Service Learning Takes CCBC Students to Belize

In July, 17 volunteers from the CCBC Belize Service Learning Project returned to Baltimore tired, sunburned and a little leaner after spending two weeks in Belize working with Mayan children in the village of Big Falls.

For the third consecutive summer, CCBC Catonsville sponsored a summer camp for disadvantaged children in Belize. Over 210 children participated in the two-week summer camp, which focused on learning about the physical environment through science experiments, stories, games and other activities.

The volunteers began preparations in January 2002 by participating in orientation sessions and an overnight retreat. An emphasis on team building and communication skills was important for this diverse group of volunteers. The volunteers planned the camp curriculum and gathered all the supplies necessary to conduct the two-week camp.

The student volunteers for the 2002 project included: Sarah Fields, Stephen Bell, Vanessa Velez, Carla-Anne Fazi, Amanda Levin, Heather Burkholder, Lateefah Williams, April Wilson, Tony Laney and Heather Keats. CCBC Catonsville faculty Kathleen Gandy (Accounting), a third year participant, was joined by Tara Ebersole (Biology) to facilitate the project.