By: Phillip Flores, 10 years old
The following is a submission of one of our applicants to this year’s Chaa Creek Eco Kids Summer Camp.
Officially known as the Children’s Summer Camp Scholarship Program, the annual event gives 24 young Belizeans between the ages of 8 and 13 a chance to learn about their natural world through a mix of adventure, social interaction, fun and hands-on education aimed at instilling a sense of wonder and responsibility for the environment.
The Eco Kids are selected after submitting a 300 word written essay which is reviewed and shortlisted by the Chaa Creek scholarship committee with the winners going on to attend the summer camp.
Chaa Creek will be providing all lodging, three healthy meals and snacks each day, structured educational activities, arts and craft materials, tee shirts, 24-hour camp counselor supervision, and guided tours conducted by licensed naturalist guides.
Good luck potential Eco Kids!
Why I would like to be an Eco-Kid
On Wednesday afternoon during class, the teacher came and gave a great news about a first class resort namely, Chaa Creek Resort, one of the best small resort in the world, was giving a one in a lifetime experience summer camp for students our age. After listening carefully to the rules for participation, I immediately became interested in joining this summer camp.
One of my great passions is watching the wonderful flower and the vegetation and the different aromas from the different plants. I enjoy the wonderful views, watching the bees and butterflies picking on the flowers. At the age of five, I had the opportunity to visit a cave at Che Chem Ha. It was an experience that I have not forgotten. I started the journey to the cave by riding a mule. After riding for about 100 yard, I fell off the mule and I had to continue the journey by foot. What a wonderful experience it was to see what our ancestors left behind – the pottery, their religious beliefs and the way they lived. Given the opportunity to attend this camp would give me the opportunity to increase my knowledge of their existence, culture and traditions.
It is said that at Chaa Creek one can come in close contact with wild animals that exist in Belize in their natural habitat. It will be a wonderful experience if I am fortunate to have the opportunity to see for myself what Mother Nature has given us and to learn more as to how we can partake or assist in the preservations of what we have. Many Belizeans take it for granted. It is important to value our flora and fauna, for when they become extinct, we start to lament and wonder what we could have done though it is too late.
It would be a great experience to be part of the group attending the camp because it will give me the opportunity to interact with other children my age from different parts of the country and possibly of different cultures.
I would take this opportunity to thank and congratulate Chaa Creek in sponsoring this event and taking the initiative in proving this valuable educational experience to our youth.