The dates of the 2011 Belize Trip will be March 19 – 26 (Saturday - Saturday). You can look at the archive of the last two years on the side of this page to get a better idea of the enriching educational experience. If you have any questions, please contact Tammy at tcaruk@hammondschool.org.
We look forward to sharing this wonderful trip with your sons and daughters.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Friday, March 19, 2010
Caves Branch, Group III - Sarah
Its Friday morning, our last day in Belize. Group III is spending their last rotation in Caves Branch, and the view I see now is mountains and treetops from our third story, opened windowed, thatched roof dining room. Braeden's celebrating his 17th birthday Belize-style. As we chow down on biscuits with guava jelly and spicy sausage, we listen to Bob Marley and talk about the day ahead of us. On the agenda today is cave crawling all morning through lunch, and later onto Armenia, the village that charmed our hearts yesterday. In Armenia, we roll up in our Safari bus and all the local children flood an empty schoolyard. The little boys and girls all have ratty shoes and clothes, but the biggest smiles that stretch from ear to ear. It was amazing for all of us to see children who have nothing to hold and everything to be mad at, but are genuinely happy and grateful for everything. Their eyes lit up when we gave them books, shoes, hats; they couldn't believe what we were giving to them. They loved for us to pick them up, take pictures, and kick the soccer ball. Our breakfast time is coming to an end, so I must go get decked out in dri-fit everything for the cave. We will see y'all soon!!!! xoxoxox Sarah Felmly
PS: Mom, Dad: how about 5 Guys for dinner Saturday??
PS: Mom, Dad: how about 5 Guys for dinner Saturday??
Caves Branch Update
After a few days without an internet connection, we're back in business for the final leg of the trip. So many wonderful things have happened since the last post, and I'm excited for our students to return and share their experiences with everyone back home. Group III rotated to Caves Branch yesterday and immediately went deep in the jungle for the Black Hole Drop (300 ft rappel). I am proud to say that the Class of 2011 had 100% participation for the rappel (other than our students recovering for surgery). I have definitely seen some senior speech material in the making...
Group III had the opportunity to get introduced the village of Armenia yesterday afternoon, and we will head back there this afternoon after our waterfall cave expedition today. It's hard to believe that the trip is coming to a close.
Group III had the opportunity to get introduced the village of Armenia yesterday afternoon, and we will head back there this afternoon after our waterfall cave expedition today. It's hard to believe that the trip is coming to a close.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Group Two at Banana Bank
Group two has finally made it off of Gilligan's Island and is currently at Banana Bank. No more sharing ONE bathroom because these rooms are amazing. We got here and got to go horseback riding in the jungle! Any of us who were nervous ended up being pros by the end. It was one afternoon of riding I will never forget. Tomorrow is full of activities from touring the Mayan ruins to visiting the clinic everyone hears about. I can't believe my time in Belize is running out. This trip has been so amazing and an experience I will never forget!
--Annie Richardson
--Annie Richardson
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Group Three at Banana Bank
Group Three has been having a fantastic time here at Banana Bank--horseback riding in the jungle, Mayan ruins at Xunantunich, and ziplining through the trees--what's not to love?
When Group Three arrived on Monday, they settled into their cabanas before having lunch. After a bit of relaxation, we headed over to the zipline at Cave's Branch Outpost. Everyone enjoyed flying over the jungle, and most of us also enjoyed yelling like Tarzan while doing it!
On Tuesday, we started the day with a horseback ride through the jungle. In fact, the adventure began before we even left the corral because we all got to pick our horses and get a short horseback riding lesson from one of the ranch hands. Of course, Kyle got to ride the biggest horse--aptly named El Tigre because he's a beast, and he likes to bite other horses. Anna showed off her amazing equestrian skills by riding a rather large and wild thoroughbred. And, even though everyone made fun of me, I chose to ride Ciaobello again--the shortest and most donkey-like horse on the ranch. He's not much to look at, but he's all heart! I love him! Although everyone was a little sore by the end of the ride, we all enjoyed meeting our horses and seeing the beauty of the jungle.
Tuesday afternoon, we did a service project at the Valley of Peace, a former Salvadorian refuge camp. We teamed up with a church mission group from Texas to provide new desks for a local school. I was so proud of how everyone pitched in and loved seeing our kids interact with the elementary school students.
In fact, some of us enjoyed the ride so much that we chose to go on a night-ride in the jungle. It's unbelievable how dark it can be! Mr. Carr, the owner/head cowboy, was right--horseback riding at night is completely different than horseback riding during the day. You have to trust your horse completely because they can see the trail when you can't even see the branch in front of your face. Let me just say that I had sticks in my hair by the time we got to the campfire.
Today, we went to see the ruins at Xunantunich. Although we had to walk a mile up-hill to see them, it was worth it! The ruins are so amazing that we didn't even notice the one-hundred and fifty three steps up to the top of the main ruin, El Castillo. We also had a great time with our tour guide, Albert. Besides having an extensive knowledge of Belize, the Mayas, and local plant life, he's hilarious and has a strange affinity for leaf cutter soldier ants. Make sure to ask your child for details!
We hope you enjoy the pictures and the update, and we apologize for the delay in posting. The internet has been down for the last 48 hours. Remember, we're in the actual jungle here!
When Group Three arrived on Monday, they settled into their cabanas before having lunch. After a bit of relaxation, we headed over to the zipline at Cave's Branch Outpost. Everyone enjoyed flying over the jungle, and most of us also enjoyed yelling like Tarzan while doing it!
On Tuesday, we started the day with a horseback ride through the jungle. In fact, the adventure began before we even left the corral because we all got to pick our horses and get a short horseback riding lesson from one of the ranch hands. Of course, Kyle got to ride the biggest horse--aptly named El Tigre because he's a beast, and he likes to bite other horses. Anna showed off her amazing equestrian skills by riding a rather large and wild thoroughbred. And, even though everyone made fun of me, I chose to ride Ciaobello again--the shortest and most donkey-like horse on the ranch. He's not much to look at, but he's all heart! I love him! Although everyone was a little sore by the end of the ride, we all enjoyed meeting our horses and seeing the beauty of the jungle.
Tuesday afternoon, we did a service project at the Valley of Peace, a former Salvadorian refuge camp. We teamed up with a church mission group from Texas to provide new desks for a local school. I was so proud of how everyone pitched in and loved seeing our kids interact with the elementary school students.
In fact, some of us enjoyed the ride so much that we chose to go on a night-ride in the jungle. It's unbelievable how dark it can be! Mr. Carr, the owner/head cowboy, was right--horseback riding at night is completely different than horseback riding during the day. You have to trust your horse completely because they can see the trail when you can't even see the branch in front of your face. Let me just say that I had sticks in my hair by the time we got to the campfire.
Today, we went to see the ruins at Xunantunich. Although we had to walk a mile up-hill to see them, it was worth it! The ruins are so amazing that we didn't even notice the one-hundred and fifty three steps up to the top of the main ruin, El Castillo. We also had a great time with our tour guide, Albert. Besides having an extensive knowledge of Belize, the Mayas, and local plant life, he's hilarious and has a strange affinity for leaf cutter soldier ants. Make sure to ask your child for details!
We hope you enjoy the pictures and the update, and we apologize for the delay in posting. The internet has been down for the last 48 hours. Remember, we're in the actual jungle here!
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
The Belize expedition has been a great experience. So far I have been to Banana Bank and Caves Branch. At Banana Bank the main activity was horseback riding. This was a fun but painful experience that showed us the jungles of Belize. Banana Bank had many interesting animals, including a jaguar and a fanta-drinking monkey. These made the stay there very interesting. My next stop was Caves Branch, where I am currently located. Unable to participate in many of the activities here such as the rappel and the waterfall cave explorations, Mr. Hillard and I have been able to relax a little. It has been a good experience to get to know him again after not having him as a teacher since middle school. I look forward to our visits to the village of Armenia, where we will help the school children. I also can not wait for the soccer game we will attend tomorrow night. This expedition has been fun so far and I'm ready to get to do something after a couple of restful days.
Malachi Ware
Malachi Ware
Half way through our adventure!!!
It is day 5 of our incredible adventures through the amazing country of Belize. After saying goodbye to Group II yesterday, Chris and I had some uncommon free time (not a favorite of my "extreme" Headmaster) to chat, read, and reflect on what an unbelievable group of 11th grade students we have at Hammond! As we are discussing the activities of our "extreme" stop of the three rotations, the bus with Group I from Banana Bank arrive and we swing into action.
After a quick orientation, we load the kids up for the short drive down the Hummingbird highway, through the citrus orchard to the jungle path where we began to hike to the long awaited "Black Hole Drop". After hiking for about an hour up.. Up.. UP the mountain, which is definitely coach Scott approved, we stopped at the overlook to the over 300ft rappel. Since this group had such an early start to their day (6:30am), in order to zip line before leaving their last stop, we decided to have lunch looking out over the rock face these young skyhawks were about to conquer! Due to a recent surgery on his shoulder, Malachi and I watched from the lookout after lunch as the group slowly descended to the cave floor. We both enjoyed the many screams and expletives that echoed across the gorge. We shared a few laughs as we yelled across in support of the group. Having not taught Malachi for a few years, it was awesome to catch up with him and reconnect (just one of the many great things that happens on this trip)! Shortly thereafter, we rejoin the group and all hike back out to the citrus fields together. Before yet another amazing home cooked meal, a nice dip in the Sibun river was enjoyed by the guys in the group as the girls took this opportunity to shower! With such a strenuous and fulfilling day, the group ate to their fill, watched the video footage of themselves and the previous group, then settled in for a well deserved nights sleep.
As the sunrises over the jungle mountain top we wake the students to yet MORE FOOD and head out to get geared up for the day of exploration of the underworld, The Waterfall Caves!! Its such a hard life we live, Malachi and I will be hanging out at the main lodge this afternoon enjoying the sun, the people... and the brand new swimming pool and hot tub! Its tough... but someone has to do it! I promise to tell him what he would be doing (having done it a few times myself) play by play as we hang out! We will pick back up with our group in a few hours and head to what I consider the BEST part of the entire trip... YES THE BEST (in my opinion)... our trip into the village of Armenia! This village has become such a part of my heart, that I cant wait to see our students meet the kids of Armenia. I will be sure to report back and share some photos.
Hope everyone back home is enjoying their spring break. Everyone in Group I is well and having an amazing time. No worries!!! Just a quick shout out to Group II... hope you are not being too "frugal" on the island! Besley... you better be prepared I will be well practiced for a rematch!
Hillard
After a quick orientation, we load the kids up for the short drive down the Hummingbird highway, through the citrus orchard to the jungle path where we began to hike to the long awaited "Black Hole Drop". After hiking for about an hour up.. Up.. UP the mountain, which is definitely coach Scott approved, we stopped at the overlook to the over 300ft rappel. Since this group had such an early start to their day (6:30am), in order to zip line before leaving their last stop, we decided to have lunch looking out over the rock face these young skyhawks were about to conquer! Due to a recent surgery on his shoulder, Malachi and I watched from the lookout after lunch as the group slowly descended to the cave floor. We both enjoyed the many screams and expletives that echoed across the gorge. We shared a few laughs as we yelled across in support of the group. Having not taught Malachi for a few years, it was awesome to catch up with him and reconnect (just one of the many great things that happens on this trip)! Shortly thereafter, we rejoin the group and all hike back out to the citrus fields together. Before yet another amazing home cooked meal, a nice dip in the Sibun river was enjoyed by the guys in the group as the girls took this opportunity to shower! With such a strenuous and fulfilling day, the group ate to their fill, watched the video footage of themselves and the previous group, then settled in for a well deserved nights sleep.
As the sunrises over the jungle mountain top we wake the students to yet MORE FOOD and head out to get geared up for the day of exploration of the underworld, The Waterfall Caves!! Its such a hard life we live, Malachi and I will be hanging out at the main lodge this afternoon enjoying the sun, the people... and the brand new swimming pool and hot tub! Its tough... but someone has to do it! I promise to tell him what he would be doing (having done it a few times myself) play by play as we hang out! We will pick back up with our group in a few hours and head to what I consider the BEST part of the entire trip... YES THE BEST (in my opinion)... our trip into the village of Armenia! This village has become such a part of my heart, that I cant wait to see our students meet the kids of Armenia. I will be sure to report back and share some photos.
Hope everyone back home is enjoying their spring break. Everyone in Group I is well and having an amazing time. No worries!!! Just a quick shout out to Group II... hope you are not being too "frugal" on the island! Besley... you better be prepared I will be well practiced for a rematch!
Hillard
Monday, March 15, 2010
Travel Day
Group 3 has arrived at Banana Bank -- ahead of schedule! A little free time before lunch, then zip lining this afternoon.
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