Since 2009, Outward Bound Costa Rica has partnered The European School, one of the premier private schools in Costa Rica’s Central Valley, to provide a multi-day course as part of the 11th grade class curriculum. This liberal arts and humanities school serves both international and Costa Rican students.

In February 2018, 28 students from the school joined us on a 7-day hiking course to step out of their traditional classroom and into the rainforest. Some of the course highlights from their course includes: backpacking through remote rainforest regions, waterfall rappelling, village homestays, and surfing lessons.

The 28 students were split into two patrols, and for each patrol, one instructor shared with us some key takeaways from the students’ experience. Take read below:

Patrol 1:

“Day one we picked up the students from Colegio Europeo early in the morning. As we drove out of the parking lot waving goodbye to their families the range from excitement, nerves, and the thought of this unknown adventure was clear.

The whole week the students continued to push their boundaries and learn more about one another, themselves, and their potential. Throughout the week the group faced a mountain of challenges. From sleeping under a tarp for the first time to rappelling down a waterfall, to the day-to-day climbing. One of the most impressive feats of this group was their positive attitude throughout it all. As the week went on they became more of a team and learned to work together to accomplish their goal and in doing so, they set the record for fastest group from Colegio Europeo to do the waterfall activity.

During our final meeting the honesty and appreciation for what they have was astounding. They formed new friendships and strengthened old ones, and truly created a new family.”

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Patrol 2:

“As an instructor you always hope that your students walk away from their Outward Bound Costa Rica experience transformed into a better version of themselves. These students all knew each other on some level as they are in the same grade, but they had no idea the affect of living together for 24 hours a day for 7 days would change them at all.

As they learned more about each other, they learned more about themselves. They learned that by putting the needs of others first made the group stronger. They learned that sometimes just a smile can change someone’s whole day. By learning more about the different leadership styles, they learned that you need the wisdom of all the different styles to make an efficient and well-organized group; not to mention an emotionally stable group. They learned to speak up for themselves and their needs.

Coming into the course I asked everyone if there was any of them who really wanted to be on course as it is mandatory. The general consensus was well—I guess I don’t have anything better to do. At the end of course, more students than not said they had fun and would definitely do it again. For me, that is as good as it gets.”

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Thank you to each student for opening your hearts and minds to make this course all that it could be for you. Lastly, a big thank you to Dieter, teacher at The European School, for facilitating and coordinating this course with us. You are always an invaluable help in communicating with students and parents in preparation for course.

Interested in a Custom Course?

Surf, hike, raft, scuba, kayak, and more on a Custom Course with your class, family, friends, school, Girl Scout troop, or co-workers.