Mysterious Costa Rica.
Community Service & Spanish exposure Program
Come and have a life changing experience on one of our exclusive summer camps
Costa Rica Summer Programs:
Length: 15 days
Ages: 11 - 18 years
Service Hours: 35-42 hours
Arrive: San Jose, Costa Rica
Depart: San Jose, Costa Rica
Fees: Contact us
What's included?: See here
Join us in Costa Rica as we journey down el sendero – “our own trail” – experiencing life off the beaten path in the shadow of the Turrialba Volcano.
Our 15-day teen community service trip and Spanish immersion program in Costa Rica takes us through the beautiful country as we visit mountains, a rainforest, and beaches.
Improve your Spanish as we immerse ourselves in a rural community within the Turrialba Valley to repair family homes and teach English to local children – making time to surf, sea kayak, zip-line, and whitewater raft.
Highlights
#1 Those adorable Sloths
These friendly, fuzzy, two- and three-toed guys are a bit hard to see as they blend in so well with their surroundings, so look hard!
#2 Rio Pacuare
Adrenaline-charged whitewater rafting on the Pacuare River combines the tropical landscape and power of water into a Central American fantasy world.
#3 Surfing epic Playa Negra
Costa Rica has something for everyone with more than 800 miles of palm-fringed coastline and a variety of beaches, reef breaks, and river mouths. Playa Negra is one of the most sought after surf spots.
It’s famous for right-hand barrel waves where the surf rushes over the shallow bottom.
#4 Those Crazy Toucans
Birdwatchers, get out your binoculars! Colorful toucans are important to the rainforest ecosystem. Hummingbirds, scarlet macaws, and the resplendent quetzal also can be seen while hiking the national parks.
#5 Dolphins
All kinds of dolphins are seen in Costa Rica. From spotted to bottlenose, they are very playful and sometimes even swim next to you while you kayak!
#6 Sleeping by the river
Very few things can compare to the joys of falling asleep with the sounds of the rainforest and river nearby. A secluded location with hammocks and candlelit dining makes it that much more meaningful.
#7 Chocolate Factory
Before Europeans arrived to hunt for gold, indigenous Costa Ricans used money that literally grew on trees. The tiny brown seeds of the cacao bean were used as currency and were worth their weight in gold.
Program Information
Overview
Community Service Hours:
Repair homes of families in need in a rural village in Turrialba
Teach English to local students and participate in communal activities that make up life in rural Costa Rica
A Certificate of Community Service indicating the total number of hours worked and a Presidential Volunteer Service Award will be issued upon successful completion of the program.
Immersion within Community and Country
No previous Spanish speaking experience necessary
Activities:
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Surf: Playa Negra (Caribbean Coast)
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Hike: Pacuare Nature Reserve
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Zip Line: Pacuare Nature Reserve
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Sea Kayak: Caribbean Coast
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Whitewater Raft: Pacuare River
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Explore: Cahuita National Park, Caribbean Coast
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Cultural Exchange: Native Costa Ricans
Accommodations:
While in San Jose and along the Caribbean coast, we stay in a hotel. Showers are available in the hotels; however, we try to shower every three to four days to conserve resources and support sustainability.
In Turrialba, we stay in a community center where bucket showers will be available every three to four days. During our time in the Jungle we sleep in platform tents with mattresses where showers are available. Bathrooms range from flush toilets in hotels to latrines throughout jungle time.
Itinerary
Arrival (Day 1):
Arrive in San Jose, Costa Rica. Meet the group and rest up at the hotel.
Orientation & Community Service Project (Days 2-8):
Collect supplies. Head out of San Jose due south to service site in Turrialba. Spend the next eight days helping community members repair their homes, speaking Spanish, teaching English, and playing fútbol.
Raft & Zip line through the jungle (Days 11-13):
Head to the Turrialba Valley and the Pacuare River. Raft class 2 and 3 rapids through the rainforest. Zip-line through the canopy, hike to a pristine waterfall, swim in the nearby natural pools.
Final banquet (Day 14):
Reminisce over a final feast in San Jose.
Go home (Day 14):
Say final goodbyes and board flights home.
