Year-round | 3 Days to Several Weeks | Ages 13 to 70 | 5 Participants Minimum
Custom Courses
Custom courses are perfect for...
Groups
Teams
& Family
Troops
Teams
We believe that the best things in life are personalized; so we’ve launched our custom courses for 5 or more people. Tell us your dates, duration and activities—we’ll do the rest! Step by step, we’ll create an unforgettable adventure to Costa Rica, Panama or Nicaragua. Bring 7 others on your custom course and you will come for free!
No matter your age, the activities you’re taking part in or who you’re here with you will be challenged, you will gain new skills and you will have a once in a lifetime experience.
HANDPICK YOUR ACTIVITIES
Choose any combination of activities from the following categories to make up your course, or come up with your own ideas! We recommend mixing activities from each category (Outdoor Adventures, Volunteering and Skills & Training) to give your trip variety.
Outdoor Adventures
Hike/Trek
- Rainforest Trek
- Wilderness Solo
- Eco, Wildlife & Cultural Tours
- Volcano Hikes
- Camping or Homestay
Water Sports
- Surf & Bodyboard
- Whitewater Raft
- Sea Kayak
- Scuba Dive
- Snorkel
- Wakeboard
Climb/Ropes/Height
- Tree Climb
- Zipline Canopy Tour
- Rock Climb
- Waterfall Rappel
Service Projects
Community Service
Previous projects include building and painting schools, creating sustainable fresh water systems, creating playground equipment for schools and other infrastructure related activities.
Sea Turtle Conservation
Work alongside local conservationists to help protect sea turtle populations during the nesting and hatching season.
Environmental Initiatives
Plant trees and help with the trail maintenance of a natural reserve or clean-up a major waterway.
Certifications
Certifications
- NAUI Scuba Diver Basic or Advanced
- Whitewater Raft Guide License L2 or 3
- Whitewater Rescue Technician
- Lifeguarding with Waterfront Module
- CPR for the Professional Rescuer (BLS)
- Wilderness First Responder
- Wilderness Advanced First Aid
- Recreational Rappel Operator
- Basic First Aid & CPR/AED
Professional Development
- Leadership Skills
- Teambuilding
- Self-Reflection Activities
- Project Management
- Confidence and Resilience
Latin American Culture
- Spanish Language
- Costa Rican Cuisine
- Latin Music & Dance
- Indigenous Culture & Traditions
START CUSTOMIZING NOW
Our experienced staff will work side-by-side with you to ensure the safety and enrichment of participants as they experience Central America’s wildlife, rivers, beaches, volcanoes, rainforests, and unique culture.
Fill out a Custom Course Inquiry or contact our Custom Courses & Partnerships Manager directly by calling +1 800-676-2018 (toll-free) or emailing [email protected].
"This course refreshed my love for outdoor recreation and it rekindled my interest in outdoor education."
Custom Course Alum
“It’s a vacation that is mind altering, life altering, and a dream you never want to wake up from. We will never take a ‘regular vacation’ again!”
Custom Course Alum
“At night we had meetings where our instructors asked us questions. We always answered very honestly, and it usually turned into a very emotional moment. So it was emotional challenging, and we all had to be very honest about ourselves, but I think as a group we all got closer together and I feel like our class dynamic is different now. It was a special moment that I think we all appreciate.”
Custom Course Alum
“This experience is a ton of fun activities with amazing people, in an awesome country. I learned that I definitely need to take the time to go see the world.”
Custom Course Alum
"All the staff were incredibly welcoming and supportive and so enthusiastic. I'm so grateful to have had the opportunity to have this experience as an adult because I never did as a kid. I have the life experience to understand what a transformative experience this is for every participant young and old. Thank you!"
Custom Course Alum
"I learned that I can do so much more than I thought and that I definitely have things to work and improve on. I have a different outlook on life than I did before.”
Custom Course Alum
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CUSTOM COURSE FAQS
The pricing of a Custom Course is dependent upon the number of participants, type of activities and number of days on course. Once you have an idea of participant numbers, length, and dates for your course, send us an inquiry and we will give you a quote. Insurance (health and travel), personal expenses, airfare and baggage fees are not included in total cost.
Our groups usually reserve their course dates 6-9 months in advance—some even start planning 2 years prior to the course, however we can adapt to any required timeline. For summer courses, we prefer advance notice as it is our busiest time of year, but we will work with your schedule. Course deposits are due 90 days before and full tuition is due 30 days prior to course start date.
As soon as your group confirms the final itinerary and starts enrolling online, you will receive a customized Packing List. It compiles a list of fundamental gear for the activities included in your course, what OBCR provides, and items not allowed on course.
If participants will be arriving separately, it is best to try and plan flights that have similar arrival times. That way, we can arrange to pick them up together without having anyone wait around too long in the airport. That said, on Day 1 of the course, we are able to arrange ground transportation from the airport at any time of day.
If anyone is arriving before Day 1 of course, we ask that they arrange their own transportation to the airport, and we will pick them up there on the first day of the course.
Our certified and professional instructors will lead all aspects of the course. Chaperons contribute in a number of ways to ease group dynamics, enhance teaching moments, improve participant time management, and assist instructors as needed. On course, we empower all participants to lead and take responsibility by assigning them rotating tasks each day. We ask group leaders, accompanying parents and/or chaperons to understand and support our educational models. Chaperons and instructors will meet on course arrival to discuss the roles each will take on course.
Submit an Inquiry - Custom Courses