June – August | 2 – 8 Weeks | Ages 14 to 18 | Individual Enrollment
Our summer courses aren’t for vacationers. They’re for students who want to become more knowledgeable about themselves and the world around them – maybe even to build your resume or material for your college essay application.
All courses include opportunities to volunteer, build life and leadership skills, learn from local cultures, and gain a new level of self-awareness, and appreciation for the world around you.
Put multiple back-to-back courses together to experience the most of Costa Rica and Panama’s diverse environments and unique culture.
Tuition includes all room and board, technical gear, course activities, and in-country transportation. Airfare to/from Costa Rica is not included in the listed tuition cost, nor are personal supplies. Technical gear provided by Outward Bound Costa Rica varies by course, but includes surfboards, masks, fins, scuba gear, life vests, 80L backpacks, duffle bags, tents, sleeping bags, meal kits, etc.
We accept tuition payments by credit card, check, or wire transfer. Full payment is due 30 days prior to course start date.
Step 1: Fill out an Enrollment Form (top right on our navigation bar).
Step 2: Submit a $200 deposit for a two-week course and $500 deposit for three weeks or more to reserve your spot on course–we’ll send you a packing list, information packet and additional course resources. Click here for payment options.
Step 3: Send us a copy of your passport and flight itinerary. For semester-long courses we require completion of a Doctor’s Authorization Form. Additional documentation may be required on a case-by-case basis.
Step 4: Pay your full tuition for course.
Step 5: Come to Costa Rica and join us on course!
On the Enrollment Form, there is a field that asks, “How did you hear about us?” In this field, indicate if you are an alum/sibling of an alum, member of NSCS, member of NSHSS, etc. We will then apply your discount to your course tuition given the information you provided.
Additionally, we automatically apply a $200 discount for participants who enroll and submit a deposit prior to April 15 for our Summer Early Bird Enrollment deadline.
Participants cannot combine discounts and will be credited for the highest monetary discount eligible.
We strive to have an equal mix of boys and girls on course, however, this cannot always be guaranteed.
You can earn multiple certifications depending on which course you choose, including Basic First Aid & CPR/AED, NAUI Scuba Diver, and NAUI Advanced Scuba Diver. Please see our individual course pages for more details.
If you have already achieved your advanced scuba certification, we can offer specialist certifications such as NAUI Underwater Environment and NAUI Underwater Ecologist.
We will always have two instructors on course no matter the size. We plan for a 6:1 student to instructor ratio. We strive for a male, female, English speaker, and Spanish speaker on each course.
Absolutely. We will have a staff member accompanying your son or daughter for pick-ups and drop-offs. There is only one exit out of the airport and our staff will be holding up an Outward Bound Costa Rica sign. Please check-in with this OBCR staffer once you see the sign. Participants will call home within a few hours of their arrival.
