To celebrate 25 years since Outward Bound Costa Rica received their full charter from Outward Bound International, we’ve made a list of 25 things we love about OBCR! After 25 years, there is a lot to love about our organization.
1. Rafi
One of the best things about coming to base is being greeted by our welcome committee headed by Rafi, our base dog. Rafi is about 12 years old but has the same pep in his step as when he first arrived on base. Some of his favorite activities include hanging out with the students in the Cocina and sunbathing outside the Marketing Office.
2. The Location of Base Camp
The base camp is located just outside of the capital city of San Jose in the jungle of San Ramon de Tres Rios. It is a great central spot for students to travel to their program destinations. We are also surrounded by amazing locations to zip lining, tree climbing, white water rafting, and coffee plantations. Not to mention, we are adjacent to a rainforest reserve where students can complete reforestation projects and nature hikes. When students first arrive at base, they are greeted by arguably one of the best views to kick off their adventure, it is only the first of many that will take their breath away. Take a look at our rainforest base tour!
3. The Bodega
The Bodega feels like the heart of the Outward Bound Costa Rica operation. It is where students first enter when they arrive at base and the last place they see before they leave. The Bodega is also home to all the equipment that allows students to do fun activities on courses like surfing and white water rafting.
4. Biodiversity of Costa Rica
Costa Rica accounts for only 0.03% of the earth’s surface, however, it contains nearly 6% of the world’s biodiversity! Biodiversity is the variety and variability of life on earth. The geographical location of Costa Rica explains its natural wealth in species and ecosystems. On base, we have a multitude of flora that most students have never been able to experience before. If you are lucky, you might be able to see boa constrictors, pizotes, squirrels, armadillos, and a variety of hummingbirds!
5. Scuba Diving
OBCR is one of the only (if not the only!) Outward Bound school that offers scuba diving. Students can earn their basic NAUI Scuba Certification or their advanced certification. Once the students arrive in Bocas Del Toro, they begin practicing their confined water skills in preparation for their dives with our Dive Master Jim Rowe (who is also our Executive Director)! The groups then complete an open water dive to a shipwreck and go night diving/snorkeling where they experience bioluminescence, one of Panama’s natural wonders! When diving, some students are fortunate to see manta rays and jellyfish among other sea creatures!
6. Girl Scouts
In 2006, OBCR partnered with Girl Scouts of the United States to offer Destinations courses in Costa Rica and Panama. Girl Scout Destinations are easily Outward Bounds instructor’s favorite courses to work with due to the energy that the Girl Scouts bring to every challenge and activity! On the boat ride to Panama, the instructors have reported the girls breaking out in song and sometimes even creating their own! Most Girl Scouts enter courses with strangers and leave with friendships that will last a lifetime. Currently, we offer four courses for Girl Scouts: Sea Turtle Retreat, Rainforest Trek River & Reef, Catching Waves in Costa Rica, and Sea Turtle, Service & Scuba Adventure.
7. Self-Discovery
Our courses encourage students to challenge themselves and step outside their comfort zone, allowing for personal growth and self-exploration.
“I have grown so much during the span of two weeks than I have in any other program. I am beyond thankful that I had the opportunity to attend this course. I had an incredible time… I am so happy with how much I have learned not only about myself but about the world around me.” – Shariani A.
8. Team Building
Throughout course, students work closely with others to build interpersonal skills through conversation, activities, and daily tasks.
“The particular moments around helping cook, clean, serve others, and wait until everyone eats before getting more were moments I saw real growth in student team building.” – Devon D.
9. Disconnecting
No electronics are allowed on course, which encourages students to disconnect, reflect, and reconnect with the natural world and the people around them. Away from the distractions and pressures of social media, many students emphasize the importance of this rule on their overall experience, noting that it allowed time for more introspection and helped them to form stronger bonds with their coursemates.
“It just gave me the opportunity to be fully disconnected from my social life, which allowed me to really rethink my interpersonal relationships in a way that I had never before.” – Owen T.
“I feel like this course really helped me take a break from real life and just breathe for a bit.” – Nicole D.
10. Life Changing Moments
From rappelling down a waterfall to releasing baby sea turtles, students have the opportunity to see and experience the world from a different perspective, often resulting in once-in-a-lifetime moments.
“Honestly, hanging out on the porch at Solarte and journaling, dancing, and just talking with all of my group members was the most incredible part of the experience. I had a lot of ‘I can’t believe I’m here doing this” moments, and I learned that I really value individual moments!” – Hana P.
“The most meaningful part was when we released the turtles because I felt as if I was a part of something amazing and huge.” – Ania H.
11. The Solo
Outward Bound’s founder, Kurt Hahn, first introduced the idea of the Solo at the Salem school he founded in Germany in 1920. He believed regular periods of silence and solitude were necessary for true learning. Outward Bound later adopted this period of solitude which evolved into a ‘night alone,’ when students camped alone overnight, isolated from the other students.
The Solo is an opportunity to camp alone and disconnect from the group in a controlled environment with food, water, and shelter. It is a meditative experience, rather than a survival exercise, to reflect on the participant’s Outward Bound course and their life. At OBCR, Solo ranges from a few hours on shorter courses to 1-3 days on our Gap Year & Semester courses. If a participant would need assistance, they can blow their whistle to summon their instructor, who stays within earshot of all participants.
During their Solo, participants journal, do yoga, cook, make up games to play, sleep, exercise, and, of course, they think. Thinking for that amount of time with no distractions is so foreign to some participants that it scares them at first, but it usually ends up being one of the highlights of their experience.
12. Lasting Friendships
Many students leave course with new friends and lasting memories. Shared experiences like night scuba-diving or a multi-day trek allow students to grow together, learn from each other, and form close bonds that last even after course is over.
“The most meaningful part of my experience was the people I met here. I have made strong bonds with everyone on this trip, and it means a lot to know how powerful the relationships I have made are.” – Grace V.
13. Leadership Skills
On course, our instructors follow our educational model and engage students in a variety of games and activities that help them to develop their own individual leadership styles. Students also have the opportunity to become a “cacique,” or group leader, during their course to help motivate and lead others in the group.
“I have learned how to be a better leader because of the cacique role in our group. We also learned how to be different kinds of leaders and I have grown in being a more supportive leader.” – Seannah P.
14. Whitewater Rafting
Costa Rica is among one of the top whitewater destinations in the world, and students have the opportunity to raft the Sarapiqui, General, Pejibaye, and Pacuare Rivers which feature Class II-IV rapids. Students on our semester courses also have the opportunity to receive their Whitewater Rescue Technician and Whitewater Raft Guide certifications!
15. Service Projects
While on course with OBCR, students give back through a multitude of service projects. These projects include wildlife conservation, as well as community service efforts, where we help to support the Indigenous communities of Costa Rica and Panama. Each of these projects support the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – “Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable”
Goal 14: Life Below Water – “Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources.”
Goal 15: Life On Land – “Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss.”
16. Expanding Your Worldview
Outward Bound Costa Rica has long standing partnerships with local indigenous communities in both Costa Rica and Panama. Students have the opportunity to connect with these communities through community service projects that range from installing rainwater catchment systems to interacting with indigenous school children. Through these experiences students learn more about Costa Rican culture and are able to expand their world view by experiencing the local way of life.
“I think the most meaningful part of the experience was learning about the differences in my way of life compared to the communities in Costa Rica and Panama, and even how my life differs from those of the other members in our group.” – Jillian C
17. Certifications
While on course, our different student groups have the opportunity to complete the training and receive a number of important outdoor certifications. Receiving these certifications allows students to enhance their knowledge and expand their outdoor skills.
The certifications offered:
- NAUI Scuba Diver Certification
- Advanced NAUI Scuba Diver Certification
- Basic First Aid & CPR/AED
- Basic Life Support (CPR for the Professional Rescuer)
- Wilderness Advanced First Aid
- Wilderness First Responder
- Lifeguarding with Waterfront Module
- Whitewater Rescue Technician
- Recreational Rappel Operator
- Whitewater Raft Guide License Level 2 or 3
18. Instructors
The backbone of every Outward Bound School is the hard-working, adventurous, and amazing instructors! We could talk forever about how great they are, but our students and trip advisors say it best:
“Kenneth is so funny and never was in a bad mood always super positive and knew what he was doing the whole course. I think we all said if we were trapped in the wilderness somewhere alone we would take Kenneth with us. He was very comforting and such a cool guy to be around. Gonna miss him a lot.” -TTRW student
“Nany was amazing, and I don’t think we could have had a better instructor. She was always there for us and was always helping to fix our problems. She always had a positive attitude and was extremely energetic.” – Chloe U.
“Bailey was incredible in and out of the water. She cared for the students and also helped them grow. She had high expectations and showed students how they could meet them. She figured out what would be best for the group and made it happen. I would also travel anywhere with her as a leader – she is awesome.” – Devon D.
19. Intercultural Experience
Many of our staff members are from Costa Rica. Their local expertise helps guide and lead our outdoor expeditions. They give us the opportunity to practice speaking Spanish and learn about the many unique wonders of Costa Rica.
One of the key Sustainable Development Goals that OBCR’s work contributes to is Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities. We do this by building and maintaining meaningful relationships with people in the community.
Our local Costa Rican Staff members proudly holding the flag of Costa Rica.
20. Local Weather
Here in Costa Rica, we have two distinct seasons: rainy season and dry season. The rainy season is from May to mid-December, when we see sunny mornings (when we do most of our outdoor activities!) and rain in the afternoons (reflection time). The rain contributes to Costa Rica’s beautiful and lush rainforests. Along the coasts of Costa Rica and in Bocas Del Toro, Panama (a destination for our scuba diving courses) warmer weather kindly welcomes our students.
21. Samuel's Food
Samuel is our wonderful cook at base. He keeps everyone well fed with excellent Costa Rican cuisine. His constant cheeriness and thoughtfulness will brighten your day.
Prior to eating dinner, students join together in a Chow Circle. The Chow Circle is a chance for the students to share their highs and lows of the day, as well as express their gratitude. Each circle ends in a “Buen Provecho!” right before devouring Samuel’s delicious meal.
22. Sea Turtles
In the local community of San San Pond Sak, our students become wildlife conservationists. Students learn and take part in conservation projects to protect the endangered leatherback and hawksbill sea turtle populations. This is a truly remarkable activity to participate in!
23. Experiential Learning
We want our students to learn by doing and we see many of them thrive outside of a typical classroom setting. Through their experiences, they learn about themselves and the world around them. Students build their leadership style and learn to work within a team.
24. Stepping Outside of your Comfort Zone
Outward Bound Cosa Rica provides students with the opportunity to step out of their comfort zone and try something new and adventurous. We challenge students to overcome their fears in order to gain new insight about themselves.
“There is more to us than we know if we could be made to see it; perhaps, for the rest of our lives we will be unwilling to settle for less.” – Kurt Hahn, original founder Outward Bound
25. Moon Turtles
The ‘moon frogs’ or ‘moon turtles’ are passed around at nightly meetings as a type of good energy passed along the group. At the end of the first nightly meeting, the instructor will pass them to a student who might have had a great day or needs a bit of a pick-me-up. This is then repeated at every nightly meeting and a designated student wears all the frogs or turtles around their neck for the day. Once back at base, the students all whisper something nice about their trip and they are passed out to the students as a token from their course.
Looking to explore Central America?
Join us on our fall Coast to Coast Expedition. Envision yourself spending 85 days in Costa Rica and Panama!
Submit an inquiry or contact our Enrollment Manager at 800-676-2018 or by emailing [email protected].
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