As summer break puts formal academic classes on hold across Belize City, the Belize City Council (CitCo) has launched a full suite of no-cost summer enrichment opportunities designed to keep local children engaged, safe, and growing — while easing financial strain on working families. Running through the vacation period, the initiative blends athletic training, academic refreshers, and wellness activities tailored to match the diverse interests of the city’s young population, addressing gaps in accessible out-of-school programming for kids from all backgrounds.
At the popular Bird’s Isle recreational courts, more than 40 young aspiring basketball players gather every weekday afternoon to build foundational skills in the sport. The peewee basketball camp, led by experienced coach Roscoe Rhys with support from CitCo interoffice champions Auburn Rivero and Kevin Hamilton, focuses not just on athletic technique but also on teamwork, discipline, and positive social connection outside of the classroom. For years, the camp’s most anticipated event has been its final game day, where young participants get the chance to showcase their newly honed skills in an official match. Following the game, city leadership distributes critical back-to-school supplies, including branded backpacks, core academic materials, and this year, new footwear for attendees. Belize City Mayor Bernard Wagner noted that the program fills a key need for structured positive activity during the summer break, urging local residents to continue supporting the youth-focused initiative. “It is an opportunity for the city to engage with our youths, with our children — have them be in a positive environment during the course of the summer,” Wagner explained, adding that he hopes to attend this year’s game day as he recovers from a recent recreational sports competition victory.
For young learners looking to shore up their academic skills ahead of the upcoming school year, CitCo’s City Hub offers free targeted tutoring in English and mathematics. The program builds on the council’s ongoing student support initiative, launched in 2023, which has provided free homework help, one-on-one mentoring, and after-school tutoring to local students through a network of community hubs. Program manager Michael Fritz explained that the summer academic classes were developed to address a documented gap in foundational literacy and numeracy skills among local youth, turning unstructured vacation time into an opportunity for targeted growth. “We are taking it a bit further, and we did realize that there is a gap in terms of literacy, so why not utilize the summer amidst all of the fun, amidst all of the learning, to go back to the basics of math and English?” Fritz said. On a recent program day, more than 20 students actively participated in a reading comprehension lesson led by veteran instructor Dennis Thompson, focusing on the parable of the Prodigal Son.
Beyond athletics and academics, the council has added wellness programming to suit children seeking a lower-intensity outlet: free weekly yoga sessions held in local parks on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, led by certified instructor Eda Arzu. All programming offerings were curated with input from CitCo’s Child Advisory Body, a youth-led group that recommends activities aligned with the actual interests of local children, rather than top-down assumptions about what young people want. This user-centered approach ensures that every child, regardless of their hobby or skill level, can find a structured, positive activity to fill their summer break.
For many Belize City families, the free programming fills a significant financial gap. Similar private summer programs typically cost parents upwards of $200 USD per child per week, putting structured enrichment out of reach for many low and middle-income households. By offering all activities and supplies completely free of charge, CitCo’s initiative not only gives kids a productive alternative to unstructured time at home but also provides critical financial relief to households that would otherwise struggle to cover summer childcare and activity costs.