BCVI Summer Camp 2011 Photos available!

Visit our Facebook Page to view the photos taken at this year's Camp!

Thanks to Rowan for inspiring us all to make Summer Camp a reality,

and thanks to all our volunteers, supporters and donors who made this our most successful camp to date!

Rowan's Recap... "I never fear anything, I just respect it."

After he reached the Summit of Victoria Peak, Row answers a few questions about the experience...

What did you do to prepare for the climb?

“We trained. We walked long distances but the drawback is that the city doesn’t have hills... I would find out later that was a pretty big drawback.”

How long did it take?

“It took 2 and ½ days to the Peak and another 2 days to get back.”

What did you take with you?

“My backpack with a bladder of water. I wanted to take some other things like my DS but too bad! I’m glad I didn’t take them! My dad said he’d been on trips (up Victoria Peak) before where people were actually throwing out their socks to make their packs lighter!”

Was the experience how you expected?

“I thought it would be a little steep, but WOW! I have respect for that mountain. You know, I never fear anything, I just respect it.”

Are you pleased with how much money you’ve raised? What would you like to say to people who have sponsored and supported you?

“I’m really glad that I’m getting the support and everybody wants to donate and they don’t hesitate either. I really appreciate that!”

What first gave you the idea?

“The Summer Camp lost some major funding, so I thought what about the other kids? I have my parents’ support, but the others come from less and are not as fortunate as us.”

Has it given you a taste for adventures like this?

“Yeah! IF there are animals involved, why not?!”

Do you have anything else planned?

“My dad says maybe next year we can do a walk across Belize. It probably won’t be easy but at least the road is paved!”

In what ways has BCVI supported you over the years?

“I can’t even begin! They’ve provided all the equipment I need and not only that, but also mental support. Just because you’re blind, doesn’t mean you’ve invalid.”

This year's Summer Camp will be centered around Technology and will take place in Belize City from July 10th to July 22nd. We will be updating regularly then. So, come back then to visit the Ambassadors for Sight! 

Video of Row & Joe at Victoria Peak!

"I want people to know I didn't just do this for fun!
I did this as a fundraiser for the Belize Council for the Visually Impaired."
- Rowan Garel

Support Rowan and spread the word
as we are still seeking donations for Summer Camp

and to help support the children who are blind and visually impaired!

...On Rowan's Climb

On March 25^th at approximately 2:30pm, BCVI received a call from 12-year-old Rowan Garel and his father Joe who had just arrived at the summit of Victoria Peak. Overwhelmed, exhausted and delighted, Rowan and Joe had done the trek to the top in just over one day, which is the average time it takes to reach that point.

Thanks to one of our major
corporate sponsors - Belize Telemedia Ltd.
Rowan was able to phone home!

“At no point in time, not one single time, did he complain,” Joe said of his brave son. Rowan recalls wanting to give up, “I thought about it, but I didn’t want to be remembered at the only blind person to try and then turn around and not make it.” This driven 12-year-old is not only the youngest to ever summit Victoria Peak, but is also the only person with any type of disability to accomplish this feat.

Rowan, Joe and their guides were greeted by a group of about 60 people, all family members, friends, supporters of Rowan’s cause and BCVI’s staff. The Welcome Back Picnic also brought together a couple of BCVIs young Rehab patients, Courtenay and Juan, who were thrilled to greet Rowan.

“It was emotional, you know, even some of my friends from summer camp were there to greet me and I really wasn’t expecting that,” Rowan said of the guests.

It's a daring adventure for anyone, especially for a 12-year-old boy, and even more so, for one who is blind. But, climbing the highest point in the country of Belize, Victoria Peak, is a challenge that Rowan was more than willing to take on for the blind and visually impaired children at BCVI.

Row and Joe on Victoria Peak!
Thanks to the Exclusive Airline of the
Ambassadors for Sight - Delta!

In 2010, the Belize Council for the Visually Impaired (BCVI) faced the likelihood of not being able to carry out their Annual Summer Camp for blind children due to a lack of funding. The non-profit organization supports blind and visually impaired students year-round, with the Camps being the highlight for them and their families. While the donations trickled in and camp was successful, in facing this crisis, Rowan and his parents worried about the other kids not having the opportunity in 2011 and came up with the idea.

The Garels have been with BCVI since Rowan was a baby. Now, almost a teenager, and at the top of his 7th Grade class, Rowan is the model student and a wonderfully caring boy. When told about BCVIs struggle raising funds, his parents were offered the chance to send him to the U.S. for a few weeks to attend a summer camp. Although Rowan was excited at the idea, his heartfelt response was, "What about the other kids?" Many of the students and young children in the program come from underprivileged families, and are not fortunate enough to have such opportunities. So, Rowan and his parents decided to help raise funds themselves. And so came about the Climbing Ambassadors for Sight.

We hope that this venture will continue to raise awareness and funds to help support not only Summer Camp, but other educational and rehabilitative training that the organization provides to blind and visually impaired people throughout Belize.

BCVI Summer Camp 2010
Juan and his little brother enjoy the pool at Bacab EcoPark,
 who had sponsored our campers for the day.

More Photos of Rowan's Adventure!

Rowan and Joe pose for a photo on their journey

Rowan shares his experience with his Mom, Milagro.

Rowan as he arrived back at the base

Cockscomb Basin

Photo Album Available!

The Climb is over, but Row's cause remains - make Summer Camp possible for the blind and visually impaired children of Belize! Continue giving your support!

View photos of Row and Joe's adventure Climbing Victoria Peak on BCVI's Facebook Page!

Summited Victoria Peak!

Twelve-year-old Rowan Garel is not only the youngest person to have ever climbed to the top of Victoria Peak, he is also the only person with any type of disability to have accomplished this feat. On Sunday morning at approximately 9:30, Rowan and his father Joe arrived back at the base of the mountain, exhausted to say the least! They were greeted by their family and friends for a welcome back picnic and returned to Belize City before nightfall. 

Rowan will be updating this blog, in the days to come, on just how exciting his journey was. So visit us again soon! In the meantime, here is a sneak peak of their arrival...

Rowan, Joe and their guides as the return to the base after their 3-day journey.

Row and Joe hydrating at the Welcome Back Picnic.

 

Climbing Victoria Peak. Blind.

Rowan and Joe made it to Kilometer 19 yesterday at around 4:30pm and called the family with an update:

Rowan is tired from the full day of hiking, but still excited. He is surrounded by the sounds of macaws and keeled billed toucans and a bunch of other birds. He is practically in Rowan heaven! If all goes as planned today, they will reach the top of Victoria Peak!

Below are some photos that the group took as they accompanied Joe and Row to the 4KM mark.

DELTA
The OFFICIAL AIRLINE of the Climbing Ambassadors for Sight

The walk begins

Time for a break 

Support Rowan's cause by making a donation for blind and visually impaired children throughout Belize!

"Keep Climbing"

BCVI announces DELTA AIRLINES as the OFFICIAL AIRLINE of Rowan and the Climbing Ambassadors for Sight!  "Keep Climbing" with Delta Airlines flying daily from Belize through the Olympic City of Atlanta to approximately 50 cities in the USA and 350 destinations worldwide.

"...feel like marshmallows"

We are at the end of the training and now it's time to relax and rest until we leave on Wed to start the climb on Thurs. I would like to thank all of you who have followed me on the blog, sent comments and also wholeheartedly to you all for your generous donations. I feel tremendous support and am looking forward to the climb. Hoping to meet you all at the Welcome Back Picnic at The Cockscomb Basin! Thanks again so much!

"I won't lie, when I'm done my legs feel like marshmallows!" Rowan on his stair training.

Open Your Eyes!

Catch Rowan and Joe on Channel 5's Morning Show, "Open Your Eyes" 

at 6:30am on Friday March 18th! 

Rowan and Joe's first appearance on "OYE"

I put my new boots on...

This weekend I hiked my first hill with the backpack and my new hiking boots. The boots were much more comfortable than I expected and the hike was easier than I thought it would be. The hardest part was going up, but going down was very easy. Thanks for following my training!

Please remember to donate! It's as easy as clicking a button http://www.bcvi.org/
or you can send cash or check donations to:
    PO Box 525
    Belize City Belize
or
    Belize Bank Account #71096

Getting Ready!

Yesterday I walked 4 miles at a fairly brisk pace in an hour and 10 mins. My backpack is a lot more comfortable now. Today, I went for a shorter walk but at a faster pace. I'm really getting excited and I hope March gets here quickly!

Thank you all so much for following me, and posting comments ~ I truly appreciate them all! Your comments encourage me and give me motivation to continue training very hard.

Read the story that was aired on Channel 7 News!

*Please note there has been a change in the date for the Climb. It has been moved up to Thursday March 24th!*

Donate at BCVI's website and remember, no donation is too small!

Please invite others to follow & please donate!

Hi:
Thank you for your uplifting comments.  They have really  given me hope that I will succeed.  Please invite others to donate and to follow my training and my journey. 

No donation is too great or too small.  Every penny counts.  BCVI is finding it difficult to purchase equipment that will help us in our every day lives.  We the visually impaired people need your help.  Every individual can make a huge difference.

Please donate by clicking here: http://bcvi.org/index.html

For local donations you can send a check to
BCVI            
PO Box 525
Belize City, Belize

or donate directly to our Belize Bank Account Number 71096

Rowan

...but what about the other blind children?

It's a daring adventure for anyone, especially a 12-year-old boy, and even more so, for one who is blind. But, climbing the highest point in the country of Belize, Victoria Peak, is a challenge that Rowan Garel and his father Joe are more than willing to take on for the blind and visually impaired children at BCVI.

In 2010, the Belize Council for the Visually Impaired (BCVI) faced the likelihood of not being able to carry out their Annual Summer Camp for blind children due to a lack of funding. The non-profit organization supports blind and visually impaired students year-round, with the Camps being the highlight for them and their families. While the donations trickled in and camp was successful, in facing this crisis, Rowan and his parents worried about the other kids not having the opportunity in 2011 and came up with the idea.

The Garels have been with BCVI since Rowan was a baby. Now, 12 years old and at the top of his 7th Grade class, Rowan is the model student and a wonderfully caring boy. When told about BCVIs struggle raising funds, his parents were offered the chance to send him to the U.S. for a few weeks to attend a summer camp. Although Rowan was excited at the idea, his heartfelt response was, "What about the other kids?" Many of the students and young children in the program come from underprivileged families, and are not fortunate enough to have such opportunities. So, Rowan and his parents decided to help raise funds themselves. And so came about the Climbing Ambassadors for Sight.

Training started in January 2011 to prepare Joe and Rowan for the March 24th climb. The family, along with BCVI, hope that this venture will raise awareness and funds to help support not only Summer Camp, but other educational and rehabilitative training that the organization provides to blind and visually impaired people throughout Belize. 


Please note that there has been a change in date: the climb has been moved up to March 24th!

If you would like to support this cause, please click here: http://bcvi.org/index.html

In Belize, please send your donations to BCVI at

PO Box 525

Belize City, Belize

For any questions, you can contact us via email at csdairs@gmail.com or by telephone at
 (501) 636.1130

Rowan and his pet turtle