FAQs and Answers

What do I need to pack?
How big are your backpacks?
What are gaiters and do we really need them?
How much money do I send with my child?
How do I pay for the course?
How safe is Costa Rica?
Does my child need travel insurance?
Does my child need any vaccinations?
How sanitary is the water/food?
What if I take medication or have special dietary needs?
What certifications do your instructors have?
How many students are on each course?
What are the ages of the students on course?
Can I find out what my child is doing on course?
Can I contact my parents/loved ones while on course?
Do I have to know how to surf to take a surf course?
Should I bring something for the Homestay families?
What is your relationship with other Outward Bound schools?

What do I need to pack?

With the help of our course instructors, we have compiled comprehensive Packing Lists. All of our Packing Lists can be found, downloaded and printed by clicking the following link: Packing Lists

NOTE: A common misconception about Costa Rica is that it is always hot. Our Base Camp and many of the camping spots during the hiking phases of courses are almost one mile above sea level in clouded rain forests. It can get quite chilly at night. This is why we recommend a light sweater or fleece. Also, while hiking in the rain forest it will generally rain for part of the day (usually in the afternoon). A decent rain jacket with a hood is highly recommended. For more information about packing lists, visit our blog.

How big are your backpacks?

Most of our backpacks are Jansport 5000s. Some of the features of these packs include:

• 5000 cubic inch capacity


• Ergonomic S-curved shoulder straps


• Sliding harness adjustment for 16" - 20" torso lengths


• Dual side water bottle pockets


• Side compression straps keep the pack close to the body and manage the load

What are gaiters and do we really need them?

Gaiters are a protective piece of clothing, usually made of synthetic material, that fit on one’s calf, extending from the knee and attaching to one’s hiking boots. They are worn help protect boots from mud and water. They also protect one’s legs against scratches from dense grasses or low growing bushes.

If you come on course between April and December you will most likely be hiking through some mud and water, and we strongly recommend bringing a pair of gaiters with you on course. You should be able to find gaiters at most camping and sporting goods stores. Read this blog entry for more information on gaiters.

How much money do I send with my child?

The only money your child will need to bring to Costa Rica is US$26 to pay for the Exit Tax required at the airport before boarding their return flight.

Beyond that, we do sell Costa Rica Outward Bound sweatshirts for US$20. In addition, certain course groups visit downtown San Jose and can purchase souvenirs at a local market. We recommend that students bring minimal cash with them. Do not bring bills larger than US$20 because while US dollars are widely accepted in Costa Rica it is often difficult for local vendors to make large amounts of change.

As all food, lodging and transportation is provided, your child will not need to carry any cash or credit cards while on course.

All valuables – including money – will be stored in lockers on our base camp before each group of students departs on course. Valuables are returned to students the day before they finish their course.

How do I pay for the course?

There are three ways to pay for the course: Credit Card (VISA only), personal check or wire transfer. For complete payment instructions, please click the following link: Payment Information

How safe is Costa Rica?

Costa Rica is a stable, functioning democracy and generally considered to be a very safe country. Most of the existing crime tends to be opportunistic (pick-pocketing and mugging) and general occurs in the larger cities at night.

Students are never left unattended in metropolitan areas and do not carry their valuables during the course, so it is highly unlikely that any student would be a victim of a crime.

Does my child need travel insurance?

Travel insurance is not required to come to Costa Rica or to participate in a Costa Rica Outward Bound course, but it is recommended. Many insurance companies offer short-term policies to cover the specific dates of travel. Most of these policies can be purchased instantly online. In addition to medical expenses, some travel insurance policies cover expenses such as lost luggage or cancelled flights.

Does my child need any vaccinations?

Costa Rica Outward Bound’s only requirement is a Tetanus vaccination. Other than that, there are no required inoculations to enter Costa Rica; but it is a good idea to check with your physician for recommendations of optional inoculations and health precautions.

How sanitary is the water & Food?

All food and water which students access during their course is safe and clean. At our Base Camp it is safe to drink water from the tap. While on course, students are directed to safe water sources by their instructors. All food at our Base Camp is safely prepared and thoroughly cooked by our cooking staff. On course, students carry food with them and prepare it as a group under the direct supervision of their instructors.

What if I take medication or have special dietary needs?

Our staff does everything we can to ensure that students take all required medications and that all special dietary needs are met. To help us with this, it is vital that ALL MEDICATION REQUIREMENTS and DIETARY NEEDS are listed in the Medical Information section of the On-Line Enrollment Form each student fills out to register for his/her course. We request that the Enrollment Forms are submitted as early as possible to ensure instructors have all medical and dietary information so they can be prepared to assist all students with special needs. The instructors hold students’ medication for the duration of the course.

What certifications do your instructors have?

All of our instructors are certified Wilderness First Responders and have been trained in First Aid and CPR. Other certifications vary depending on the specialties of a given instructor. For a description of the various certifications our instructors have, please click on the following link: Safety

How many students are on each course?

Our standard Open Enrollment Courses are designed for a maximum of 15 students. The number of students on a Custom Course can vary depended on the needs of the group booking the course.

What are the ages of the students on course?

For our Open Enrollment Courses, the minimum age is 14. Most courses have students ranging from 14 to 20. Our Adult Courses are for students 21 and older. On Girl Scout Courses, we do accept 13-year-old students. For more information, see our blog article.

Can I find out what my child is doing on course?

Yes. While your child is on course, there are a few ways to know what he/she is doing through websites we update every few days:

• Facebook: Go to http://www.facebook.com/crrobs to see course updates, articles, links, possible photos* and possible videos*. If you become a member of Facebook AND become a fan of our CRROBS fan page, you can make comments and ask questions on this page. We respond during office hours.


• Twitter: Go to http://www.twitter.com/croutwardbound to see short updates.


• Our Blog: Sometimes we write small articles about our current courses and/or their activities; we post them on our blog at http://crrobs.blogspot.com

REMEMBER: No news is good news! The only reason we contact parents/guardians directly would be to tell or ask you important information about their student. This is rare. Of course, if you have any questions you can email or call our office.

*We can only acquire photos and videos from the students when they are back on base – which is generally at the very beginning and end of a course. We have no way of getting photographs or videos while students are off base on their courses. Keep checking our websites for updates, and please be patient.

Can I contact my parents/Loved ones while on course?

Phone Calls: Part of the Outward Bound philosophy is empowering students to be comfortable with themselves in the face of new challenges and new environments. Therefore, we do not encourage that they contact their families while on course – but rather that they maximize their time with us and have that much more to share upon their return home.

We understand that the Outward Bound experience is often as great challenge for parents as it is for our students – especially if it is the student’s first time away from home.

We encourage parents to take a “No news is good news” approach to their child’s Outward Bound experience.

Of course, in the unlikely event of an emergency on course – or in the event that a family emergency warrants contacting a student – our Communication Office will connect a student with their parents as soon as possible via phone.

Please note that most mobile phones will not work on the Costa Rican cellular network and that mobile phones are not permitted on course. They are storied on our Base Camp in a locker and returned to students the day before the leave Costa Rica.

E-Mail: On courses that are fewer than 30 days, students generally spend only the first and last day at our Base Camp and will not have access to the Internet during the rest of their course. Students on our shorter courses should not expect to be able to send or receive e-mails.

Students on our Semester Courses (60-85 days) will have a number of “transition days” during which they will be back at out Base Camp to do laundry and re-equip for the next phases of your course. On such days it will be possible for them to send and receive e-mail. As weather and water conditions can alter the day-to-day itineraries of our courses, we cannot provide an exact listing of when transition days will occur.

Letters and Packages: Letters and packages can take up to a month to reach our base in Costa Rica. Unless the student is enrolled in one of our semester courses (60-85 days), we recommend that you do not post letters or packages. As our postal address in Costa Rica is a PO Box, letters and packages sent by courier or certified mail will not be accepted. See Postal Addresses for specific addresses.

Do I have to know how to surf to take a surf course?

No. We welcome ALL levels of surfers into our courses – even if you’ve never been on a surfboard in your life.

Should I bring something for the Homestay families?

Bringing something for the homestay families is both welcome and culturally acceptable, but not necessary. Keep in mind that the student is responsible for bringing these gifts to the families. If you would like to bring something for the families, we suggest one or more of the following items:

School Supplies: books (in English or Spanish)
Colored markers
Soccer Balls
Candy
DVDs

Our homestay families live in some of the most remote parts of Costa Rica. Students generally hike about three days before arriving. If you would like to personally bring something to the families, please keep in mind that you will be taking it in your backpack.

If you do wish to bring larger or heavier items to Costa Rica for the homestay families, we can arrange to have the items delivered – but delivery may occur after you are on course.

What is your relationship with other Outward Bound schools?

All Outward Bound Schools worldwide receive their charters via an umbrella organization called Outward Bound International. OBI is governed by a council made up of representatives from each licensed member school.

The internal vision of Outward Bound International is:

To promote and protect the good name of Outward Bound throughout the world, and to assist in the establishment, development and support of Outward Bound Centers able to provide safe, high quality programs that fulfill the Mission of Outward Bound.

OBI's strategies to achieve this mission are:

• By managing risk management processes of the Outward Bound centers.


• By providing protection of the Outward Bound trademark and reputation.


• By helping Outward Bound centers to be successful.


• By improving collaboration between Outward Bound centers.


• By establishing adequate, ongoing funding for OBI

For more information, visit the OBI website at www.outwardbound.net.