Do you love swimming at the beach in the pounding ocean? Or do you prefer to the tranquility of a lake? Either way, you might be interested in earning your Waterfront Lifeguarding certification, just one of the internationally recognized certifications offered on our Outdoor Leader Semester and our River to Sea Leadership Semester. Keep reading to see what this certification […]
Our Outdoor Leader Semester students recently completed their Whitewater Rescue Technician training on the Pacuare River. During this phase of their course, the students explored the rivers of Costa Rica while learning and practicing techniques such as safely swimming through rapids, reading whitewater, swiftwater rescue, self-rescue and personal safety. “The river was our first sense of […]
We’re always proud to hear about our Outward Bound Costa Rica alumni and their amazing accomplishments. Participants of our Alumni Ambassador program help spread the word about their life-changing experiences on course. If you would like to join the team and be a featured alumnus on our blog, start by filling out our Alumni Ambassador […]
Our Outdoor Leader Semester students have been in Costa Rica for more than a week, completing Wilderness First Responder training on our rainforest base. During their rigorous training, the group learned skills such as First Aid and CPR, practiced rescue scenarios in the wilderness, and studied for a technical exam. “I learned almost as much about myself […]
Whether you’re hiking through the remote rainforest, scuba diving coral reefs, or learning to surf in warm water breaks, our Outward Bound Costa Rica Summer Expeditions are packed with adrenaline-pumping fun. But fun aside, there are numerous educational and cognitive benefits of participating in an international education summer program abroad. Let’s take a look at […]
Yesterday our Spring 2015 Outdoor Leader Semester students arrived at base to start their 65-day adventure in Costa Rica and Panama. Nine students are joining us from California, Colorado, Idaho, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Vermont, Washington and Canada. “I have always been very physical, and I love the outdoors… so Outward Bound [Costa Rica] was a natural […]
Every year Girl Scouts travel to Costa Rica to participate in service adventures. This December, Girl Scout troop 5644 from Virginia joined us in Costa Rica for a customized Group Program. During their eight-day course, the girls made a difference in local communities while participating in culturally-rich service projects working with the indigenous Cabecar population in […]
One of the most basic certifications that we require for all instructors at Outward Bound is the First Aid, CPR and AED certification. This is one of the seven internationally recognized certifications that participants on our Outdoor Leader Semester course earn. This certification is also featured on some of our Gap Year & Semester programs as well as […]
This past week, 25 Girl Scouts joined us in Costa Rica for our Venture & Volunteer Girl Scout Destinations program. During their time in the land of ‘Pura Vida,’ the Girl Scouts worked alongside community members in the culturally rich region of Talamanca to repair a local school and complete other service projects. “I enjoyed […]
This week marked the beginning of our first summer enrollment scuba diving course as the students made their way to the beautiful islands of Bocas Del Toro, Panama. The students had many activities to look forward to in Panama including viewing the intricate coral reefs and wide variety of sea animals, an official NAUI Dive certification, […]
When most people think of COSTA RICA OUTWARD BOUND, they think of surfing; waterfall rappelling; trekking volcanoes; sea kayaking; camping in the jungle; sailing; white water rafting; SCUBA diving; zip-wire flying; and other outdoor adventure sports. But what few may not know is that two core values of COSTA RICA OUTWARD BOUND are community service […]
Waterfall rappelling is easily one of the most photographed activities we have here at Outward Bound Costa Rica. When editors of local newspapers decide to publish something about one of our alumni in their “Hometown Heroes” sections, they will inevitably choose the photo of the student waterfall rappelling over any others we submit. This activity mixes […]
“I love the feeling of soaring through the air.” -2010 student For some, it’s exhilarating. For others, it’s their worst fear. Both of these types of people would agree: it’s the best way to see the upper canopies of the rainforest. It’s zip-lining. Regardless of how you feel ascending that mountain, gear in hand, […]
Most of you have alumni done this hike into the remote village of Piedras Blancas. You remember it, right? The one up into the upper canopies where you camped, then down to Orlando’s homestay, then the Lopez’s homestay (where you inevitably milked a cow or squeezed some sugar cane), then up to Rancho Tinamu singing […]
It’s hard to believe that a Outward Bound Costa Rica course is the first time some students have ever cleaned, cooked, or led a group. But it’s true. Students who come on course have at least one role per day, and these are rotated to different students each day. In some cases, with smaller groups, […]