Volunteer in Costa Rica - Summer Volunteer Adventure 2008

  Costa Rica

• North Western Region: 
Arenal,  Guanacaste
• Eastern Lowlands: 
Bribri,  Puerto Viejo

Durations of Program: 1-2 weeks, 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks and 3-6 months
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: June 1st - July 26th 2008 (join us for 1-8 weeks)

Description: June and July are our busiest months of the year, especially when it comes to students. The weather is great and we have tons of fun all working together and making new friends.

Last year our group was made up of about 85% university students and 15% high school students (16-18 years old). Participants chose their own individual projects and we all got together in the afternoons and evenings to take tours together, as well as hanging out at night together.

Though it was a lot of fun, this year we really thought it would be so much more fun  and even more effective for our community projects -- if we did more things together. The feedback we received from our participants was that they would have really liked to work together as well. So that's what we're going to do!

This new concept is going to give us much more time to work and play together and will provide a bit more structure to the program. Another big plus is that we'll get to work on several different types of projects together in several areas of the country.

Here is an idea of how our schedule is shaping up for June and July so far. Please note that this schedule is subject to change. Please visit our website for a more detailed itinerary, or look at our individual project descriptions for more information on what the weeks will involve.

Week 1
June 1 - 7
Cocles (Puerto Viejo) Elementary School
We'll teach English, as well as Arts & Crafts to the kids in school in all the grades all week. See more info here.
We'll enjoy the following tours together: Kayak, Indigenous Organic Chocolate Tour, Punta Uva Beach Tour, Kekoldi Shaman Medicine Man, Surfing

Week 2
June 8 - 14
Iguana Farm
We'll all work together as a team, helping Gloria and Juanita build new cages, care for the iguanas and do some general maintenance around the iguana farm. See more info here.
We'll enjoy the following tours together: Canopy Tour, Snorkeling, Horseback Ride, ATV Tour, Manzanillo Bike Tour

Week 3
June 15 - 21
Bambu Cultural Center
Next week we'll head out to the Talamanca Indigenous Reservation to visit our super special friends there. We'll camp out together in the center, which is sort of like a tree house reminiscent of Swiss Family Robinson. We'll do lots of small, community projects there to help out these folks, while enjoying their hospitality and learning about the Bribri Culture.
We'll enjoy the following amazing tours: Panama Waterfall Tour, Organic Banana Farm Tour, Indigenous Mountain Hiking Tour (Overnight)

Week 4
June 22 - 28
Bambu Retirement Home
Taking advantage of being in the area, we'll hang out on the Reservation for another week and stay at the Bambu Cultural Center, but shift our focus on the Santa Teresa Retirement Home. They not only are in some need of love & attention, they really need some help with minor maintenance. See more info here.
We'll enjoy the following tours together: Emubri Waterfall, Bribri Shaman Medicine Man, Fishing Tour, Suretka River

Week 5
June 29 - July 5
Camaronal Sea Turtle Project
Now we say Good Bye to the Caribbean and head through the Central Valley, stopping by to see the active, lava-flowing volcano (Arenal) and do a bit of touring as we head to help out the sea turtles at one of our beautiful beaches, Playa Camaronal. Here we have many different species arriving during different parts of the year. Well protect and patrol the beaches from poachers at night, guard the eggs, help the turtles hatch and release the babies into the ocean, collect the eggs when the turtles are laying them at night, and keep the beach clean. Youll fall in love with these creatures and well have a blast at the beach. Please contact us for more information, as we dont yet have this project uploaded to our website.
This week, well enjoy the following tours together: Dolphin Watching, Kayak, Fishing and Snorkeling.

Week 6
July 6 - 12
Monte Alto Natural Reserve
After playing with the monkeys for a while, we'll head back to nature and spend some time near our office in Hojancha, Guanacaste caring for trails, orchids, helping tourists and much more in one of Costa Ricas most interesting, peaceful, but least-known national parks.
We'll enjoy the following tours together: Diria Coffee Tour, ATV / Canopy (Zip-Line) Combo Tour, Horseback Riding Tour, Tempisque River Tour

Week 7
July 13 - 19
Barra Honda National Park
You thought Monte Alto was pretty cool? It just keeps getting better! Barra Honda is made up of major system of subterranean caves. Its one of the most interesting parks we have here in Costa Rica. And, where in most parts of the world were experiencing a diminishment of wildlife, Barra Honda is finding an interesting increase in animal diversity and population. Here during the week we'll help with trail maintenance, tourist assistance, as well as many different and fun projects throughout the park. And, of course, we'll go exploring the caves! Please contact us for more information, as we don't yet have this project uploaded to our website.
We'll enjoy the following tours together: Tours of the various Caves in the Park, Other Tours TBD

Week 8
July 20 - 26
Monkey Park Animal Refuge
Last, but not least, we head to Monkey Park for the last leg of our journey. Well be planting trees, caring for animals and helping to finish a groundbreaking new test project to train monkeys not to touch dangerous electrical wires. See more info here.
This week, well enjoy the following tours together: White Water Rafting  Pacuare River, Arenal Volcano Lava Hike, Baldi Hot Springs, Cartagena Canopy (Zip-Line) Tour, Horseback riding

Highlights:
Life-changing experiences, unrestricted glimpses of the Costa Rica most visitors don't know, and a way to have a positive and lasting impact on a community are all major components of a volunteer vacation with Tropical Adventures.

Live among locals, learn from them and share talents that can make a difference in a society often forgotten. Take advantage of the Spanish immersion program to enhance communication during the project work.

The vacation is not all work; plenty of play is available as well. Build bridges, literally and figuratively, and return home fulfilling a community's hopes and feeling fulfilled.

Qualifications:
We are seeking volunteers who have the ability to impact the community in a positive way. Prospective volunteers should also have a good work ethic, a friendly attitude and be willing to immerse themselves in another culture.

The minimum age requirement is 16 years old. Students under 18 require parental permission. Please contact us for more information.

Cost in US$: Any Two-Week Period: $1,895. Extra week: $799

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: The typical volunteer at Tropical Adventures is someone who wants to experience the rich bio-diversity of Costa Rica, while learning Spanish and sharing their time, skills and love. Our volunteers like to work hard and play hard. They work well with others and enjoy submersing themselves in a different culture. Typical Summer Volunteer Adventure volunteers are college students and families.

Age Range: 16+ unless with guardian.

This Program is open to World Wide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Costa Rica Independently Or in Groups

Typically Participants Work in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Phone Interview

Post Services Include:

• Alumni Network
• Exit DebriefingAbroad

Tropical Adventures's Mission Statement: The Tropical Adventures Foundation is a resource for empowering individuals and communities inside and outside of Costa Rica. Our goals are to: Support the inherent value of the individual, reduce poverty and injustice, help communities achieve sustainable growth, create safe environments, promote international learning and cooperation and foster personal and worldwide peace. Every community around the world faces the fundamental challenge to create social and economic systems that promote peace, human welfare and the sustainability of the environment on which life depends. We meet this challenge by supporting and encouraging initiatives by those living and working closest to where the problems are located. We promote collaboration among diverse individuals, nonprofit organizations, government and businesses from the local area and around the world, as well as from every level of society. Our experience shows such activities help build common understanding, bring forward and reinforce the inherent value of the individual, strengthen a sense of local and worldwide community, and ultimately enable people to improve their lives and reinforce their commitment to society.

Year Founded: 2005