Travel to Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast, home to some of the world’s most famous surfing beaches with Catching Waves! You will have the opportunity to learn how to surf or improve your existing surfing skills along beautiful, white and black sand beaches. Meet girl scouts from all over the U.S., experience a variety of water and beach-based activities, and learn about surf dynamics and philosophy, coastal ecology and environmental conservation.

Description

Catching Waves is the surf adventure of a lifetime! Experience a variety of water and beach-based activities against the backdrop of Costa Rica’s tropical beauty during this 10-day course. Learn about surf dynamics and philosophy, coastal ecology, and environmental conservation. Travel to Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast, home to some of the world’s most famous surfing beaches.

Instructors will provide detailed and holistic instruction about how to read waves, tides and currents. They supply group and personal instruction on surfing–from the basics of standing up on a board to catching waves. When not surfing, you will participate in fun beach activities such as playing volleyball, soccer, yoga and jewelry making.

Participate in a service project to protect endangered sea turtles while spending quality time bonding with other girls and your instructors. Learn about this endangered species while you help with conservation efforts through activities such as nightly patrols, cataloging nests, habitat creation, and (hopefully!) releasing newly hatched baby turtles into the wild.

No Outward Bound Costa Rica course is complete without adventure! You will spend an exhilarating day whitewater rafting, take part in a zipline canopy tour and visit an artisan market in Costa Rica’s vibrant capital, San Jose.

Girl scouts will be exposed to Outward Bound Costa Rica’s unique approach to outdoor education and personal development. Woven into all activities are discussions about leadership. You will explore how meeting the challenges of the Costa Rican waves can help you confront other challenges that life presents.

Details

Dates:

Session 1: 6/22 – 7/2

Session 2: 7/20 – 7/30

Girl Scout Profile

• Must be 13–18 years old at the time of the course
• Prepared for a physical challenge
• Sincere interest in surfing
• Ability to swim at an advanced level
• Good team player
• Strong physical stamina and core/upper body strength or the willingness to train physically for the challenge of surfing
• Beginner surfers welcome!

Requirements

This course is open only to current members of Girl Scouts of the USA. Tetanus vaccination and valid passport required before arrival.

Accommodations and Equipment

Outward Bound Costa Rica provides all meals, safety gear and camping equipment. Students will be provided a detailed packing list for clothing, toiletries and personal gear. All students are asked to bring personal spending money, as souvenirs and incidental expenses are the responsibility of the student. Please see the packing list for information regarding items not allowed on course.

Students will be camping or staying as a group in student dorms (bedding provided).

Surfboards

Surfboards are provided, but you may bring your own if you would like.

Transportation

Airfare to and from San Jose, Costa Rica is not included in course tuition. All international travelers are required to pay a US$28 exit tax prior to departure; this is the responsibility of the student.

All students are met at the airport by Outward Bound Costa Rica and transported to our main base facility outside of San Jose. Outward Bound Costa Rica provides all transportation throughout the duration of the course, including transfer to Juan Santamaria International Airport on the final day of course. Airport regulations do not allow us to accompany students into the airport unless they travel as an Unaccompanied Minor (a paid service provided by each airline).

Safety

Because safety is paramount, all itineraries may change on account of weather and water conditions. All of our instructors have internationally recognized safety certifications relevant to their specialties. A minimum of two instructors accompany groups at all times.

Enrollment Instructions

To participate, girl scouts must complete the following steps:

1. Download and fill out the Girl Scouts Destinations application and reference forms. Submit your completed application to your girl scouts council. Specify which session(s) you are applying for when filling out your application. If you are applying for more than one destination with Outward Bound Costa Rica, please rank your preferences (1 being your top choice). You will only be accepted to one summer destination with Outward Bound Costa Rica.

For early applications (deadline: December 1, 2012): All acceptance notices will be emailed by January 16, 2013. Due to the volume of applications we receive, we will be unable to answer any questions related to your acceptance status before this date. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Late applicants welcome on a space available basis! Ask your council contact to fax or email your application to ensure its timely arrival.

2. If accepted, follow the instructions in your acceptance email to reserve your place on course. You will be asked to complete a detailed enrollment form as well as submit a $200 USD nonrefundable deposit towards the full course tuition. Deposits can be paid with a Visa credit card, wire transfer or by personal check. Please see our Payment Information page for more details.

Note: Deposits for early application acceptances are due no later than February 1, 2013.

For questions, please see our Enrollment Process page or Contact us at any time.