Rainforest Hike & Homestay #3

The 12 students on Rainforest Hike & Homestay session #3 completed their course on Saturday. After two weeks exploring the jungles, beaches, and rivers of Costa Rica and experiencing “pura vida,” the students are walking away with a powerful experience where they pushed their limits, worked as a team, and had a lot of fun with new friends.

“It was an intense but worthwhile journey that uncovered parts of myself I didn’t know existed,” said Allie R. from Wausau, Wisconsin.

“I was much less confident in myself before this course,” agreed Hannah F. from Bethany, Connecticut. “I’ve learned to appreciate what I have.”

For many students, including Ethan S. of Newton, Massachussets, hiking to homestays with local families was the course highlight.

“The hike was physically and mentally challenging yet also exciting,” Ethan said. “I always wanted to come to Costa Rica.”

“All of the homestays were awesome because they showed us more about the cultures of the area,” agreed Nina P. of Berkeley, California.

Caribbean Scuba & Service #2

This summer’s second Caribbean Scuba & Service course wrapped up this Saturday. All students are now NAUI scuba certified after a week diving in the beautiful warm waters of the Bocas del Toro Archipelago in Panama. They also wakeboarded, sea kayaked, and enjoyed a lot of time getting to know each other as a group.

Mo G. of Orlando, Florida described the course as “inspirational, memorable and life-changing.”

Learning to scuba dive was a course highlight for many students.

“The scuba course was one of the best learning experiences in one of the most beautiful environments possible,” said Lucas S. from Los Angeles, California.

“Scuba was awesome,” agreed Chelsea S. from Short Hills, New Jersey. “Jim is a great instructor.”

On the course the students pushed their limits and learned leadership skills.

“I’m a lot more accepting of other people now then I was when I came here,” said Joseph B. of Fryeburg, Maine.

“There were important lessons learned every day,” said Sienna R. from Ventura, California.

Rainforest Hike & Homestay #4

Our Rainforest Hike & Homestay #4 students arrived to our rainforest base this past weekend and have begun exploring Costa Rica. Yesterday they learned team work and perserverance while rafting the whitewater rapids of the Sarapiqui River. Today the students are exploring Costa Rica’s capital San Jose with a visit to a local Artisan Market.

Tomorrow the students will begin their trek to Piedras Blancas, a local community where they will stay with families on homestays. The journey covers nearly 25 miles of rugged, backcountry terrain and gives students the opportunity to truly discover the geography and biodiversity of this beautiful country.

Caribbean Scuba & Service #3

Twelve students began their expedition to Panama on Caribbean Scuba & Service #3 this past Saturday. The students will work with local conservationists in San San Pond Pak Wetlands to aid with sea turtle conservation efforts. The students will build habitats and perform sea turtle patrols to help protect this troubled turtle population.

The students will also explore Panama under the sea as they learn to scuba dive while earning their NAUI Scuba Certification.

Pacific Surf & Cert #2

Six students are continuing their summer expeditions from either the Rainforest Hike & Homestay or Caribbean Scuba & Service courses. They left Saturday morning for Avellanas beach on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. This next week they will be camping on the beach, practicing catching waves every day, and earning first-aid and CPR training.