One of the specific philosophies of Unbounded Thinking, of The Webb Schools in general and of my own personal convictions is that it isn’t enough to simply learn. One has to do. One has to experience.

It is because of this philosophy that Webb has many outdoor and real-world experiences. We go on retreats and Peccary trips, hike in the Grand Canyon, Half Dome, Montana and Utah; travel to Spain, France, China, South America and many others every year.

As the new Science Department Chair, I wanted not only to embrace this philosophy and these adventures but to expand on them. Thus, I decided in the fall of this school year that a trip to the small country of Belize would be the perfect addition. My wife and I have had many previous travels in Belize and felt strongly that it is a very special place that Webb students should experience.

Belize is a small country of only 380,000 people that is situated on the Caribbean just below the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico. It has many beautiful and remote islands within 1-2 hours’ boat ride of its mainland.  Many of these islands are uninhabited. It’s warm, pristine tropical waters boast the largest barrier reef system in the western hemisphere and is 2^nd in size only to the Great Barrier Reef of Australia (the world’s largest!).  Belize used to be called the British Honduras and was a colony of the British Empire form the mid-1800’s to the 1960’s. The English mined for precious metals, lumbered for teak, mahogany and ironwood trees and created many valuable dyes from plants found in the rainforests there. In 1968, Great Britain began the process of independence and in 1982 the country accomplished sovereignty and became known as Belize. It has amazing diversity in its plants, animals and people. There are several distinct peoples in Belize that create a varied yet cohesive culture. Mayan ancestors from the Mayan empire (its peak was 1000-1500 years ago), Spanish ancestors (from Cortez and the Spanish Incursion of the 16^th century), African ancestors (from the slave trade) that fractured into islanders, Creole and Rastafarians and Mezitos (Spanish and Mayan mixed blood). Amazingly, all of these cultures get along well together. Belize is a 3^rd world country that is both poor and yet not impoverished. By that I mean most Belizeans have little money but do have homes they built, land and space, and they grow much of their own food. The one exception is the poor who live in Belize City where a large slum exists.

The Webb students experienced all of these things as well as all of the natural wonders that exist there. We snorkeled in areas that were completely pristine and protected as well as areas that were over-fished and had lost much of their biodiversity. We snorkeled in areas where the students could see the economic and nature benefits of ecotourism and yet on the same boat trip to get there, plastic pollution and trash were evident from cruise ships even on the most remote beaches.

We canoed up ancient rivers through pristine rainforest, jumped off waterfalls and waterside cliffs. We swam into cave systems that went for miles. Leaving the water, we hiked into caverns that held the remains of ancient Mayan rituals and the skeletons of Shamans (Mayan spiritual doctors) who were considered the only guides to and through the underworld. The ancient Mayan culture made a great impression on my students and inspired respect for the knowledge, skills and courage of ancient peoples.

 Our Webb students were amazed by what they saw and experienced. I think more importantly, they experienced many priceless, thoughtful and life-changing moments first-hand of what it might have been like to be an ancient indigenous person, a poor person in a 3^rd world country of today, a farmer or a fisherman who relies on his/her daily work for food and money, and a guide who makes his/her living from tourists. Global issues were/are apparent in Belize. Our students not only became aware of these issues, they grew tremendously as thoughtful and responsible Global citizens.

To me, “way beyond the standard” means affecting our students in deep, meaningful and life-changing ways. I cannot help but feel that our Belize students will not only remember this journey, but will also be positively affected by it the rest of their lives. I know my wife and I will…

Community service is thriving at Webb. Over the last two years, the opportunities at Webb for service learning have greatly expanded, both in the local community and abroad. Recently, thirteen students and two faculty members returned from an amazing service trip to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands where they helped construct a bathroom and rest area in the remote and rural village of Purcara. The group spent their entire spring break working for the good of others. Members of the group reported that the experience was “life changing,” and something that they would like to do again. Last year, twenty students and two teachers journeyed to Urumbamba, Peru, high in the Andes, where they too worked tirelessly on behalf of those with much less than we have. In conjunction with Global Works Travel, Webb’s footprint now makes its mark on a global scale.

However, Webb students can be just as active in the local community where service opportunities abound. Between participation in the after-school service program or as a member of the sixty-plus member Service Council, Webb students can choose from a wide variety of volunteer projects. Over the last two years, the Service Council has focused their energies on collaborating and volunteering at a few select local agencies. These agencies include the Claremont Prison Library Project, Leroy Haynes Foster Home, Amnesty International, Habitat for Humanity, American Red Cross, Global Citizens Corps, Project HOPE dog and cat adoption, the Green Club, and CLASP-Claremont After-School tutoring program. The mission of the Service Council and Webb’s service program is “service through action,” as opposed to simply writing a check or donating cash. The students select the projects they would like to lead and manage all aspects of the project. A few dedicated Webb teachers have found service as something they too are passionate about. Madame Likover is a tireless supporter of local agencies, and Ms. Wilsdon spends every weekend taking students with her to Project HOPE.

The growth and popularity of the service program at Webb over the last two years has been simply amazing. These are students who understand the value of giving back without receiving accolades or awards. And, Webb has no service requirement! Our students serve as volunteers, role models, and teachers in the community and beyond. Our students represent Webb with style and selflessness. Some have gone on to perform service or serve on boards at the national level, much like our own Kate Sim ’10, and her work with Habitat for Humanity. Several students are pursuing education degrees following their work in the after-school tutoring program. As the community service advisor, I find great reward and personal growth in leading and working alongside such incredibly dedicated students and faculty.