Cayo Scoop! The Ecology of Cayo Culture

The 2023 San Jose Succotz Festival is just 2 weeks away. Friday the 17th through Sunday the 19th, and they'll have everything from live music to rides to food, and DJ's.  The Technoband will be performing, and DJ Piju will be mixing on Sunday night.  

Xunantunich got a very nice write up.  The article has lots of great pictures of the site.

"About 20 minutes from Santa Elena, we arrived in San Jose Succotz. San Jose Succotz is a Maya village consisting mainly of people of Yucatec Maya descent. It is also the location of the famous ruins. After we got off the bus, we, then, took a 5-minute ferry ride crossing the river to access the remote ruins. Next was a van ride approximately 5-10 minutes to get to the site. We have to walk uphill and after few minutes, we finally saw the ruins. It was truly a sight to behold...

The Introductory Site History and Display Centers is found at the entrance to the center and is also one of the major attractions in the ruins site. Guests can see more of the artifacts. They can get more and detailed information of the discovery and history of the Mayan culture."

The Beyond the Horizon medical clinic will be at Macal River Park from Monday, May 8th, to Tuesday, May 16th.  They'll be providing services for vision, dental, pediatrics, and gynecology. 

"Free medical service being provided by the U.S Army from May 8th - 16th 2017 at the Macal Park in San Ignacio.  Date for Benque Viejo and San Jose Succotz is Saturday May 13th 2017. Take advantage and share the information."

Feelgood news of the day.  The Rotaract Club of Benque had another successful Fill A Backpack drive, this was their 3rd, and they distributed 25 backpacks last weekend.  Thanks, Rotaract! 

"On Sunday, August 28th, 2016 Rotaract Club of Benque Viejo deliver 25 bags with school supplies to primary school students from San Jose Succotz and Benque Vijeo.  Selection was done based on family' s financial need. "

The Benque House of Culture had their Unidecennial Anniversary with the opening of the Story of Resistance in Belize.  They have quite a few events planned for the September Celebrations.  They had quite a few visitors!

"11 years Anniversary & opening ceremony of exhbitions " The Story of Resistance in Belize", schools from Benque Viejo & San Jose Succotz, honored us with their presence, Mount Camrel High SChool, Victorious Nazarene, San Jose Succotz R.C. Hills of Promise S.D.A. and a host of friends & supporters, we humbly thank you for everything."

The Banquitas House of Culture has posted pictures from Band Fest 2012.  Looks like they have a picture of most of the bands.  Congratulations to Succotz Marching Band for winning again!

Great news for Succotz, and the Institute for Sustainable International Studies.  

"The Institute for Sustainable International Studies (ISIS) has partnered with the village of Succotz in the Cayo district of Belize. This effort provides students with an opportunity to learn while doing volunteer work that supports the needs and goals of the village. The Village Council, two primary schools and a high school, and other village organizations identify projects while ISIS finds student groups and interns to assist with those projects...

As part of their commitment to education, a group within the village has started a library in Succotz. Students with ISIS, from Shenandoah University and the University of Toronto, brought books to donate to the library, reflecting the cultures and literature from their area.

In February, the University of Toronto sent 10 students and a professor who focused their time in Belize on the village of Succotz. After an introduction to Belize, Cayo and Succotz, the students explored the issue of youth and nutrition."

Some great pictures of Cayo from above.  Succotz, Maya Flats, Bullet Tree Falls.

Ricky Cunil got a lot of fun pictures from the Succotz Cultural and Informational day.  

"Community of San Jose Succotz and the Succotz RC School PTA are actively involved in the development of their community, Education and Social needs of their students. They believe that Culture, education, sports and discipline are fundamental activities when it come to the development of our youths, in their daily, personal and educational behaviours. They held a one day Cultural and Information Day at the San Jose Succotz RC School grounds. Where different organizations and groups displayed their products, services and what they have to offer to the community. There were cultural presentation done by students from the school, cultural dishes and delicacies. All this in the effort to develop a positive moral and keep cultural alive in the village. Thank to the Succotz RC School PTA for organizing such a wonderful event."

Feelgood news of the day.  The Rotaract Club of Benque and their partners were able to supply 89 students with backpacks and school supplies in San Jose Succotz.  Here's to a great school year.  Thanks, Rotaract!

"An education starts with the right equipment! The Rotaract Club of Benque Viejo In collaboration with Central TV and Internet joined forces in equipping 50 children ages 5-10 with a back pack to ensure they can pursue their formation as eager and inspirational learners in their upcoming academic school year.

The project: Back-2-School Backpack Project for San Jose Succotz Village received further donations from Princess Entertainment (free zone) Ltd Which supplied the backpacks with basic school supplies including 8 additional backpacks for 10+ year children.
Further donations included a total of 79 Drawstring bags courteously donated by Mrs. Theresa Krebs.

A total of 89 children benefited by our Back-2-school Backpack Project For San Jose Succotz Village.  The Rotaract Club of Benque Viejo continues to collaborate extensively in helping our communities and ensuring to be the inspiration to each of them.

We are Rotary in Action in the communities of Benque Viejo, San Jose Succotz, Calla Creek and surrounding villages!"

Feelgood news of the day.  The Rotaract Club of Benque distributed their Christmas gift baskets in Benque and Succotz, and the Rotaract Club of San Ignacio distributed gift baskets in San Marcos.

"On our 3rd Annual Food Drive . Once again the Rotaract club of Benque Viejo distributed gift baskets to our lovely people form Benque and San Jose Succutz.  Thanks to all for thier full support. Giving smiles and happiness to our kind and loving people.

Today, the Rotaract Club of San Ignacio went to bring Christmas to the Village of San Marcos in the Cayo District. The club distributed Christmas lunch and food baskets to all the families in the village and all the children received toys! The Navidad del Nino project is proudly sponsored by Unicomer-Courts Belize." 

Great little video showing the horseback riding experience to Xunantunich.

"A quiet riverside trail will take you to the village of San Jose Succotz where you will cross the river by ferry.  Just a little further on is the well known Mayan city complex of Xunantunich.  After an hour exploring this site you will be happy for your steady steed to get you off your feet for your ride home.

http://stleonardstoursbelize.com/

Film by Avant Garde Belize www.avbelize.com"

The Department of Youth Services has some video from the basketball competition.  The competition ends this Friday.

"This game took place on the 19-Nov-2012. MCHS Vs. San Jose Succotz U-18
MCHS defeated San Jose Succotz 47-35 — at Benque Viejo del Carmen, Cayo @ Deacon's Court."

Oceana got some great pictures of Band Fest!  Succotz still reigns supreme.

Congratulations to the San Jose Succotz Marching Band!!!

"Organizers of Belize Band Fest 2012 have presented prizes to winning groups. The family event was held this year at the Santiago Ricalde Stadium in Corozal town. Corozal Community College Marching Band was voted the most popular marching band. Succotz Festival Drum Cops won the title of best uniformed marching band, while the Holy Redeemer Marching Band won the drum line competition. In the drum corps category, Delille Academy Marching Band from Dangriga won first place and took home four thousand dollars as prize. They also took home a trophy and individual medals. First runner up was the Sarteneja United Drum Corps while the second runner up was the Holy Redeemer Marching Band. In the Marching Band with Wind Instruments category, the top prize was captured by the defending champions, Succotz Festival Drum Corps. They took home six thousand dollars plus a trophy and individual medals. Second place was captured by the Corozal Community College Marching Band, while the third place winner is the Western Xunan Marching Band."