Our first Girl Scout Destinations participants arrived to our rainforest base this past weekend and have already begun exploring Costa Rica and Panama. Read on to see what exciting adventures these Girl Scouts have been up to.
Scuba and Sea Turtle Adventure #1
The nine Girl Scouts on Scuba and Sea Turtle Adventure #1 traveled to Panama this past Sunday. They took a boat ride through the San San Pond Sak wetlands on the Caribbean coast. In the protected wetlands, the Girl Scouts learned about the local leatherback sea turtle population in preparation for service projects that help them.
On their first night in Panama, the group got to witness a six-foot adult turtle lay her eggs on the beach.
The group worked with local conservationists to build cages to protect the nests in the hatchery, exhume unhatched eggs for analysis, collect measurements and data on the baby turtles and the eggs, and patrol the beach at night for adult turtles and poachers. The girls released baby turtles that hatched in the hatchery into the ocean twice, once during the night and once during the daytime.
On their last day in San San Pond Sak, the group visited a pineapple plantation nearby and learned more about the environment and plant life. They got to sample fresh pineapple and sugar cane.
The group is currently in Bocas del Toro for the second phase of their course where they will learn to scuba dive.
Costa Rica & Panama Service Challenge #1
The nine Girl Scouts on Costa Rica & Panama Service Challenge #1 began their adventure in Costa Rica by hiking on our rainforest base and learning about the water filtration plants in the unique ecosystem.
On Monday the group headed to an indigenous village in the Talamanca region where they have been participating in service projects to give back to the local Bri-Bri indigenous population. The girls built a sidewalk and refurbished desks at an Elementary school.
The girls have been having a great time getting to know each other and playing soccer with the local children in the village. They wished their dads a Happy Father’s Day on Sunday.
The group will spend a few more days working on service projects in Talamanca before traveling to the San San Pond Sak wetlands in Panama to work on sea turtle conservation projects.
Catching Waves #1
The six Girl Scouts on Catching Waves #1 spent their first day in Costa Rica exploring the jungle from high up above on a zipline canopy tour of the rainforest. The girls bonded while taking in the treetop views.
The girls then traveled to Playa Avellanas, a beach in Guanacaste where they are learning to surf. All the girls in the group stood up on their boards on their first day of surfing.
The group visited the local elementary school and painted a classroom. They also played soccer with the students and are sorry to report that the children defeated them in all the soccer games.
The girls are loving the beach and getting to know one another. They will continue to give back to the local community with service projects and improve their surf skills during the next two days.
Be sure to check back next Thursday for our next Girl Scout Destinations update!