Here are the top photos and highlights from the past week on course!

GIRL SCOUT DESTINATIONS

Scuba & Sea Turtle Adventure (Session #3)

The group finished their turtle segment after a few days and then took a boat taxi to the archipelago of Bocas del Toro to begin the scuba portion of their trip. They got the chance to kick back in their new homes on Isla Solarte while they got acquainted with their new surroundings. The girls aided the community by helping pick up trash around its shores in pathways. A group of young local girls saw them picking up the trash and asked why they what they were doing. The scouts from this group explained to the little girls the importance of keeping garbage away from the shores and wildlife and the young girls joined in to help! The group then enjoyed a zipline canopy tour and visit to the artisan market; both of which provided unique windows into the essence of this tropical region. In the past few days, the girls became more acquainted with the basics of scuba safety and navigation. With this knowledge as a base, they were able to glide through the waters and witness gorgeous sites like the colorful coral reefs that one can find scattered across the island’s shores.They honed the fundamentals of diving and all recently took their certification exam! Soon they will be flying back and it was a pleasure to host them!

Service Challenge (Session #3)

The girls did an awesome job with their service in the Bribri community! The school they painted looks amazing! They all loaded in vans upon wrapping up that portion of their trip and headed down across the Panamanian border to the coastal town of San San Pond Sak. Their mission there was to aid in the conservation of the local leatherback turtle population. The leatherback turtle is the largest of the seafaring turtles yet is also unfortunately a threatened species due to human activity. Luckily, the leatherback turtle population will recover due to the conservation efforts like the ones these girl scouts are engaged in! After helping the turtles, the girls helped themselves to a delicious lunch in Cahuita National Park en route to our home base in San Ramon de Tres Rios. They dropped off their gear, rested, then set out to tackle some rapids on a rafting excursion! The action continued the following day as they ziplined through the beautiful Costa Rican rainforest canopy. One last home-cooked meal on base awaits them before they prepare to return to their respective homes this Saturday!

OPEN ENROLLMENT

Caribbean Scuba & Service (Session #3)

The turquoise waters of the Bocas del Toro islands awaited these divers-to-be as they prepared themselves for their first scuba lesson! Our instructors made sure to have a firm understanding of the essential skills of scuba diving like hand signals and breathing techniques before they set out for their first dive. The first dive was in shallow water conditions so that they could get comfortable with the equipment and techniques. As the students coasted through the waters they saw coral reefs and tropical marine species. They enjoyed some time wakeboarding through the waters around the archipelago and this weekend they will be crossing the border back into Costa Rica to learn how to surf! Can’t wait to see what’s next for this crew.

Service Hike & Homestay (Session #3)

Shortly after this crew arrived in Costa Rica they met their coursemates, received an orientation, learned how to pack a backpacking bag, and were off on their hiking expedition! The first three days were characterized by serene days full of new sights and climates as they moved across the country through different elevations. Each night they set up camp or stayed at a local homestay and exchanged stories as the sun set before they went to sleep for the next day. They’ve been able to soak up the culture of Costa Rica as they ate home cooked meals and enjoyed the company of each new family they met along the way. Soon the main hiking portion of their course will come to an end but the adventures will continue as they head to the beach for surfing some of the most incredible beaches on the Pacific Coast! They may even spot a monkey or a sloth.

Surf Service & CPR (Session #3)

This group got the ball rolling and headed to the Pacific coast in the pre-dawn hours last Sunday. Upon arriving at the beach, they quickly disembarked from their van to get their campsite set up. At the beach they began beach school—this is where they learn surfing basics like board selection, how to spot a rip current, water safety and also coastline maintenance techniques. Each day has consisted of a variety of activities from morning surf lessons, solo reflections, visiting a picturesque waterfall, and group meetings. Coming up next week, they will continue honing their skills in surfing and training for their First Aid & CPR certifications! Best of luck, you guys got this!

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