Getting Prepared
Most of what you will need for this course is what you would need for any field effort. This includes sturdy clothes, personal toilet articles, pencil and paper and a way to carry these things around. It is strongly advised that you pack lightly, taking only what you really need.
A small day pack or similar bag is recommended for daily field use. It is recommended that you use a duffel bag or backpack rather than a hard suite case. You should be able to easily get clothing, supplies, tent and other gear in a regular size duffel bag. Pack all of your gear and carry it for a hundred yards or so. This exercise will help you decide what is really important to bring and what is not.
Passports and Documents
Passports are required to enter Belize. If you do not already have a passport, you will need to acquire one long before you depart. Forms can be picked up at major post offices. These forms must be completed and mailed to the address given along with two passport photographs. Passport photographs can be taken at many photo shops around town and cost about $6 - 8.00. Payment must also be included with your form. Passports are $65.00 and are valid for ten years.
Tent and Camp Gear
A small, two or four person tent that is free standing (using tension poles) and equipped with a good rain sheet is recommended. You may want your own tent or wish to share tent space with a friend. Sharing a tent reduces the initial cost of equipment, eliminates some of the bulk of your luggage and keeps the camp site from being too crowded.
If you purchase a new tent, look for one that is well ventilated and equipped with "no-see 'um" mesh (mesh small enough to exclude sand flies). Be sure to set your tent up and treat the seams with a seam sealer that is approved for the fabric of your tent. Once the sealer is dry, spray the tent and rain sheet with water and allow it to dry in the sun. This seals up the pores of the fabric.
You will also need a ground sheet for your tent. This may be a commercially made sheet that fits your tent size or a piece of 4 to 6 mil sheet plastic cut larger than the bottom of your tent. The tent is set up on the ground sheet to prevent moisture from soaking through the tent floor from the ground. The edges of the ground sheet are carefully tucked under the edges of the tent so that rainwater running off the tent wall will not be collected on the plastic and carried beneath your tent.
Clothing
You will only need casual clothing. You only need a few changes of clothes as clothes can be hand washed and air dried at Monkey Bay and other camp sites.
- Shirts
- Lightweight cotton or T shirts and a couple of loose, long-sleeve shirts for protection from sun, insects and chilly nights are recommended.
- Trousers
- Lightweight loose cotton or mixed cotton/polyester hiking pants (2 or 3 pair) and shorts (1 or 2 pair) are good. Light cotton or fabric blend will dry much faster than denim - and your clothes will get wet. Long pants will be necessary for field work and hiking in high bush as protection against thorns and mosquitoes.
- Headgear
- A light, wide brim hat is a good idea for sun protection.
- Rain Gear
- Lightweight but durable plastic/vinyl raincoat, poncho or windbreaker is a good idea.
- Socks
- Cotton socks are important for use during long hikes to prevent blisters. A week's supply will be enough; you are encouraged to keep up with laundry.
- Shoes
- Tennis shoes or velcro strap river sandals are good for working in river sites. A back-up pair of tennis shoes may be useful. Sandals or thongs are handy around the camp site and in showers.
- Sweater
- Light jacket or sweatshirt; it may get chilly at night in the mountains or along windy shores.
- Swimsuit
- An extra swimsuit may be useful.
- Underwear
- A week's worth is recommended.
- Bed Sheets
- Bring two for sleeping as some nights get cold.
- Pillow
- A blow-up pillow works nicely.
- Sleeping Pad
- Closed cell pads are inexpensive, do not absorb moisture, provide thermal insulation from the ground and makes sleeping more comfortable.
Accessories
As a basic rule, if you cannot get along without it, bring a spare. This applies for contact lenses and glasses, sunglasses, flashlight and any personal medications.
- Personal First Aid Kit
- Use your judgment based on knowledge of your personal needs. Some supplies can be picked up in Belmopan. A triple antibiotic ointment is strongly suggested. Dabbing an antibiotic on small cuts and abrasions can prevent bigger problems. Other items should include those materials you normally use. These may be band aids, aspirin, antacid, cortisone or Benedryl, aloe, ear drops, personal medications, anti-fungal powder, nasal spray, antihistamines, tea tree oil, and feminine hygiene items.
- Toilet Kit
- Include those items you normally use, such as razor, soap (preferably one that is environmentally friendly), shampoo, toothbrush, dental floss, insect repellent (2 or 3 bottles) sun screen (SPF15+), two old towels (thin ones dry easily) and other items you may need.
- Snorkeling Equipment
- If you plan to do a lot of snorkeling, you may want to bring your own gear. Fins are bulky and not very useful in many river sites. All snorkeling gear can be rented for nominal fees from dive shops on Caye Caulker. Do not bring dive gloves! Gloves encourage people to handle coral and other marine organisms. Handling coral is forbidden as it kills the polyps and opens the colony up to possible infections.
- Flashlight(s)
- Two lights with spare batteries and bulbs are recommended. A head light is very handy during cave float trips, reading and plundering through your gear at night.
- Pocket Knife
- A camp-style knife with assorted tools is very useful. Do not bring large, long blade "hunting" knives. Not only are they potentially dangerous and unnecesary, but you could end up spending a lot of time chatting with the authorities at the airport.
- Sun glasses
- Bring these if you need them. Polarized lenses are best.
- Repair Kit
- It is a good idea to have a needle and thread, a few spare buttons, string and a bit of rip-stop tape to repair tears in your tent should that happen.
- Waterproof Stuff Bag or a few Zip-loc freezer bags
- Several sizes are a good idea for protecting camera , film, books and other small items. A larger plastic bag is also useful for last minute packing of wet shoes and clothes for the trip home.
- Small day pack
- This can be a carry-on piece of luggage and used during field work.
- Small plastic canteen or water bottle
- We will usually be drinking filtered rain water collected in large water vats. Stores in Belmopan do carry bottled water but do not rely on that source. Water in Belmopan and other large towns is treated, but other water sources are questionable. It is not recommended that you drink river water, although this is the principal water source for many rural people.
- Paper and Pencils
- This is an academic course. Come prepared to take notes, keep a journal, record data, sketch, write letters and take exams. Small stitch bound or stapled notebooks are handy as journals and field notebooks.
- Laundry detergent
- Get an environmentally friendly detergent. You will not need a whole box. You may just want to put a few cups in a secure container.
- Insect repellent
- As already mentioned, insect repellant is an important item. Deet products tend to work the best, but is skin absorbent. Deet can be applied to clothes rather than skin and, when used in conjunction with a long sleeve shirt and long pants, often does the job. Citronella and Skin-So-Soft based repellents are effective against some insects.
Optional Equipment and Supplies
- Camera and film
- There will be plenty of photo opportunities.
- Binoculars
- We will see a lot of bird life and perhaps several mammal sightings.
- Leisure reading material
- Make it light!
- Field Guides
- Many of the bird books for the US are very useful in Belize as we share many migrants. See "References " for other suggestions.
The Pre-Trip Camp-Out and Course Orientation
Ideally, a week-end camping trip with the instructor and others going on the trip is a great way to field test your equipment and get to know your travel mates. This would be particularly useful if you have never camped before. There are plenty of local, state and national parks that provide for "primitive" camping and cooking. If the instructor is along on the trip, this camp-out would be an excellent time for a trip orientation and a chance to discuss questions and concerns.
For a good preview of the types of landscapes we will be visiting, watch Richard Foster's acclaimed film, Path of the Rain God. The documentary of the natural wonders of Belize was filmed along some of the same areas where we will be working. Mr. Foster originally filmed a four part series that National Geographic later purchased and formatted to one hour. The film highlights the importance of the hydrological cycle and includes cultural components of the Belizean people.
Money
The Belizean dollar is pegged to the US dollar at the standard rate of $2 BZ to $1 US. US dollars are widely accepted in Belize, but bring small denominations. Travelers checks are accepted in only a few places and there is a charge for cashing them. Major credit cards are accepted in some large towns, but generally are worthless in rural areas.
You will want to bring some money to buy snacks and drinks while traveling. Souvenirs may be found at tourist destinations in Belize, and we will take some time in places where you can shop. Please note that there is a departure tax of about $15US that is paid at the ticket counter in the airport before you can leave the country. Please stuff this money aside for that purpose.
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