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Belize Trip 2011 An interdisciplinary experience with a focus on Marine Biology and History June 12-17, 2011 (dates are approximate until January) Mrs. O'Mara Ms. Fung Kee Fung Mr. Horesta Picture- Dr. Ken Mattes and students attending TREC |
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The Biology faculty will be offering Pingry students a trip to Belize to the TREC- Tropical Research
and Education Center on Ambergris Caye, San Pedro, Belize. The program and facility is run by Dr. Ken Mattes
and his family. The institute hosts schools, colleges, and researchers from all over the world year round.
Please be aware this trip is to a working marine biology lab and is NOT a camp or resort.
Please see the following document for more information.
Students will need a valid US passport to exit and renter the United States.
In addition to amazing field experiences students will be expected to complete an journal, including sketches, impressions,
field trip locations, descriptions, and a species list. We are going to encourage camera use and photography to document the experience.
We would encourage an underwater camera to help document the trip as well. Some primary literature regarding
marine biology as well as ancient mayan culture wil be read and discussed too.We hope this experience is an "application"
of many different types of academic courses our students have completed
at Pingry.
Our tentative itinerary is as follows:
We expect to be in the water for several hours a day both in the morning and afternoon.
Morning Afternoon Evening
Day 1 Departure
Newark to Houston Orientation to TREC
Houston to Belize- Goldson International
Connecting flight to San Pedro- Mayan Island Air.
Cab ride to TREC- Grouper Street, San Pedro Belize
Day 2 Snorkel Lagoon and Grass beds Mexico Rocks Lecture Lab
Day 3 Snorkel Tuffy Lecture/Lab Night Beach Seine
Day 4 Day trip to Mayan Ruins Altan Ha
Day 5 Snorkel Tres Coco Lecture Lab Night Snorkel
Day 6 Day trip to Snorkel Hol Chan, Picnic Lunch, Snorkel Coral Gardens Farewell Dinner
Day 7 Departure
Connecting flight to Belize City Mayan Island Air (#205), and departs San Pedro 9:00am- arrives Belize at 9:15am
Belize- Goldson International to Newark (CO 1650) departure 11:22 am arrives Houston 2:52 pm departs Houston (C0 1010)
Departs Houston 5:35 pm and arrives in Newark 10:25 pm.
The lectures will be given by college professors from around the country that are brought in to supplement the staff of TREC.
Total (air, land,meals, travel insurance, and taxes)- 2300.00 (tentative at this point 10/30)
I would highly suggest you bring spending money for souveniers and local shopping.
Deposits will be due in early January- 800.00
What is the weather like?
Ambergris Caye enjoys the sun and heat of the tropics, but is cooled by the trade winds off the Caribbean Sea.
Temperatures range from 75 - 95 degrees in the day, year round. The rainy season is May to February, with
most of that falling in late afternoon and evening. While southern Belize may get up to 140 inches of rain per year,
Ambergris Caye only receives about 40 inches per year. The water temperature is always around 82 degrees.
You will need sun protection clothing. I strongly recommend a long sleeve rash guard while snorkeling.
What should I pack?
Limit 1 50 lb. suitcase per person and 1 small carry-on (strictly enforced)
Dress is very casual- Bathing suits (several are suggested), shorts, t-shirts, a fleecy sweatshirt for cool evenings. Quick
drying rash guards are helpful for long days on the water but we will be in and out of the water constantly so bring
items that will dry quickly. Sunscreen is a must as well as lip protection. They suggest hat and sunglasses and towels. You will need snorkel gear
and fins.
Overall, keep “outfits” at home, pack lightly and pack to be at the beach and in the water. We will visit San Pedro town one night for dinner,
but again casual dress is appropriate. It would be appreciated if t-shirts with inappropriate saying, pictures, etc. are
left at home. Meals except during travel time are included but spending money in smaller denominations is recommended.
Belize accepts the US dollar in transactions but you may get change in Belize currency.
Travel Gear Recommendations:
Extra money, Medications, Sun block, insect repellant, sun glasses, hat, beach towels, rain coat, high energy snacks, snorkel gear,
Notebook & pen, Dramamine, Immodium, Toiletries, camera, film, batteries, small radio, playing cards, important phone number, walking shoes,
shoes to wear in water, bathing suits, long pants, long sleeve shirt, jacket, old long sleeved shirt and pants (for night snorkel and in case of sunburn)
calling card (Att or MCI), flashlight, binoculars, plastic bags. Many cell phones will make be able to reach the continental US so cell phones are encouraged.
Pack carry on in case of misplaced luggage
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
JUNE 2008 Trip
This trip was fantastic!
Belize Marine TREC official website
For TREC please click here.
For more information about Hol Chan Marine Reserve Click here.
Update June 1, 2008
We have purchased travel insurance for each member of the trip.
We will meet at the airport at 6:30 am for flight check in.
I will be standing on the sidewalk outside the doors of Terminal C.
Please look for Ms. Fung Kee Fung, Mr. Hata, or myself.
I will have my cell phone on for emergency late calls. Please see your email for my cell number.
Double check the packing list.
Update May 14, 2008
Please be sure that your parents have the contact information iin the letter below.
See link below.
Reminder Parent Meeting this Friday, May 16, 2008, 3:15 P.M.
This meeting is not mandatory but your parents are welcome
stop in and ask questions. I will hand out the contact information again.
Remember the suggested packing list
Snorkel gear is strongly recommended.
Also don't forget:
Sunscreen, Bugspray, Beach towel, 4 Duracell C batteries for night snorkel light,
High Energy snacks,underwater cameras (that stuff is expensive there).
All students bring a small land flashlight. Small mag lights are fine.
Update April 25 2008:
letter home Letter will be mailed May 1st
We are currently ticketing and waiting for several students to hand in their passports for correct names.
We are working with TravelLong of Summit, NJ ( A Pingry Alum) for our airline arrangements.
They have been a sincere help with the logistics of the trip and we are very grateful!
There will be a Parent Meeting in regards to the trip on Friday, May 16 at 3:15 pm in room 110.
Though most information regarding the trip is on the website we will review the itinerary and behavior
expectations, meet the chaperones, and of course, answer questions! Contact information will be given
out for the chaperones and TREC.
Update March 2008:
Travel documents have been handed out. Please click here if you have lost your copy.
Please return the completed packet prior to spring break.
In addition to the forms, you will a copy of your passport and medical insurance card.
There is another document here that describes the trip in greater detail,
including packing details, and emergency contact information. Please share with your parents.
This June the Biology faculty will be offering Pingry students a trip to Belize to the TREC- Tropical Research
and Education Center on Ambergris Caye, San Pedro, Belize. The program and facility is run by Dr. Ken Mattes
and his family. The institute hosts schools, colleges, and researchers from all over the world year round.
Please be aware this trip is to a working marine biology lab and is NOT a camp or resort.
My direct contact is Maureen Gannon, Director of TREC.
Students will need a valid US passport to exit and renter the United States.
Our tentative itinerary is as follows:
UPDATED FLIGHT INFORMATION as of MARCH 25, 2008
Morning Afternoon Evening
Day 1 (6/8) Departure Sunday, June 8
Newark to Houston (CO 1011) Lv.- 8:50 a.m. -arriving 11:51 Orientation
Houston to Belize- Goldson International (CO 1628) departing 1:28 pm arriving 3:01 pm,
then connecting flight to San Pedro- Mayan Island Air (#220) depart from Belize at 4:40pm
arrival 4:55 at San Pedro. Cab ride to TREC- Grouper Street, San Pedro Belize
Day 2 (6/7) Snorkel Lagoon and Grass beds Beach walk Lecture Lab
Day 3 (6/8) Snorkel Tuffy Lecture/Lab Night Beach Seine
Day 4 (6/9) Day trip to Shark/Sting Ray Alley, Picnic lunch, Snorkel Mangrove Alley & Blue Crack
Day 5 (6/10) Snorkel Tres Coco Lecture Lab Night Snorkel
Day 6 (6/11) Day trip to Snorkel Hol Chan, Picnic Lunch, Snorkel Coral Gardens Farewell Dinner
Day 7 (6/14)) Departure June 14
Connecting flight to Belize City Mayan Island Air (#205), and departs San Pedro 9:00am- arrives Belize at 9:15am
Belize- Goldson International to Newark (CO 1650) departure 11:22 am arrives Houston 2:52 pm departs Houston (C0 1010)
Departs Houston 5:35 pm and arrives in Newark 10:25 pm.
The lectures will be given by college professors from around the country that are brought in to supplement the staff of TREC.
As of this writing I am not sure of the professor. Additionally, there will be an overlap with another high school from the United States.
Total (air, land, and taxes)- 1900.00
I would suggest you bring spending money for souveniers and local shopping.
Checks are due (earlier is better!) Friday, January 25. Made out to Pingry with Belize trip in the memo.
What is the weather like?
Ambergris Caye enjoys the sun and heat of the tropics, but is cooled by the trade winds off the Caribbean Sea.
Temperatures range from 75 - 95 degrees in the day, year round. The rainy season is May to February, with
most of that falling in late afternoon and evening. While southern Belize may get up to 140 inches of rain per year,
Ambergris Caye only receives about 40 inches per year. The water temperature is always around 82 degrees.
What should I pack?
Limit 1 50 lb. suitcase per person and 1 small carry-on (strictly enforced)
Dress is casual- Bathing suits (several are suggested), short, t-shirts, a fleecy sweatshirt for cool evenings. Quick
drying rash guards are helpful for long days on the water but we will be in and out of the water constantly so bring
items that will dry quickly. Sunscreen is a must as well as lip protection. They suggest hat and sunglasses and towels.
Overall, keep “outfits” at home, pack lightly and pack to be at the beach and in the water. We will visit San Pedro town
but again casual dress is appropriate. It would be appreciated if t-shirts with inappropriate saying, pictures, etc. are
left at home. Meals except during travel time are included but spending money in smaller denominations is recommended.
Travel Gear Recommendations:
Extra money, Medications, Sun block, insect repellant, sun glasses, hat, beach towels, rain coat, high energy snacks, snorkel gear,
Notebook & pen, Dramamine, Immodium, Toiletries, camera, film, batteries, small radio, playing cards, important phone numbe, walking shoes,
shoes to wear in water, bathing suits, long pants, long sleeve shirt, jacket, old long sleeved shirt and pants (for night snorkel and incase of sunburn)
calling card (Att or MCI), flashlight, binoculars, plastic bags.
Pack carry on in case of misplaced luggage