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Mas Camp Visits started last night with the Mahogany and Sunshine Masqueraders and Monica Bodden was in the thick of things. Here's her report:..

Monica Bodden Reporting
It's the first night for the junior carnival mas camps - with our first stop being the Mahogany Masqueraders.

It was intense as these 75 revelers were pumped up with energy -demonstrating that they are ready for the Carnival road march September 3rd.

Nadia Avila - Mahogany Masqueraders
"If you look at them out there while coming here I know you guys were excited right. What happen - they work out every day at 1:00pm. Some of them say why 1:00pm and not at 3:00pm? The parade will almost be over by 3pm - you need to be able to take the sun and those kids out there are ready as hell for this road march."

But carnival isn't all about jumping up and dancing - Showcasing their creativity through costumes is just as important - Many of these bands began creating their pieces from earlier this year.

Nadia Avila -Mahogany Masqueraders
"My team for this year is "Belize at 30 and its People" the first section is preserving our economy - taking what we have. Fishes and chicken and some vegetables for us to stay healthy. The second section is celebrating our cultures; our culture is rich and we are diverse. One costume will be representing the different ethnic groups all in one. The third section will be "United in Peace" the red, white and blue. But the way it will be displayed - it will be almost like a replica of our Belize flag. we are 30 - let us preserve our culture."

Monica Bodden "How the idea actually came about to actually do that team for this year?"

Nadia Avila -Mahogany Masqueraders
"The thing is that I try to do a lot of local every time because I deal with kids. Dealing with kids you have to think about something positive. If you want our kids to represent us later on you need to let them display positivity with whatever they do and that's how - I sleep on it and I wake and I pray and ask God to guide me because I am dealing with innocent lives."

And then it was onto the Sunshine Masqueraders camp. A smaller group of revelers - 33 to be exact - but the energy was no less.

Marilyn Young- Sunshine Masqueraders
"Our team this year is "Tropical Paradise" everything that you see in there is things that grow and live in Belize. Our queen is doing the tropical garden, so she is doing all the flowers that grows in Belize and the king is doing the rainforest and so you will see a few of the things that grow in the rainforest like the Mahogany Tree, jaguar, butterflies and the Scarlet Macaw."

Monica Bodden
"How did you guys actually come up with this idea and why did you choose it for this year?"

Marilyn Young- Sunshine Masqueraders
"I chose it because as you know I am Belizean to the bone. So whenever I pick a team I always choose something that people should be aware of and have knowledge of our country."

And both bands agreed that it is a financial struggle preparing for carnival day.

Marilyn Young- Sunshine Masqueraders
"To be honest right now I am going into my pocket because time is hard and parents don't have the money. They are trying - but they have school books and things to buy - education first. I still try my best and do fundraising and ask for sponsors and I usually get sponsors. My biggest sponsor is Benny's, I have to big-up Benny's, I get a little contribution from Courts this year and I get a little contribution from Simon Quan and SMART and I really appreciate it and want to thank all of them."

Nadia Avila - Mahogany Masqueraders
"I don't like to complain. I try to do my dance, I try to do fundraising every two weeks and that's what helps me. I need money right now like $2,000 - $3,000 but I will not complain. I need to pay for my music, I need to take out the sewing, I need a lot of stuff but I am not like that. God will guide me."

Monica Bodden
"If someone is listening right now and wants to donate. What is your number?"

Nadia Avila - Mahogany Masqueraders
"I would really appreciate it. My number is 627-4013 or my house number is 202-4500 or they could contact me at my residence on McKay Boulevard. I would greatly appreciate it. Even a truck for service - I don't have that."

Tonight our team is at the camp of Southside Masqueraders and we'll have that for you tomorrow…