Cayo Scoop! The Ecology of Cayo Culture

Charissa Barnes explains how she would love to be an Eco Kid.  Chaa Creek's Eco Kids Summer camp is just a few weeks away.

"However, I believe that through this program, I will gain a better understanding of the environment and steps that can be taken to improve it.  I will be able to contribute more innovative solutions at school for the care of the environment.  This camp will help to make me a better, more rounded person and it will give me hands on experience of what it takes to care for the environment.  The children of this generation have been out of tuned to the environment because of television and video games.  We have not been observant of our surroundings and the negative changes our actions have.  I believe that if we work together we will be able to achieve great things one small change at a time."

Gian Chuc says it well is this Eco Kid essay.

"I want to be an Eco-Kid because I want to learn more about land conservation, solid waste management, conservation and sustainable development – very important topics that are needed to save and preserve the natural resources of Belize.  I believe that the environmental themes for this year are important because it can not only save the natural resources of Belize but also our planet from the many dangers that it has been suffering for the past 200 years."

Some 'top reasons' to become an Eco Kid by Vivica Jakeway.  Only a few days left to submit an essay for a scholarship for Chaa Creek's Eco Kid Summer camp.

"I want to be an Eco Kid because I want to make a positive difference in my beautiful country Belize.  I strongly believe that it is young people like myself that will play an instrumental role in the future of Belize and the lessons that will be taught in this camp will lay down the foundation to equip me with the proper knowledge to make the changes.  The three main topics of this year’s camp that caught my attention are the Ancient Maya, Land Conservation and Traditional healing."

Alysha Magana wrote an Eco Kid essay for Chaa Creek's Eco Kids Summer Camp essay competition.

"On your website, I notice that you list several onsite activities but it is the Rainforest Medicine Trail that has caught my attention.  When I graduate from Primary School and continue on to high school and University I want to study to become a doctor so I believe learning the different species of medicinal plants will help me in my future career.  The environment is very important in our lives because if it falls apart, we will not be able to build it back up."

Another Eco Kid essay for the Chaa Creek summer kids camp scholarship, this time from Emily Sanchez, and she talks about the 3 R's.  She sums it up well.

"After having the opportunity to be an Eco Kid, I will be able to share with others the experience that I had at camp.  I will be able to share with others what I learned at camp, the activities that we did, and the adventures that we had. I will also influence them to become aware of their natural surroundings here in Belize and use what I have learned so that they can become an Eco-Kid.  Reduce, Reuse, And Recycle!"

Chaa Creek has read all the great essays, and chosen 24 winners for the scholarships.  The Eco Kids Summer Camp is just one month away.

"And now, 24 very lucky young people aged between eight and 13 years old will be taking part in an incredible opportunity to experience, up-close and personal, Belize’s beautiful natural environment while learning about how to help preserve this stunning national treasure and ensure its survival into the future.  The Eco-Kids will attend the week long, all-inclusive educational adventure during the week of July 21 – 29 as Chaa Creek’s guests, with everything, from comfortable cabins at the Macal River Camp, delicious, healthy meals, a range of carefully designed activities and events, arts and craft materials, professional naturalist guide instructors and camp counselors all provided for free."

Another great Eco Kid essay, this time from Kieva Mangar, who realizes that it will take teamwork to make the world a better place.

"As a kid I would want to help save our environment but I can’t do it alone.  It takes more than one person but it starts with me.  I will be eco friendly to help save the planet and so I could live in a greener and safer world.  Eco friendly is not doing anything to hurt yourself or the world you live in.  A family that goes green together stays together." 

Another Eco Kid essay, this one from Roben Harrison.

"I want to spread the news about going green and keeping the environment clean. When I see people wasting water I think about the people who don’t have water.  I want to try to conserve water.In my backyard I planted a mango tree and watermelon plants to see if they grow.  If they grow, then I will try planting other fruits and vegetables that we could eat at home.  It is better to have your own garden and have healthy things because it will be fresh and not something from a can with lots of things that are not good for us."

Nice title for this Eco Kid essay from Tommy Diskin.

"I dream of going to Eco-Kids camp because camping, fishing and horseback riding are some of my favourite things to do.  To wake up by the Macal River would be awesome.  I would love to see my favorite animal in all of Belize in its natural habitat: the Tapir, our National Animal also known as the Mountain Cow.  Canoeing down a river is a fun and exciting adventure.  I have done it before, and would like to do it again and again and again! It’s the best way to see Belize’s wildlife.  I also want to know how to do organic farming so I can grow tomatoes, corn and other crops and even learn how to control bugs with bugs!"

Chelsea Young explains why she wants to be an Eco Kid.  The time to submit an essay to become an Eco Kid is drawing near.

"I want to be an eco-kid to make a difference.  Other kids should want to be eco-kids too.  I don’t see why not!  If one out of every two people make a difference by cleaning up our streets and using their cars a lot less often, the planet would become a cleaner, prettier, healthier place.  Always remember, no matter how small you are, or capable you are, you CAN make a difference!"

Another great Eco Kid essay, this one submitted by 13 year old Jayronn Arziki Dashanu Emmanuel.  Well done, Jayronn.  Good luck!

"As an Eco Kid, I will also ask people to take a closer look at nature, not just look from the road side but venture into it.  I will encourage them to see it as a precious garden, giving them everything they need to live.  I will tell them to stop and smell nature’s perfume and enjoy its pleasing aroma.  I will ask them to use its resources wisely and to replenish it as they use.  Plant back the trees, restock the waters, build where it will do the least harm and use the land wisely for agricultural purposes.  As an Eco Kind I will continuously remind them the God gave us nature to use wisely not to abuse and waste it."

This is a great essay on becoming an Eco Kid.  There is still a week left to submit entries.  Chaa Creek's site has all the information on submitting.

"Being an eco-kid would give me the opportunity to learn more about nature and to be able to share that knowledge with my classmates, my brothers and sister and my other friends.  This year, I would like to be a Chaa Creek Eco-Kid to learn more about how I can make a difference in this beautiful country called Belize.  I wonder… what exactly would await me at Chaa Creek?  I’d sure like to find out!!  I hope to be there this summer!"