Program Overview
8th grade students from Savannah Country Day School are invited to travel to Belize with Travel For Teens!
The Belize Barrier Reef is the second-largest reef system in the world, and home to a wide variety of plants and animals, making it one of the best spots in the world for scuba diving! On this service program, we will partner with a leading NGO/Nonprofit marine conservation organization on a private island. Help protect the Belize Barrier Reef and if you aren’t already scuba certified, earn your scuba diving certification at the same time! We will also participate in research projects with professional marine biologists to learn about threats to the reef and ways to protect it before diving (literally!) into hands-on volunteer projects to help with the conservation mission.
Throughout your time on this tiny island, you will have a huge impact! Help remove invasive lionfish, assist with marine health checks, and play a part in coral reef restoration. Monitor whale sharks and participate in pollution cleanups. There is no end to the ways you can help.
While giving back to the local community and underwater world enjoy the peacefulness of relaxing on your very own private island away from it all! Grab a kayak or paddleboard and enjoy the turquoise water or simply relax on a hammock and enjoy the fresh island breeze. This program is truly the opportunity to unplug while volunteering for a meaningful cause.
This program is perfect for teens interested in marine conservation and exploring the spectacular world of scuba diving while meeting like-minded peers.
During this program, you will…
- Earn your PADI Scuba Certification on a private island
- Learn to safely help eradicate invasive lionfish
- Survey coral reefs and complete marine wildlife surveys
- Enjoy some of the best scuba diving in the world
- Spot a variety of marine life, including colorful reef fish, whale sharks, manta rays, and more!
- Go on a night dive to discover how the ocean transforms when the sun goes down
- Monitor whale sharks with marine biologists
- Kayak and paddleboard in turquoise waters
Trip Itinerary
DAY 1: DEPART FROM THE USA
After flying into Belize City (flight details TBD), you’ll be welcomed by your TFT guides at the airport. From there, our journey begins as we board our flight to the tiny region of Placencia where our island home is waiting just off the coast.
After checking into our guest accommodation, we’ll have our first-day meeting, discussing trip rules and expectations. The day concludes with our first delicious Belizean dinner!
DAY 2-5: OUR OWN PRIVATE ISLAND
We’ll head to the port and cruise over to our very own private island home, where we will get our PADI Certification training and partake in hands-on activities like Fillet and Dissection training.
The Belize Barrier Reef is the second-largest reef system in the world, and home to a wide variety of plants and animals, making it one of the best spots in the world for scuba diving! We will partner with a leading NGO/Nonprofit marine conservation organization on a private island. We will also participate in research projects with professional marine biologists to learn about threats to the reef and ways to protect it before diving (literally!) into hands-on volunteer projects to help with the conservation mission.
As soon as we arrive, we’ll jump right into earning our PADI Certification! Our days on the island will be filled with dives, marine conservation, Lionfish hunting, insightful presentations, and of course time to relax and explore our island home!
Our last night on the island comes to a close with a BBQ dinner on the beach to celebrate our time on the island and our PADI certifications!
DAY 6: PLACENCIA
In the morning, we’ll have the opportunity for one last fun dive before catching our ferry to Placencia. Upon arriving, we’ll check into our hotel and enjoy lunch and some free time in town. We will wrap up our fabulous week in Belize with a final fancy dinner, reminiscing on all of the memories we have made!
DAY 7: RETURN HOME
After experiencing some of the best diving in the world, volunteering with an important marine conservation project, and bonding with your fellow travelers it’s time to say goodbye to paradise.
Our adventure in Belize comes to an end as we depart from Placencia for Belize City and then continue onward back to the USA.
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Informational Webinar Details
Informational Webinar Details
Your lead teacher & a TFT representative will give a short presentation and answer your questions.
When: January 4th, 2024
Time: 7 PM EST
Click here to register for the webinar
Travel with us and discover why we are consistently winning awards for Top Youth Travel Organization.
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Trip Specific FAQs
Who is Travel For Teens?
Travel For Teens started in 2003 as a small, family-run business providing teens with an authentic experience in Paris.
Today, the TFT family has flourished and operates over 100 different programs in over 40 countries! Our values and mission remain the same no matter our growth – inspiring youth to ignite a passion for travel and discovering new cultures beyond the traditional tourist path.
How much is tuition & what does tuition include?
Tuition for the trip is $4,295 which INCLUDES All breakfasts, lunches, and dinners, Roundtrip Airfare, accommodations, admissions, departure taxes, registration charges, ground transportation and PADI Open Water Certification.
Tuition does NOT INCLUDE Required scuba diving equipment, online PADI course, meals not referenced in the itinerary, PPE costs, COVID testing during the trip or for the return to the USA (as applicable), mandatory trip insurance, medical insurance, laundry, internet, phone calls home, deviations from the itinerary, drinks at meals, admissions and activities not included on the itinerary, additional transportation costs due to maintaining the safety of the group, sickness, injury, transportation delays related to circumstances beyond our control (acts of nature) or transportation strikes (trains, metro, or planes), unplanned and unexpected costs associated with events beyond the control of TFT.
Tuition for the trip is $4,295 which INCLUDES All breakfasts, lunches, and dinners, Roundtrip Airfare, accommodations, admissions, departure taxes, registration charges, ground transportation and PADI Open Water Certification.
Tuition does NOT INCLUDE Required scuba diving equipment, online PADI course, meals not referenced in the itinerary, PPE costs, COVID testing during the trip or for the return to the USA (as applicable), mandatory trip insurance, medical insurance, laundry, internet, phone calls home, deviations from the itinerary, drinks at meals, admissions and activities not included on the itinerary, additional transportation costs due to maintaining the safety of the group, sickness, injury, transportation delays related to circumstances beyond our control (acts of nature) or transportation strikes (trains, metro, or planes), unplanned and unexpected costs associated with events beyond the control of TFT.
If I cannot afford the payment schedule listed above, does Travel For Teens provide flexible payment plans?
Yes, Travel For Teens is willing to customize a payment plan for any participant who needs a little flexibility in the payment schedule. Please email help@travelforteens.com for details on payment plans.
What is the payment timeline?
Deadline to register: Dec 8, 2023
At time of registration: $750 trip deposit due
Balance in two installments: January 15, 2024 and February 1, 2024
Deadline to register: Dec 8, 2023
At time of registration: $750 trip deposit due
Balance in two installments: January 15, 2024 and February 1, 2024
Safety, Sickness & Communication
SAFETY AND SICKNESS
The safety of our participants is our #1 concern, which is why we have only experienced trip leaders running the show. We offer 24/7 communication throughout our programs and have detailed risk management and safety policies in place. Please review our policies here.
For information regarding our specific policies with Covid-19 please review our Covid-19 protocols page here.
What are the safety qualifications for our staff?
Our staff members undergo a rigorous hiring process. They receive the same background check as school educators, an extensive training process to go over all safety precautions and protocols, and are required to be certified in CPR and First Aid. We exclusively hire responsible, multi-talented individuals who are safety-minded and are as passionate about teen travel as we are.
What is the food like?
In a word – delicious! All of your meals will be cooked by the island’s chefs and highlight Belizian culture using fresh ingredients and local flavors.
Of course, we are always willing and able to accommodate vegetarians, vegans, gluten allergies, and other dietary restrictions.
In a word – delicious! All of your meals will be cooked by the island’s chefs and highlight Belizian culture using fresh ingredients and local flavors.
Of course, we are always willing and able to accommodate vegetarians, vegans, gluten allergies, and other dietary restrictions.
Do I need to speak the language?
No, our skilled staff members will help you get around and even teach you a few fun phrases!
Are participants allowed to have their cell phones on the program?
We do allow participants to bring their phones, but we ask that they use it solely as a camera when we are out and about during the day. We want everyone to focus on living in the moment and fully experience each new destination we are visiting without being absorbed in their phones. We ask that participants look at their journey with us as a way to disconnect. When we have downtime at our hotels in the evenings it is okay for participants to use their devices to connect with friends and family back home.