Today you’ll fly from the US into Belize City International Airport - Our staff will meet your group at the airport for a private transfer to your accommodation.  After settling in, you’ll meet our team for an orientation on the area and our program. This will include safety information, a review of your itinerary, introductions, and hotel information such as WiFi and things you need to know, like tracking your ASHA observation hour goals, tracking tools, and expectations for the weeks ahead.

Enjoy a welcome dinner consisting of traditional Belizean food.

The day begins with a visit to a local resource center for childhood learning, where students observe classroom communication and interact with teachers and children, providing insight into Belize’s educational and linguistic environment.  

In the afternoon, the group visits St Hermane's Blue Hole, a natural freshwater cenote nestled in the forest. Students relax and swim in the refreshing turquoise waters, take in the lush surroundings, and enjoy the beauty of Belize.

Today, you will spend the day preparing for the clinical portion of the program. A classroom session introduces foundational concepts in communication disorders and the ASHA observation framework. This is a chance to get to know more about your supervisors and start planning for Tykes Camp. In the evening, you will set out for a nocturnal safari at the Belize Zoo, experiencing the country’s native wildlife and big cats under the stars.

After breakfast, your group transfers west to either San Ignacio or Punta Gorda, where you will stay for the next ten nights. Upon arrival, students participate in a cultural immersion session led by a Garifuna or Mayan speaker. Later, you will meet to plan the structure of the upcoming Tykes Communication Camp, assign roles, and set therapeutic goals. 

Tykes Camp Preparations

Tykes Camp is a learning camp for children with special needs designed around skill based stations - speaking, listening, learning, sensory, STEM, and fine and gross motor skills. The philosophy of Tykes is simple: Provide evidence-based practice in a group setting for children with a variety of disorders and disabilities. Speech, language, and occupational therapy goals will be targeted in the broader context of play, academic skills, and activities of daily living. 

This philosophy is important for three reasons: 

- Group interventions are effective, fun, and create a social network; 

- Treatment intensity (i.e., frequency and dose) predicts the best outcomes; and 

- Academic readiness and strong behavior regulation leads to high-quality outcomes. 

Tykes Camp is the cornerstone of Therapy Abroad’s clinical immersion experience in Belize—a student-led learning camp for children with a range of special needs and communication challenges. Unlike traditional observation-based models, students in this program take the lead in planning and facilitating therapy-informed group sessions, working directly with the children to implement skill-building activities. All ASHA observation hours during this portion of the program are earned through hands-on interaction and guided practice, not passive observation.

In addition to the clinical and group-based experiences, students will participate in an introduction to Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). This training provides foundational knowledge of AAC principles and systems—ranging from low-tech communication boards and picture symbols to high-tech speech-generating devices. Students will explore how AAC can enhance participation and communication for children with complex communication needs, and learn how to incorporate AAC strategies into their therapy sessions and group activities throughout camp.

This day is fully dedicated to organizing, designing, and setting up for Tykes Camp. Students sort and evaluate clinical and educational supplies, create visuals and therapeutic materials (including AAC supports), and design themed activities for the camp’s skill-based stations. Each team finalizes its clinical goals and adapts materials to meet the developmental levels and diverse needs of the children they’ll be working with. By day’s end, the entire camp infrastructure—complete with communication supports and activity stations—is in place and ready to launch.

Tykes Camp officially begins, with students taking the lead in running stations and working directly with children. Each station focuses on communication, sensory exploration, STEM-based problem solving, and motor skill development. Under the guidance of licensed speech-language pathologists (SLPs), students implement interventions in small groups, learning to adapt their strategies in real time to meet the diverse needs of the children they serve.

Throughout the day, students also integrate Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) tools and strategies into their activities. This includes using low-tech options such as picture symbols, communication boards, and visual supports, where appropriate. By incorporating AAC, students learn how to enhance engagement, facilitate communication, and support meaningful participation for children with complex communication needs.

In the afternoon, you’ll travel to the Cahal Pech Archaeological Site for a private guided tour exploring the rich history and culture of the Maya civilization. Once a palatial hilltop home for an elite Maya family, Cahal Pech’s major construction dates to the Classic period, with evidence of continuous habitation as far back as 1200 BCE during the Early Middle Formative period—making it one of the oldest known Maya sites in Western Belize.

Camp continues with students adjusting their strategies and building rapport with campers. In the afternoon, you will debrief with your supervisors, write up your notes, and enjoy a free afternoon by the pool or exploring San Ignacio.

After several days of intense clinical work and camp leadership, students take a well-earned break for a full-day outdoor adventure. The morning kicks off with a thrilling zipline experience through the lush Belizean jungle canopy, offering adrenaline, panoramic views, and unforgettable group fun. After lunch, the group heads to a nearby beach to relax for the afternoon.

Students return to camp with renewed focus, guiding group interventions with increased confidence and clinical insight.

On the final day of Tykes Camp, students facilitate closing activities and reflect on the week’s clinical progress. That evening, they participate in a traditional chocolate-making workshop, engaging in hands-on cultural learning. 

The morning is dedicated to participating in a community health outreach event. In the afternoon, students may choose optional observations or enjoy rest and reflection. 

With Tykes Camp and clinical observation complete, students spend Day synthesizing their hands-on experiences into formal case study presentations. Working individually or in small teams, they select a specific client, case type, or therapy session observed or led during the program and prepare a brief, structured presentation highlighting the child’s needs, therapeutic goals, interventions used, outcomes observed, and personal reflections.

Students receive guided support from Therapy Abroad’s licensed SLPs and program staff throughout the day, including one-on-one check-ins, mentorship sessions, and feedback on case selection, analysis, and presentation format.

In the afternoon, the group comes together for a Clinical Wrap-Up Seminar, a reflective and interactive session that allows students to share insights, discuss clinical challenges, and celebrate collective learning.

This day is also an opportunity for informal peer feedback, refining professional communication skills, as well as professional development and graduate school prep. It serves as a bridge between clinical immersion and program closure—reinforcing academic growth, confidence, and clinical decision-making in a supportive, collaborative environment.

Take the Belize Water Taxi to Caye Caulker or San Pedro today. Settle into your new accommodations. We will provide a brief orientation to the island and review safety information.

Spend the afternoon relaxing in the sun, swimming, shopping, or exploring the island. There is a beautiful sunset spot our staff will show you. 

Head out on a boat excursion today for guided snorkeling to see nurse sharks, rays, and many beautiful fish and coral! The Belize Barrier Reef is the second largest barrier reef in the world, and the largest in the western hemisphere. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and Belizeans work hard to manage this resource sustainably. Our snorkel provider will provide snorkel equipment and life jackets we require all students to wear during the snorkel trip.

Spend your final afternoon relaxing in the sun, swimming, shopping, or exploring the island. 

Take the water taxi back to Belize City to catch your flight home! Exchange information with new friends to stay connected! Please reflect back on all of the amazing things you did on your trip.

Share your experience with family, friends, peers and professors! Please be sure to tag us in your social media posts and leave us a review on GoOverseas.com.