Costa Rica Rainforest Service Adventure by 360° Student Travel

  Costa Rica

• San Jose: 
San Jose

Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: June 28 - July 18

Description: This amazing program offers the perfect combination of adventure, 'Costa Rica style', and community service. Meet new friends amongst the children of San Gerardo and help remodel their school. Partake in a cultural exchange program with the children of a San Isidro orphanage and run a day camp program consisting of music, art and sports. Teach English and learn Spanish with local students in the beachside town of Uvita. Hike through lush rainforests and dare to zip above the tree line. Surf the Pacific Ocean. By your summer's end you will have earned 60 hours of community service. Get ready for the summer of a lifetime!

Highlights:
Community Service:
    * Meet the children of the Patronato orphanage
    * Help remodel a school in San Gerardo
    * Teach English and learn Spanish in Uvita

Adventure:
    * Rappel down a waterfall
    * Zip through the cloud forest
    * Learn to Surf
    * Whitewater raft the Naranjo River
    * Snorkel & Kayak

Amazing Details

* Rainforest Adventure Center
Welcome to the real Costa Rica! After a one-night orientation, travel by four wheel drive vehicle to the village of El Brujo where we begin our exhilarating hike to the beautiful and rustic Rainforest Adventure Center. This amazing trek will take you wading through the Division River, across a suspension bridge past scenic waterfalls, gazing at Birds of Paradise, guava trees and teak plantations, and all while listening to the amazing sounds of toucans and other unique wildlife in the distance.

Once you cross the gondola to the Center you will be greeted by the Fonseca family, our host for three amazing days. Embark on a medicinal plant walk and partake in a traditional spiritual ceremony with Alvino Fonseca, a trained Shaman of the Cabacar tribe. Rappel down a 60-foot waterfall, make your own chocolate from Cacao seeds, and ride the zip-line over the surrounding forest! Fall asleep each night to the relaxing sound of the nearby waterfall.

* Soccer & Service & Local Hot Springs - San Gerardo
After a relaxing afternoon in the hot springs near our rustic lodge, we begin our community service project. Working alongside the children of San Gerardo, we will remodel their local school, helping to paint the walls, repair desks, and create patriotic art for their classrooms. In the afternoons, we compete in soccer games with our new friends.

* Patronato Orphanage Project - San Isidro
At the foothills of Mount Chirripó (the tallest peak in Costa Rica), San Isidro will be our home for the next 4 days as we partake in another community service project. Get to know the children of the Patronato Orphanage through cultural exchange and initiatives in group dynamics, such as sports, music and crafts, which we plan as a group on our first evening in town. At the end of our stay, celebrate with the village children and receive recognition from the local government. We will surely appreciate all we have learned from each other.

* Surf, Spanish & Service - Playa Uvita & Dominical
The unspoiled beachfront paradise of Uvita is our home for the next six days. Begin our time here with an incredible 2-day surf school! Our experienced, professional guides cover all aspects of surf safety and technique, from entering a wave to positioning and falling safely. Feel a sense of accomplishment when you're able to stand and ride the waves!

Spend two days with local students teaching English and learning Spanish! Share in combined classes where we have the opportunity to break down the language barrier. Spend your free time chilling on the beach, taking kayaking lessons and more surfing!

* Grand Finale - Raft, Zip & Snorkel - Manuel Antonio National Park
The most popular and most visited National Park in the country is our final stay. Relax on pristine beaches, snorkel, browse the local shops and take a guided hike of this amazing park. Whitewater raft the incredible Naranjo River, surrounded by impressive views of the rainforest. Get set for your once-in-a-lifetime thrill - a canopy zip-line adventure covering a mile and a half, at speeds of up to 45 miles per hour! At our final banquet, we reflect together on all we have learned and the friendships we've made along the way.

Qualifications: Participants should be prepared for our program. Once you are part of a team, you are committing yourself not only to hard work on service days (from 6-8 hours) but also to your fellow volunteers and those we will be assisting. In sharing this rewarding experience, you are guaranteed to form lasting friendships and will no doubt take away much more than you give. You will receive a certificate of completion recognizing 30-80 hours (depending on program) of service and listing projects accomplished.

Cost in US$: USD 4,299 Plus airfare to and from San Jose

Credit Available: yes

Experience Required: no

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to Costa Rica Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work in Groups of limited up to 30 participants

Application Process Involves:

• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Other

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network
• Exit Debriefing Abroad

360 Student Travel's Mission Statement: 360 Student Travel will allow you the opportunity to step in a new direction. Travel, volunteer, or improve your foreign language skills we are here to help you take that new step by helping you keep your other foot planted. Regardless of travel style, all programs are created with the understanding that no matter what you want to accomplish during the summer, it is still summer, and the challenges and experiences should be enjoyable as well as rewarding. On our Community Service Program you'll be making the world a better place and discovering the world at the same time - ziplining in Costa Rica, exploring a glacier in Alaska, or marveling at the "Big 5" in Africa. If you're open-minded and interested in achieving goals, volunteering, and helping others, then this will be a meaningful and adventurous summer for you. If you're thinking of studying Spanish or French and want the excitment of travel join us in either Spain, Costa Rica or France. On most of these language programs, we study at multiple locations within a country so you experience its full diversity. On our Pre-College Enrichment program get a sneak peek at college life while being immersed in the culture and excitement of Barcelona. We have teamed up with the renowned International House School, centrally located just steps from Plaza Cataluna, to bring you exciting courses from Creative Writing and International Business to Spanish Language, and SAT prep with Princeton Review. Join us on our Global Adventures if adventures are for you. We offer the most unique variety of activities imaginable that encourage individual growth and character.

Year Founded: 1992