Our programs, including Semester and Summer programs, give the opportunity to our students to earn internationally-recognized certifications. But why is this important? We’ve come up with the five most important reasons why you should consider earning your outdoor certifications, whether or not you want to be an outdoor professional: 1. Safety For you and others: going […]
Coast to Coast Semester Our Coast to Coast students have officially started their Costa Rica hiking phase: they will be hiking from the Caribbean Coast to the Pacific Coast over 26 days! After surfing, rafting and service projects in Nicaragua, the group is ready to embark on the cross-country hiking expedition that will be the cornerstone […]
There’s a lot you can learn from a river. From deep life lessons on how to choose the “correct” path, to technical skills for mastering whitewater rapids and further understanding your potential as a leader, students come off the river phases of our courses with greater appreciation for their group, themselves, and the river. Who […]
Every summer, Outward Bound Costa Rica welcomes several new staff members to assist during our high season on and off course. We are thrilled to have such a talented group of young interns joining the team in the field as Instructor Interns! ¡Bienvenidos a todos! FIELD INSTRUCTOR INTERNS Alumni of our Outdoor Leader Semester (OLS) who best exemplify what […]
Our Outdoor Leader Semester students just finished completing their Whitewater Rescue Technician training on the Pacuare River. Learning and practicing techniques such as swiftwater resue, self-rescue and reading whitewater while exploring thrilling rapids was a highlight for many of the students. “It was really fun to swim some rapids and learning to rescue,” said Connor H., from […]
Yesterday our 2016 Spring Leadership Semester Students arrived at our rainforest base in San Ramon de Tres Rios to start their 70-day adventure in Costa Rica and Panama. Seven students are joining us from across the United States to learn about the philosophy of Outward Bound as they challenge themselves with adventure activities and earn seven internationally recognized […]
It’s like a whole other world down there! This is a common exclamation of wonder that we hear from students who have just returned from the scuba diving phase of their course with Outward Bound Costa Rica. With their Scuba diving gear securely in place, students transform into explorers of the deep as they discover the […]
Ilia Corella Hometown: Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands OLS Spring 2015 Alum Ilia transitioned from student to instructor with the Outdoor Leader Semester after completing her course in Spring 2015 and then working as an Outward Bound Costa Rica Field Instructor Intern during the summer season. She couldn’t wait to work as an intern on all of the Scuba & Sea Turtle Adventure Girl […]
Gap Years are more popular than ever, but with increasing popularity the options have become more varied—making it more difficult to decide what you will actually be doing with your Gap Year. Is it better to find an internship? Travel? Volunteer? What you do with your Gap Year is a crucial choice, so we’ve compiled for […]
Pacific Surf & Cert Extension #1 The seven students on the first Pacific Surf & Cert Extension course finished their week-long surf intensive this past Saturday. After surfing and working on their first-aid and CPR certifications every day, they will be leaving us with enhanced surf and safety skills, along with new friends and memories. Many […]
Costa Rica’s Pacific coast is a world-renowned surf destination for many reasons. Whether you are looking to hone your skills with a challenging new break or have never even touched a surfboard before, when you surf with Outward Bound Costa Rica you will discover why Costa Rica is so famous for this popular pastime. Here are seven reasons […]
This weekend we bade a bittersweet farewell to our latest group of Outdoor Leader Semester Students. Nine students from across the United States and Canada joined us in Costa Rica and Panama for a 65-day course. They trained in seven internationally-recognized outdoor certifications and learned to become leaders while participating in challenging, outdoor activities. We […]
Our Outdoor Leader Semester students have reached the final week of their 65-day course with us in Costa Rica and Panama. Last week, the students returned from a ten-day hike through Central Costa Rica, trekking through rainforest landscapes to homestays with local families in the remote village of Piedras Blancas. “It’s the side of Costa […]
Our Outdoor Leader Semester students are more than halfway through their 65-day adventure in Costa Rica. The group recently spent a week in Bocas del Toro, Panama, learning how to scuba dive and completing lifeguard training. We are happy to share that all nine students passed the practical and written exam and are now scuba […]
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 […]