BFREE staff stand on the beach in Placencia as they kick off their annual staff retreat. Pictured from left to right: Heather, Isabel, Nelly, Maya, Tyler, Jacob, Esteban, Tom, Thomas, Pedro, Elmer, Canti

The staff of BFREE works hard all year to ensure the running of the BFREE field station. They make certain that it is maintained, properly functioning and that all visitors are kept safe, fed, and happy during their visit. BFREE staff members also play a large role as site guides, educators and researchers.

 For most staff, traveling to the field station from their homes means commuting long distances. During the week the field station is more than just a workplace, it is also their home. Staff work either Monday through Friday while living at BFREE or work on shifts of ten days on, ten days off. The staff happily admits that they think of BFREE as their second home and each other as family.

For the 2016 annual retreat, the group ventured to the small, coastal village of Placencia for the night. The evening was spent enjoying dinner together before going bowling at Jaguar Lanes, a small four lane modern facility just north of Placencia.

Staff pose for another group photo after a fun night of bowling at Jaguar Lanes.

Bowling is widely an unknown sport in Belize and only one of the Belizean staff had played before. You wouldn’t be able to know this however by the level of competition that existed before even lacing up our shoes! The competition remained heated throughout the evening as well as the cheers and laughter. There was even talk upon returning to BFREE of turning the dining room table into the staff’s mini practice lane. Don’t worry, the table has been spared.

Tom Pop proves to be a natural as he aims for another strike during his first time ever bowling.

BFREE Executive Director, Jacob Marlin, and Deputy Director, Heather Barrett, would like to extend another big “thank you” to all of the staff for making BFREE a fabulous workplace and for believing wholeheartedly in the BFREE mission.