We’re always proud to hear about our Outward Bound Costa Rica alumni and their amazing accomplishments. This month, we get a look at how one of our Girl Scout Destinations participants has changed since her course with us.
Name: Brooke Smith
Hometown: Austin, Texas
Year in school/Occupation: Freshman in High School
Course attended with OBCR: Catching Waves (2015)
FAVORITE MEMORY FROM COURSE
“My favorite memory would have to be the days my group and I visited a local school. We got to bond as a group while painting one of the buildings. The next days we came back and celebrated Guanacaste Day with the children. The kids were so sweet to us, and made us all feel very welcome. Even though all of the other girls and I did not speak fluent Spanish we all found a way to communicate with the locals. The same day most of the guys and my group played a soccer game and, even though we lost very badly, it is still my favorite part of the trip.”
MOST VALUABLE LESSON LEARNED ON COURSE
“I learned to be open minded and try new things. During the whole trip I was trying new things from eating foods I had not thought about eating, to repelling. I never would have had the amazing trip I had unless I had never taken a chance. For example, telling random people on the beach that I loved them, or making dog forts out of stuff on the beach.”
HOW HAS YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH OUTWARD BOUND COSTA RICA HAD AN IMPACT ON YOUR FUTURE?
“Outward Bound had opened my eyes up to the world in so many different ways. Before I had gone on my course I was set on my future. I had been planning to go to some college and graduate with some diploma just to get a desk job somewhere in a big building. Now I see that a job can be so much more than just some office job. Outward bound left a mark on my life and it will always motivate me to live a life full of no regrets and just to put my all in everything I do.”
WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR FUTURE PARTICIPANTS OF THIS COURSE?
“My advice for incoming student is to be yourself and not be afraid to try something new. It might be scary coming out of your shell but don’t be afraid to show all your councilors and other campers who you really are. It anything seems terrifying at first don’t be afraid to voice it because everyone is afraid of something. If considering Outward Bound, all I have to say is DO IT! You will definitely not regret it.”
Want to have your own Costa Rican adventure just like Brooke? Applications are now open for our 2016 Girl Scout Destinations. If you’re not a Girl Scout, join us on one of our Summer Expeditions, including our 18+ Summer Expeditions in Costa Rica and Panama.
Participants of our Alumni Ambassador program help spread the word about their life changing experiences on course. If you would like to join the team and be a featured alumnus on our blog, start by filling out our Alumni Ambassador form.