Catching Waves #2

During their last few days on the beach in Playa Avellanas, the Catching Waves #2 Girl Scouts focused on mastering their surfing skills.

“I came here just wanting to know how to surf and I am leaving with the desire to make the most out of my life,” said Tien V. from Pewaukee, Wisconsin.

Spending time with the children of Avellanas while working on service projects in the community was the highlight of the course for many of the girls, including Michaela F. from Chicago, Illinois.

“Being a part of their community with food, games and music was so lively, it was great to witness,” she said.

Upon their return to our rainforest base, the Girl Scouts headed to the Pejibaye river for whitewater rafting where they worked as a team to ease their way down the river. The Girl Scouts headed home on Tuesday.

“My eyes have been opened to the world and I am more in tune with nature,” said Ellie G. from Salt Lake City, Utah.

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Scuba & Sea Turtle Adventure #3

Following a week of service working with the local sea turtle population, this week the Scuba & Sea Turtle Adventure #3 Girl Scouts started their scuba phase of their trip in Bocas del Toro, Panama.

The girls are working towards getting NAUI scuba certified by the end of the course. Earlier this week the group had their first session in confined water where they learned the basics: regulator retrieval and mask clearing. They are practicing these skills at depth to prepare for their final test.

“It’s a whole other world under the water down there,” said one Girl Scout. “It’s amazing and beautiful and words can’t even begin to describe how amazing it is down there…all the different colors, corals and fish.”

The Girl Scouts shared that they love their campsite in Solarte because it is right on the water and they get an amazing view while tanning.

With only two days left on course, the Girl Scouts are reflecting on their experience thus far, “I want to take back the culture because it really is an important part of why we came,” said a Girl Scout.

“It wasn’t just to come and scuba or just to learn about sea turtles. It was to meet new people, experience a new culture, experience diversity.”

Rainforest, River, & Reef #2

The Rainforest, River, & Reef #2 group is back from their rainforest expedition to Piedras Blancas. On their trek, some of their highlights include rappelling a waterfall and learning how to make sugar candy from scratch.

They successfully made it to the beach in Manuel Antonio National Park where they enjoyed swimming, body surfing and boogie boarding.

This Girl Scouts left early this morning for the Pejibaye river where they learned how to navigate the currents while whitewater rafting.

Before heading back home, the girls will get one last view of Costa Rica on a canopy zipline tour and city tour of San José.

Check back next Thursday for our next Girl Scout Destinations update!