Coast Guard Cadet Program Expands Youth Opportunities in Southern Belize

A youth development initiative is making waves in the south, as the Belize Coast Guard’s Sea Cadets Program continues to give young people in Independence Village a structured and positive outlet after school.  The program, which caters to children and teens between the ages of six and sixteen, brings together as many as thirty cadets per session, depending on availability and how far participants travel from. Training sessions are held every Tuesday and Thursday at the center in Independence Village, from four to five in the afternoon.  Leading the effort is Senior Chief Joycelyn Galvez, who currently serves as Admin Chief at Sector South. She says the goal of the program is straightforward to keep young people engaged and on the right track.

The program was launched in February of this year, with cadets beginning their training in basic drills. This week, ahead of the Easter break, the focus shifted to traffic laws and road safety, an important life skill for young people of all ages.  Senior Chief Galvez also had a direct message for parents of high school students, encouraging them to see the program as more than just an after-school activity, but as a potential career pathway.

The Sea Cadets Program is open to youth in and around the Independence Village area, with sessions continuing every Tuesday and Thursday throughout the school term.