Students of our Spring 2013 Leadership Semester finished up course last week. Throughout the semester, this international group of students, arriving from six different countries, trained in seven internationally-recognized outdoor certifications while experiencing the natural wonders of Costa Rica and Panama. Read on to learn how this group spent their action-packed 65-days with Outward Bound Costa Rica!
Spring 2013 Leadership Semester
The group started their course with a hiking expedition into the rainforest where they stayed with our local homestay families. They followed up with their first certification phase, Wilderness First Responder (WFR), where they learned how to attend to victims in remote wilderness settings. A big congrats to the group: all students earned their WFR certification!
Students then headed out on their first river phase, training at both Río Pejibaye and Sarapiquí for their Whitewater Rescue Technician (WRT) certification. This phase was the first opportunity for students to learn what it takes to work as a river guide.
Next up, Leadership students went on to train at climbing wall Iztarú for Technical Ropes Rescue. Combined with their WFR and WRT training, the TRR:OL certification will empower them to join any rescue team – teams that are crucial for attending car accidents, fires, hiking accidents and water emergencies and evacuations.
After a heavy certification-focused beginning, the students enjoyed time at Playa Avellanas, where they surfed and began preparing for their Waterfront Lifeguard training.
The next phase was in Bocas del Toro, Panama, where students wrapped up their lifeguard training and earned their NAUI scuba diver certification! When they weren’t diving into the crystal-clear waters of the Caribbean, the Leadership group stayed on the island of Solarte.
Leadership finished up their course with a final river phase, on the Río Pacuare, General and Savegre, where they learned to guide rafts. All the Leadership students who completed this phase received their Whitewater Raft Guide License, a world-wide recognized outdoor certification issued by the International Rafting Federation (IRF).
Felicidades to the group for completing this challenging course! Though each student came in with a different amount of experience in the outdoor industry, the semester provided all of them a learning opportunity as they prepare for their next steps. One student summarized his experience with the following: “I tested myself with physical hurdles, classroom challenges, and emotional endurance. The sense of satisfaction with its completion is gratifying.”
Interested in spending a semester training for the outdoor industry?
Learn about the course and what it’s like to train as an outdoor leader with Outward Bound Costa Rica.