Santa Elena Summer Camp

Caught red handed
see all photos »

Here is a summary of the Summer Camp we held in Santa Elena this year...

"The Santa Elena, Belize classroom was crowded with children painting, playing and generally enjoying themselves and they didn’t even have to be in school. ProBelize is running a summer camp for about 125 children between the ages of 8 and 12. The camp offers a fun, constructive way to keep the children busy and foster some new talents.

The children often stay at home or wander the streets. The camp provides an alternative that keeps the children safe, healthy and most importantly—entertained.

A volunteer helping with artwork
see all photos »

When the local schools close their doors for a two-month recess each summer, the children welcome the break, but with a lack of summer programs, boredom quickly sets in. The children often stay at home or wander the streets. The camp provides an alternative that keeps the children safe, healthy and most importantly—entertained.

The camp provides a number of different programs that the children often don’t get during the regular school year including art classes. On one day, a visitor to the camp was greeted by about 20 children calling, “Miss, miss look at me picture!” The children were using poster paints, colored pencils and felt tip pens to draw their families and homes. Some were using the paint to make prints of their hands, although most of the paint ended up on their clothes and faces. The room was a clutter of children, color and noise. At first, some of the older kids had claimed the camp was for babies, but once the art supplies came out everyone was engrossed. Some children were even discovering hidden artistic talents brought out by the time, support and resources of the ProBelize volunteers.

The class proudly show off their pictures
see all photos »

The five volunteers working on the project will be at the school weekdays from 9 in the morning to 3 in the afternoon. The morning is spent on sports and games, the children go home for lunch and the afternoons are devoted to arts and education. But the curriculum is flexible and will be tailored to the strengths and creativity of the campers. "