Costa Rica Eco-Volunteer Trip Summer 2010!

  Costa Rica

• Central Pacific Coast: 
San Isidro del General

Duration of Program: 1-2 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 1-2 weeks
Dates: (June 27- July 4) (July 4- July 11) or (July 11- July 18)

Description: At Cultural Embrace we specialize in connecting individuals with international experiences. This summer, join us on a pre-arranged Eco-Volunteer Experience to Costa Rica! Cultural Embrace wants you to be more than a tourist; we want you to fully interact with the local culture and communities you are visiting!
Sustainable Agriculture and Green Education Volunteer Projects

Volunteer projects include: preparing soil, planting seeds, using and producing organic fertilizer, maintaining spring-water wells, harvesting crops, drying medicinal herbs in the solar dryer, constructing a terrace system to slow erosion, building bio-gas production as alternative energy, termite proofing structures, tending to the frog and fish ponds, feeding animals, collecting eggs, riding horses to monitor the 12 acres and furthering the creation of a butterfly garden. Optional Spanish lessons in the evening are available for 10/hour. Pura Vida!

Highlights: What's Included:
* Accommodations: shared lodging in Eco Houses Organic meals (B/L/D: breakfast, lunch, dinner)
* CE Staff Trip Leader
* Travel insurance Pre-departure & Local Support and 24-hour emergency contact numbers
* Local English Speaking Guides
* Local Ground Transportation and Transfers
* Volunteer and Recreational Activities as per itinerary

Itinerary
Day 1: Sunday (D)
Meet and greet with your local English- speaking guide and driver outside of San Jose's airport customs. Transfer to San Isidro del General. Enjoy a typical dinner (all organic ingredients grown on farm), settle into Eco houses and sleep to the beautiful tunes of nature.

Day 2: Monday (B, L, D)
Get started with a gallo pinto breakfast and a hot cup of café con leche (straight from the cow!). Tour the farm and learn about different projects and initiatives. Work hard before eating a well-deserved lunch, and then get your hands dirty again back on the farm before heading to the local waterfall to swim and relax.

Day 3: Tuesday (B, L, D)
Wake up to the smell of huevos rancheros and then dive into your farm projects. Teams will divide and
conquer to learn and experience different projects. Work hard before eating a well-deserved lunch then get your hands dirty again before enjoying a mejenga (casual soccer game) and dinner.

Day 4: Wednesday (B, L, D)
Learn how to cook "a lo tico." Enjoy cooking classes and continue with farm projects. Teams will participate hands-on with each meal and farm project so that everyone shares the ground to plate experience. Enjoy the fruits of your labor! Visit a local school in the afternoon. Serve as a conversation partner and play games with the students. Return to the farm for dinner.

Day 5: Thursday (B, L, D)
Work hard to finish the projects! Enjoy today's meals at the farm and a fun excursion to nearby hot springs to relieve your muscles. Pack and be
ready for an early departure to the beach.

Day 6: Friday (B, L)
Early departure for the beach! Visit the pacific coast to enjoy the sand, sun and surf. Enjoy lunch with great views for whale watching. Continue to beach hop your way to Manuel Antonio. Enjoy the night life with some salsa dancing or rest to the sound of the waves. Overnight at local hotel.

Day 7: Saturday (B)
Opt to take surf lessons, boogie board, build a sand castle, collect shells or relax in a hammock with your favorite book. Visit the National Park right on the beach, famous for its fauna and flora, just don't feed the rainforest animals! Overnight at local hotel.
Day 8: Sunday (B)
Return to the airport and hasta la vista!

Qualifications:
* You must be at least 18 years of age. Or, if younger than 18, you must have parental or guardian consent.   
* Dedication to the full week commitment
* Enjoy providing a service and working with others in a challenging environment.
* Open to foreign cultures and living abroad
* High level of responsibility

Cost in US$: 695

Experience Required: no

Age Range: 18-80

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

Participants Travel to Costa Rica Independently

Typically Participants Work in Groups of up to 16

Application Process Involves:

• Essay
• In-Person Interview when Feasible
• Letters of Reference
• Other
• Phone Interview
• Physical Exam/Health Records
• Resume
• Transcript
• Written Application

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

Cultural Embrace's Mission Statement: Our mission is to encourage people to recognize and appreciate cultural diversity. We believe that visiting a place firsthand allows one to truly experience the authenticity of a culture and develop his/her own impressions. Our goals are to provide quality service and opportunities for people to explore their world and enlighten their eyes, mind and heart. Traveling is a reciprocated flow of communication and interaction between people...the more you seek, the more you learn. "Discover the Similarities - Share the Differences"