In celebration of Reef Week 2026 (March 7–14) and Mesoamerican Reef Day (March 10), the Belize Fund for a Sustainable Future (Belize Fund) and the Protected Areas Conservation Trust (PACT) invite students across Belize to participate in the Fi We Reef, Fi We Roots: Protected Areas Youth Scavenger Hunt.

This nationwide social media challenge encourages young Belizeans to explore and “hunt” for knowledge about Belize’s protected areas while sharing what they learn through creative short videos.

Through teamwork, creativity, and storytelling, students will uncover facts about Belize’s marine and terrestrial protected areas and how they protect biodiversity, communities, and the Mesoamerican Reef.

How the Scavenger Hunt Works:

Students form teams of 2 to 5 members.

Each team must create a short video (60–90 seconds) completing the scavenger hunt challenge by answering the following prompts:

1️⃣ Find and share one cool fact about any THREE protected areas in Belize.

Students may choose from the following protected areas supported by Belize Fund and PACT:

• Bladen Nature Reserve
• Sapodilla Cayes Marine Reserve
• Gladden Spit & Silk Cayes Marine Reserve
• Laughing Bird Caye National Park
• Bacalar Chico National Park
• Blue Hole Natural Monument
• Chiquibul National Park
• Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary
• Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve
• Monkey Bay National Park

2️⃣ Explain why protected areas in general are important to Belize.

3️⃣ Tell us: What does “Fi We Reef, Fi We Roots” mean to you as young Belizeans?

The video should creatively combine these three elements into a short story or presentation.

Students are encouraged to use drawings, props, maps, costumes, or other creative storytelling to bring their videos to life.

Eligibility:

Open to students enrolled in:

• Standard 4, 5, and 6 in any primary school in Belize
• 1st and 2nd Forms in any secondary school in Belize

Teams may include two to five students.

Rules and Guidelines:

• All submissions must be original creations produced by the participating team.
• Maximum video length: 1 minute 30 seconds.
• Videos must clearly answer the scavenger hunt prompts.
• Videos must have clear audio and video quality.
• Original work only. Plagiarized content, copied material, or AI-generated videos will not be accepted.
• Video resolution must be at least 720p. Blurry videos will be disqualified. Participants are encouraged to wipe the camera lens before recording to ensure a clear image.
• Each school may have multiple teams but each team may submit one entry only.
• Participants must submit their video along with the completed entry form to
  campaign@belizefund.bz
• All eligible submissions will be jointly posted on our Facebook and Instagram pages.

Judging Criteria:

• Submissions will be reviewed by a judging panel based on the following:
  • Accuracy and understanding of protected areas featured in the video.
  • Clear explanation of why protected areas are important to Belize.
  • Connection to the theme “Fi We Reef, Fi We Roots.”
  • Creativity and storytelling in presenting the message.
  • Overall quality of the video, including clarity, teamwork, and engagement.
• School Participation Awards will be determined by the total number of valid team submissions from each school. Each team submission must meet all contest rules to qualify.
• People’s Choice Award will be given to the video with the highest combined number of likes, comments, and shares

Prizes

• Primary School Awards (1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd for Standards 4, 5, and 6) Subtotal: $2,250
  • 🥇 1st Place – $350
  • 🥈 2nd Place – $250
  • 🥉 3rd Place – $150

• High School Awards (1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd for Forms 1 and 2) Subtotal: $1,800
  • 🥇 1st Place – $400
  • 🥈 2nd Place – $300
  • 🥉 3rd Place – $200

• People’s Choice Award (Video with the highest engagement of likes, comments, shares)
  • 🏆 Prize: $300

• School Participation Awards (Top 4 schools with the highest number of valid team submissions) Subtotal: $3,600
  • 🏫 $900 each

• Special Recognition Awards
  • 🎥 Best Educational Video – $300
  • 🌱 Best Youth Conservation Message – $300
  • 🎭 Creative Storytelling Award – $300

Contest Duration: March 7th – 17th, 2024

Winners Announced: March 20^th.

Disclaimer:

By submitting an entry, participants agree and grant permission for full use by the Belize Fund and PACT to be displayed, distributed, reproduced, and created as derivative works of the texts, in whole or in part, in any media currently existing or subsequently developed, for any educational, promotional, publicity, exhibition, archival, scholarly, or all other standard purposes of the Belize Fund and PACT’s communication activities and product development related to Belize coastal and marine environment.