The Costa Rica Service Challenge course provides you an exciting opportunity to experience a new culture through service projects and adventure activities. While on course, you will work to improve the lives of Costa Rica’s rural, indigenous peoples and to protect the unique and fragile ecosystems of this beautiful country. Meet other girl scouts, expand your cultural awareness and leave Costa Rica better than you found it.

Description

During your 14-day Service Challenge, you will participate in two sets of service projects. One project will take place in the indigenous region of Talamanca. While staying in a remote village, you will work with your group to support the local community. Projects may include food distribution, garden building, painting, teaching English, building aqueducts and recycling projects. Learn about native customs, culture, language and food while making an active contribution to the community.

The other service project will allow you to learn about and protect Costa Rica’s beautiful and interesting ecosystems while working on a sea turtle conservation project on the Pacific coast. 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. You will learn about Costa Rica’s exotic wildlife and ecosystems and may participate in additional service projects such as beach clean-ups and/or trail preservations.

When you are not engaged in service projects, other activities may include braving rapids on a whitewater rafting adventure, ziplining on a canopy tour, surfing, visiting a local volcano, or soaking in the vibrant culture of Costa Rica’s capital city, San Jose, with a visit to an artisan market.

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 and meetings about leadership. You will explore how the challenges you meet in and out of the Central American wilderness help you confront other challenges that life presents.

Details

Dates:

Session 1: 6/22 – 7/6

Session 2: 7/6 – 7/20

Girl Scout Profile:

• Must be 13–18 years old at the time of the course
• Interest in community service and cultural exchange
• Ready for a physical fitness challenge
• Spanish language skills and interest very useful
• Intermediate-level swimmer who is comfortable in the water
• A good team player
• Beginners 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.