During the first part of their Leadership Semester course, the group of ten students bonded on a trek through Piedras Blancas. They backpacked their way to two homestays- one with the Lopez family and the other with the Granados family, finally ending with a couple days for a solo. During their solos, students are traditionally encouraged to dig deep into themselves as they reflect on why they are on this Leadership course in Costa Rica, how they are fitting into the group, the lessons they have learned so far, and their values.

The Leadership group stops to rest amidst their week long trek.

After a beautiful, but challenging start to their leadership education, the crew returned to the Outward Bound Rainforest Base for a Wilderness First Responder (WFR) certification course. On base, the students wake up at 6am to cross a river in the back of base and run through the beautiful reserve. They return for a delicious breakfast and hot cup of joe, ready to tackle a full day of coursework. The WFR course, taught by instructor Phil Perez, begins promptly at 8am and goes until dinner. After dinner, students study diligently on base or practice responding to emergencies; the group has been spotted carting volunteer victims to safety on stretchers.

Students will take their final WFR exams before heading off on the third phase of the Leadership Semester, the river. On the river, students will be trained in the Whitewater Rescue Training (WRT), working to earn their second certification of the course. Top performing students in the Leadership Semester are offered an internship upon completion of the course.