Day one: Feb. 24
Arrive in Belize and are transported to Las Cuevas (120 miles away).
At Las Cuevas, we are introduced to the staff, go through an orientation seminar, and learn about safety rules (must sign in and out, always carry a radio, never enter the forest alone, etc.)

Day two: Feb. 25
More introductory remarks about safety and danger. Most dangerous animal in forest are pigs (not jaguars), followed by poisonous snakes. If hurt, the British military will remove injured people to the hospital by helicopter.

After the talk we walk to a bird observation tower to view the surrounding area. During the walk we are shown various plants and animals. Visit a Mayan cave (a small one, with pottery shards and Mayan walls.)

After dinner we capture 18 aquatic terrapins for population studies (immediately released after taking measurements).

Day three: Feb. 26
12-mile hike to Monkey Tail River to study flood plain forest, analyze spoil, observe plants and animals.

Upon returning, we are taught about tropical diseases that we might encounter (catch).

Animals of note: a large coral snake and a large tarantula.

Day four: Feb. 27

Visit a Mayan city (5,000 structures) called Caracol (which means conch shell). Currently being excavated. Our guide is head archeologist Sherry Gibbs from Ontario, Canada.

In the evening we study how scientists now conduct research using a team method, and cooperation between colleagues, rather than relying on independent efforts.

Students begin planning research. Choose alternatives in case first choices don't work.

We see an ocelot come into camp to eat leftover dinner scraps.

Day five: Feb. 28
Walked a 135-acre forestry pot that possessed both a virgin rain forest unharmed by hurricanes or past logging, and a section of secondary growth recovering from logging and hurricane damage.

Saw two jumping vipers. Conducted a forest survey using a scientific measuring method called base pairs that estimated tree numbers. Hundreds of ticks climbing over pant legs and shirts. Tick problem resolved.

Research started in the afternoon.

Day six and seven: March 1-2

Research continues.

Day eight: March 3
Left for home.

Go back to Spring Break 2003.