Join us as we support education in primary schools and explore the beauty of Belize.

This unique program is an authentic international travel and service experience in Belize, Central America for the Boise State Alumni community.

Nestled between Mexico and Guatemala, this small and culturally-rich nation is the only English-speaking country in Central America.  Our mission is to provide an impactful, mutually beneficial educational experience supporting Belizean students and educators in English language development.  The program not only focuses on service in a rural Belize primary school, but also provides the convenience of guided local excursions, cultural immersion, and the opportunity to explore the beautiful Belize Barrier Reef in the Caribbean Sea.  

This program is a phenomenal experience for the solo traveler, couples, and families; and is a wonderful trip for any age.

HIGHLIGHTS

• BE OF SERVICE + PRACTICE GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP:  Volunteer with a reputable service organization in a rural school supporting English-language skills and empower students to reach their academic goals.  Complete a physical project at the school requested by school administration.
• EXPLORE HISTORICAL MAYA SITES:  With local experts as your guides, climb the Xunantunich ancient ruins to soak in a jungle-rich panoramic view of Belize and Guatemala.  Explore first-hand a world-renowned Maya cave, the Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) Cave. 
• IMMERSE YOURSELF IN CULTURE:  Enjoy an intimate hands-on cooking class with local kitchen staff making local Belizean dishes for dinner (take a recipe home!), enjoy a dynamic, Garifuna guest speaker introducing the history and culture of Belize, and listen to the entrepreneurial story of Marie Sharp while tasting a variety of her famous pepper sauces.
• SAIL AND SNORKEL THE CRYSTAL CLEAR CARIBBEAN WATERS:  Join the best tour on the small island of Caye Caulker as we hop on the catamaran, put on our snorkel gear, and explore the beautiful sea life as we sail the crystal clear Caribbean Sea.

PROGRAM DETAILS

• Dates:  May 26 - June 3, 2018 
• Cost:
  • Boise State Alumni Member Rate:  $2,900 (10% discount); airfare included
  • Boise State Alumni Non-member Rate:  $3,225; airfare included
    • *Not a member of the Boise State Alumni Association?  Join here!
• Payments:  
  • Deposit due at registration; full payments due by April 1, 2018
  • $100 of each traveler’s trip payment is directly donated to support the rural Belize partner school
  • Payment plans available
• Airfare:  
  • Roundtrip Belize flights booked for all travelers from home destination
  • Airfare included in trip cost

INCLUDED FEATURES (Your all-inclusive adventure Includes):

• Round-trip international airfare from your home destination to Belize City International Airport
• All overnight accommodations and meals (3 meals per day)
  • Mainland accommodations:  Toucan Ridge Ecology & Education Society
  • Caye accommodations:  Tropical Paradise Hotel
• All trip transportation transfers:  land and water
• Guided service experience:  preparation, guidance, materials, supplies, and facilitation in local village school and classroom
• Guided cultural excursions:  Historic Mayan Ruins + Caves, local market, chocolate making demonstration, Green Iguana Conservation Project, cooking class, The Belize Zoo, Marie Sharp’s Hot Sauce, sailing and snorkeling the Belize Barrier Reef, etc.
• All admissions fees and gear for excursions
• Experienced, licensed local guides
• Traveler’s Insurance
• Detailed travel and destination information to assist in your planning

ITINERARY (details subject to minor change):

Day 1 // ARRIVAL + INTRODUCTION 
Arrive at the Belize City International airport and transfer to our home base lodge.  We will get settled into our accommodations, relax, and have time to meet the other participants prior to our welcome dinner.  Our dynamic Belizean guest speaker will introduce us to the history and culture of Belize to bring the day to a close. 

Day 2 // CULTURE OVERLOAD
Following breakfast, we make our way to a hands-on chocolate making demonstration in the heart of San Ignacio town.  Learn more about the cocoa bean and its importance in the Mayan history and culture.  Visit the Green Iguana Conservation Project (GICP).  The local Saturday San Ignacio Market, a wonderful opportunity to share how locals purchase groceries, sell art, buy various home needs, etc., is a short walk from the GICP.  Lunch will be enjoyed at local restaurant in a nearby village and we head to the Xunantunich Maya Ruins (“Stone Lady”).  A beautiful climb to the top of the ruins is a 360-degree panoramic view of Belize and Guatemala.  We return to our home base for a delicious dinner.

Day 3 // ACTUN TUNICHIL MUKNAL (ATM) CAVE
We set out for the day’s adventure to the world-class Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave after breakfast.  The ATM excursion is a full day excursion and lunch is served.  After our beautiful drive home along the Hummingbird Highway, we return to our home base for dinner.  Kelli will guide the program through a service preparation and expectation discussion to launch us into a week of service. 

Day 4, 5, & 6 // SERVICE IN PRIMARY SCHOOL + LOCAL ADVENTURES
Breakfast will be served and we make our way to the local village primary school for full service days in the classroom.  After our service at the school, we return to home base to prepare for our afternoons of adventure:  The Belize Zoo, Marie Sharp’s Hot Sauce Factory, and a local cooking class.  The Belize Zoo, coined the “Best Little Zoo in the World” and home to only native species, will consist of our up close and personal tour provided by licensed zoo guides upon arrival.  At the Marie Sharp’s Hot Sauce Factory, Marie Sharp and her team share her entrepreneurial success story and the uniqueness of her internationally recognized Belizean pepper sauces.  Participate alongside our local kitchen staff to learn how to make a local dish for dinner and take a recipe home.  Each evening will be closed with a guided service conversation preparing us for the next day of service, and a reflection on our time in country together.  

Day 7 // SERVICE + BACK TO SEA LEVEL
Breakfast will be served and we promptly depart for the local primary school.  After lunch, we depart for the water taxi in Belize City.  We take in the beautiful view of the crystal clear Caribbean Sea as we land on the island of Caye Caulker.  We settle into our island accommodations upon arrival, and dinner is served at a restaurant only walking distance from the hotel.

Day 8 // SNORKEL + SAIL
Breakfast will be served at the most delicious breakfast restaurant on the caye, Amor y Café.  We head next door to our snorkel shop to be fitted for our gear and hop on the catamaran.  This day brings a spectacular full day of sailing and snorkeling alongside sea turtles and other colorful sea life, and a tasty local lunch served on the boat.  We return to the island and dinner is served at a local restaurant walking distance from the hotel.

Day 9 // DEPART + GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP
Breakfast will be served and travelers will spend their final moments picking up last-minute souvenirs or taking in the beachside sunrise views on the beach.  We transfer back to the Belize City airport via the water taxi and prepare for departures. 
[Guests return to the states and/or remain in country for personal travel].

PROGRAM LEADERSHIP:

• Kelli Soll, Director of Global Service Partnerships & Boise State University Alumna

It only takes a $250 deposit to reserve your spot on this unique Belize trip!

Congratulations on your decision to join our international service trip in Belize, Central America!  You are now on your way (and continuing your impactful journey) to global citizenship.  

In order to complete your program registration, simply click on the big green registration button below.  We kindly ask each service participant to complete the brief form and submit the nonrefundable deposit of $250 to confirm your registration.  

The remainder of payment(s) is due by April 1, 2018.  Payment plans are available upon request.

If you have questions about what is and what is not included with your trip or our refund policy please click the expanding links below.