Every summer on Ambergris Caye, a powerful and life-changing program quietly shapes the future of our youth while nurturing a deep appreciation for Belize’s greatest natural treasure, our marine environment. That program is Kids in Action, and it’s back for 2025!
Organized annually by the Ambergris Caye Fishing Guide Association, the San Pedro Tour Operators Association, and the San Pedro Tourist Guide Association, Kids in Action brings together 75 young students, ages 12–15, from different elementary schools on the island. Over the course of three weeks during the summer vacation, these students are immersed in hands-on learning experiences in scuba diving, fly fishing, snorkeling, and marine ecology. This year’s program is set to be just as impactful, and your support can make all the difference.
What the Program Offers
Scuba Diving Training (40 kids):
Selected students will be trained under the PADI Junior Open Water certification with the help of San Pedro’s top dive instructors. They’ll learn diving skills, safety protocols, and the marine science that supports reef conservation.
Fly Fishing (15 kids):
Led by island legend Omar Arceo, kids will explore the mangroves and flats of Belize, learning to tie their own flies, cast fly rods, and appreciate the importance of species like bonefish, tarpon, and permit.
Snorkeling Adventures (20 kids):
For students unable to dive due to age or medical reasons, snorkeling opens the door to understanding our reef ecosystems. Guided tours to Hol Chan, Mexico Rocks, Tres Cocos, and more make marine learning fun and accessible.
Ecology & Conservation:
All participants are introduced to the importance of our Belize Barrier Reef, the threats it faces, and the role they can play in protecting it. The program ends with a reef cleanup campaign, giving kids the chance to give back to the sea.
Kids in Action, Why it Matters
Many graduates of the Kids in Action program go on to become dive masters, marine biologists, and leaders in Belize’s tourism and conservation industries. It’s more than a summer program, it’s a launchpad for careers and environmental stewardship.
As organizers put it:
“The sky is the limit, and we have placed the cornerstone for their careers.”
How You Can Help
This life-changing opportunity is made possible only through the generous support of sponsors. The total cost of the program (including diving, instruction, equipment, PADI materials, gear, snacks, shirts, hats, and bags) adds up to BZ$62,000.
Cost breakdown:
40 scuba divers @ BZ$1,000 = BZ$40,000
20 snorkelers @ BZ$500 = BZ$10,000
15 fly fishers @ BZ$800 = BZ$12,000
Whether you’re a tour operator, local business, or caring community member, your donation helps cover the cost of training and equipment for these future ocean ambassadors. To donate or get involved, contact Chairperson Phillip “Billy” Leslie at 610-3507.
Join the Movement
This year’s program is already full, but if your child is between 12 and 15 years old and has an interest in the sea, consider enrolling them in next year’s Kids in Action program. The program fosters friendships across schools, builds confidence in the water, and opens up a whole new world of opportunity.
Let’s keep inspiring the next generation.
Let’s keep protecting our reef.
Let’s keep the Kids in Action.
