Here is another Girl Scout Destination programs update! Join us every Wednesday to stay up to date with the latest Girl Scout news and also check us out on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram for more updates. Pura Vida!
Service Challenge #1
Today, the girls are testing out their teamwork skills as they raft down the jungle lined rapids of the Sarapiqui river. In their final days in the indigenous BriBri village the girls learned about traditional chocolate harvesting and got to taste the process, all the way from raw cacao seeds to a finished – and delicious – chocolate bar. Their service project included painting the outside of a primary school in the area that serves 160 students and had not been painted or maintained since it’s original construction…12 years ago! The students work did not go unrecognized as the children’s parents painted alongside the girls and the community celebrated “El Dia de Alegria.” For the last few days, students have been discovering more Costa Rican history by touring the old capital city of Cartago and visiting the cathedral that still serves as the site for the annual pilgrimage of Ticos from all over the country. They were able to see the beautiful scenery of the Orosi valley as they drove through the mountains where they would began their hike to the viewpoint to peer into the crater of the Irazu volcano. On their visit to San Jose’s artisan market the girls were given a chance to practice their Spanish and barter for traditionally made coconut bowls, hand made jewelry, and bamboo flutes, among many other things.
Scuba & Sea Turtle Adventure #1
This week in Panama the Scuba & Sea Turtle group is exploring Panama, above and below the water! On shore, the girls helped with sea turtle conservation and loved getting to learn about and get hands-on experience helping out these amazing and endangered animals. In the water, the girls adapted quickly to the warm, clear waters and picked up their beginning snorkel and scuba skills until they felt comfortable going to depths. Last week the girls learned a lesson on the diverse coral reefs in preparation for their upcoming dive training and this week they are putting that lesson to the test. In addition their instructors Liz and Donna, our Executive Director and founder, Jim Rowe, is in Panama with them helping the girls work for their Scuba Certification. In these last days the girls are experiencing a series of dives, including one to a sunken ship and – depending on conditions – a once in a lifetime evening dive in bio-luminescent water, where the girls will literally see the ocean light up in their wake! They will also be working more with the local community, trying their hand at wake boarding, and more!
Catching Waves #1
Early yesterday morning we said goodbye to our Catching Waves girls, but before they left we got them reminiscing over their final days of surfing, service projects, whitewater rafting, and trip to the artisan market. The first service project the girls participated in was painting a local school, this gave them a better look and understanding into local Tico culture. When instructor Carlos heard that a local conservation group would be releasing baby sea turtles the group was thrilled to join in for another day of service. To round up their explorations the girls took a trip to the local artisan market where they saw hand crafted bowls made from coconuts, bamboo flutes, hand made jewelry, woven hammocks, and so much more.
