Girl Scout Alumna, Samantha Kenney, shares her story of a trip of a lifetime with Outward Bound Costa Rica’s Service Challenge.
I dodge left. I dodge right. Finally, I make it out of the way and start running to safety with grass underneath my feet and the smell of fresh air surrounding me. Then, out of nowhere, BAM! Mia smothers me with bubbles and I’m the new ‘Bubble Monster’. To elaborate, we were cleaning the decks after we got paint on our clothes during our service project and we decided to have a little break. Little did I know, it would result in me being covered in bubbles! Outward Bound Costa Rica’s Service Challenge is filled with fun at every corner. I mean, we turned scrubbing the floor into a fully-fledged game and this wasn’t the only time! Throughout the program, there wasn’t a single moment when I wasn’t laughing my head off, talking with friends, and just having the time of my life.
When you partake on this journey, you’ll learn so many new things about yourself. For instance, I learnt that I loved to be a leader and I got to fulfill that passion almost every single day. The program taught me specifically how to use my skills for good and how to command a team of hilarious teenage girls for a day! If that wasn’t good enough, I also learned how to make one of the most delicious cuisines ever: Empanadas. Boy were they good.
Another great aspect of the program was helping to protect an endangered species. Taking care of sea turtles and guiding them to the ocean was a breathtaking experience. Imagine your friends come running towards you and telling you to follow them right away. It’s 11pm, so you’re a little groggy, but you don’t hesitate. You get your head lamp and follow everyone to the ocean. When you get there, you discover that some baby sea turtles have hatched and your heart is filled with joy! You help everyone out and you slowly guide the babies to the ocean one by one.
This was my experience and it was AMAZING. Holding the little sea turtles in your arms just fills your heart with exhilaration every time. I will never in a million years forget this trip and I truly believe that if you love sea turtles, or helping any animal, you should sign up right away.
While helping sea turtles was definitely one of my favorite parts, there were so many other ‘once-in-a lifetime’ highlights. For instance, you can see a manatee up close with its cute little nose, canoe up and down peaceful rivers, or just chill in a hammock listening to the sounds of nature around you. This program will allow you to learn many new things you’ve never dreamed of and you’ll discover an incredible personal strength that you didn’t know was inside you the whole time. Even if you just love to dance with friends, try amazing new cuisine, sing at the top of your lungs, and experience true Costa Rican culture, then this program has been calling your name since day one! So, what are you waiting for? Go on your own life journey through Costa Rica and Panama to discover the true you!
¡Pura Vida!
Samantha Kenney, Girl Scouts Overseas