to their delay! For now, Jason said the boys were up and showering at 6:30 a.m. (!), everyone is in great spirits, and the group plans to hike to a waterfall today and take a dip in the river.

Check back for more updates once they connect to the web.
Paige Risser, Mr. Hunter's wife

Parents Wave Goodbye

2010-03-29T13:39:00.000-07:00

The parents in Mrs. Born's group waved a very early 4:15 a.m. goodbye to their SCS students at O'Hare airport. After arriving back home in South Bend, we had a message from Danielle saying there was a three hour delay in Atlanta! So maybe both groups arrived in Belize together afterall?? Anyway, your parents miss you, appreciate your teachers, Mrs. Born and Mr. Hunter, and hope you have a terrific time. Don't forget the sunscreen!
Susan Steibe-Pasalich

Climate Change: Coral Reefs on the Edge

2010-03-24T03:32:00.000-07:00

If you are interested in learning more about climate change and its affect on coral reefs, there is a great video called "Climate Change: Coral Reefs on the Edge" presented by Professor Ove Hoegh-Guldberg who is one of the world's leading coral biologists. The information in the video is about the Belize coral reefs. You can access the video through the following website: http://site.videoproject.com/coralreefs/