Summer Courses for Teens

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.

Choose one of the courses below or combine them to craft your ideal 2-8 week summer adventure!

Tropical Trek, Raft & Waves

Ages: 14 - 18
Length: 2 Weeks (Combine for up to 8 Weeks)
Dates: Jun. 8 – Jun. 22, 2024
Jul. 20 – Aug. 3, 2024

Discover the true meaning of “off the beaten path”, camp under the stars, and live the pura vida experience on a deep-jungle hike where spectacular rainforest valleys, cascading waterfalls, and winding rivers greet and challenge you at every turn...

Scuba, Sea Turtles, Service & Sloths

Ages: 14 - 18
Length: 2 Weeks (Combine for up to 8 Weeks)
Dates: Jun. 8 – Jun. 22, 2024
Jun. 22 – Jul. 6, 2024
Jul. 27 – Aug. 10, 2024

Discover the natural wonders of Panama as you earn your NAUI Scuba Diver or Advanced certification, work on sea turtle conservation projects, and volunteer on community development projects...

Pacific Surf & Saving Lives

Ages: 14 - 18
Length: 2 Weeks (Combine for up to 8 Weeks)
Dates: Jun. 8 – Jun. 22, 2024
Jul. 6 – Jul. 20, 2024

Catch the Costa Rican waves! Learn or improve your surfing skills as you paddle alongside our expert instructors while earning your First Aid & CPR certification, building new friendships, and discovering more about yourself on this wild adventure...

Pacific Surf Extension

Ages: 14 - 18
Length: 1 Week (Combine for up to 7 Weeks)
Dates: Jun. 22 - Jun. 29, 2024
Jul. 6 - Jul. 13, 2024
Jul. 20 - Jul. 27, 2024
Aug. 3 - Aug. 10, 2024

Extend your summer expedition by adding one week of honing in your surfing skills as you paddle alongside our experienced, professional instructors on the picturesque tropical beaches of Costa Rica....

Combine courses for the
ultimate experience

Put multiple back-to-back courses together to experience the most of Costa Rica and Panama’s diverse environments and unique culture.

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SUMMER COURSES FAQS

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.

  Submit an Inquiry - Summer Courses