We’re thrilled to have FIVE new groups join us this week! Our students and instructors set off to different parts of Costa Rica and Panama and have been scuba diving, surfing, hiking, releasing baby sea turtles, wakeboarding, and more. Check out what each group has been doing below!
Summer Courses 14-18
Caribbean Scuba and Service (Session #1)
Excited to start their journey in Panama, our Caribbean Scuba & Service group headed out to cross the border bright and early on Sunday morning. They arrived at their host family’s home on Isla Solarte to relax and cook dinner before “diving into” the next leg of their adventure on Monday! This week, the students have been learning about diving from Outward Bound Costa Rica’s Executive Director Jim Rowe, who has been a scuba instructor for over 25 years. They’ve been taking their skills to the water and exploring coral reefs, sunken catamarans and shipwrecks. And, drumroll please … we just got news this morning that they all passed their tests and are open water certified!
Surf, Service & CPR (Session #1)
Our Surf, Service and CPR group also had an early wake up call on Sunday, but they headed for the Pacific Coast! They set up camp on the beach and have been spending their time this week learning the ins and outs of surfing from instructors Flor and Carlos. Carlos is a surf master and we’re lucky to have him lead many of our surf programs here at Outward Bound Costa Rica. Before hitting the waves to practice, the students learned the basics of board selection, beach safety, paddling, and standing up. At the end of this week they will begin their First Aid & CPR/AED training.
Service, Hike & Homestay (Session #1)
On Sunday, the Service, Hike and Homestay students had the opportunity to explore a little bit of our rainforest base. They helped out with trail maintenance and reforestation projects in our dense rainforest reserve. After resting up, they began their trek through the country on Monday. The group has been having a blast learning about plant and animal life and Costa Rican culture by day and sleeping under the stars at camp by night. Tonight they will be arriving at their first homestay!
Girl Scout Destinations
Service Challenge (Session #1)
After leaving Talamanca, the girls on the Service Challenge course traveled into Panama to work on sea turtle conservation projects in San San Pond Sak. They helped protect the Leatherback and Hawksbill sea turtle populations by cataloging nests, releasing newly hatched baby turtles, and going on nightly patrols. On their trip back to Costa Rica, the group got to experience a traditional lunch in Cahuita National Park. They returned to base yesterday and have fun-filled days of whitewater rafting, ziplining, and exploring San José ahead of them!
Scuba and Sea Turtle Adventure (Session #1)
Our Scuba and Sea Turtle Adventure group has been living it up in Isla Solarte, spotting sloths on a rainforest canopy tour, doing service projects to assist with community development, and learning how to scuba dive and wakeboard! They got to explore the caves of Bahía Honda, a bay along the southern side of Bastimentos Island in Bocas del Toro. Currently, the girls are participating in special dives like a compass navigation dive and deep dive. They’re so close to completing their certification and will then celebrate with a bioluminescent night dive! We can’t wait to hear all about their adventures when they get back to base.
Join us on a Summer Course!
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