FOR THE COSTA RICA: SPRING BREAK SERVICE ADVENTURE PROGRAM
APRIL 03 – APRIL 10, 2021
NOTE TO READERS
Welcome family and friends! If you know someone attending the Costa Rica: Spring Break Service Adventure program by Global Leadership Adventures on the April 03-10 session, this is your hub for updates.
This photo is from a previous year of the program.
Throughout the course of this eight-day spring break program, students in Costa Rica and program staff will occasionally write short blog posts to share with all of you back home. Program blog updates typically consist of some brief recollections of recent happenings on-site (so that you can feel like you’re a part of the experience, too!) alongside several photos, whenever possible.
We will post program blogs whenever we can. However, please note that program blog updates typically don’t happen daily. Expect to receive them several times throughout the course of the session.
You will receive an email update as soon as a new one has been posted.
Keep a lookout in your inbox, and enjoy!
Brett Scuiletti
Editor
Global Leadership Adventures
APRIL 03, 2021
Hi GLA Spring Break families!
Today was a busy arrival day, with 14 out of 17 students arriving to our Beachside Home Base between 9:30am and 5:00pm local time. (As of the time of this writing, we’re still waiting for our final three arrivals, Evelyn, Kate and Harrison! We’ll have more pictures soon with the full group here – don’t you worry.)
Our student pod in Costa Rica, minus our three later arrivals.
We played games on the bus, prepared room and bathroom signs (there’s no flushing of toilet paper here, so always good to have a reminder) and did our swim tests. We got to know each other a bit and plan to do so more tomorrow (Sunday) with the full group!
After dinner, our first Leaders of the Day were introduced and presented our schedule for tomorrow. A few volunteers also presented our House Rules for some of the later arrivals.
Our first two students to reach Costa Rica.
Some of our students during airport pickup.
After all that, we were fed some insider knowledge that the stars on the beach were unbelievably bright and clear and that there was bioluminescence in the water. We quickly gathered the group and did some Costa Rican stargazing to cap off the night.
Update: One of our later arrivals, Evelyn, alongside Local Director Daya
We can’t wait for the rest of our group to get here and to keep on with this adventure!
Un abrazo del equipo,
Madison Moore*
International Director
Global Leadership Adventures
*with Daya, our Local Director and Juan Carlos, our Mentor
APRIL 04, 2021
Hi families!
Today was our first full day in Costa Rica. A few people started the day with a run, then we started off with some good breakfast before getting COVID tested, as GLA has been really good with COVID precautions.
We then began orientation, learning about the GLA Code of Conduct, GLA Geology and cultural immersion, PURA VIDA and some (competitive) get-to-know-you games.
Group photo at the beach.
Take two.
We got to enjoy a little time in the pool and dined on some fresh coconuts before heading across the street (because the venue? *chef’s kiss*) and we played soccer while the sun was setting over the ocean.
A giant turtle also visited us on the beach before returning into the waves!
We had a delicious dinner filled with carbs followed by some Mentor groups, where we went further in-depth with our new friends.
First *incredible* turtle sighting!
Beach time.
Beach soccer.
Beach lounging.
Hanging out with our International Director, Madison.
We’re writing the blog now and then we plan to shower and hit the sack and get ready for a new adventure-packed day!
We’re looking forward to working with Verdiazul (our partner organization) on protecting marine wildlife tomorrow.
Our later arrivals: Harrison and Kate are here!
Sunset on the coast.
“Pura vida” from your Leaders of the Day,
Caitlin O. and Ethan
Costa Rica: Spring Break Service Adventure
Global Leadership Adventures
APRIL 05, 2021
The day began with breakfast. Pancakes with a side of bacon, fruit and potatoes. The morning was crisp, with a sea breeze tickling our senses, teasing us of the day ahead. As breakfast wound to an end, we went over the schedule again and bathing suits were put on.
Exploring the Costa Rican coast.
Listening to a local speaker at the beach.
As we departed from Home Base, we traveled a little further from home to calmer waters.
Once there, quality time was spent with the group, as well as our lifeguard Bryan, who was perched on the beach, keeping a watchful eye. Much sunscreen was applied, and laughter was shared.
Presentation time.
Upon return, we were greeted by the sweetest local leader who came to speak to us. She imparted her wisdom and knowledge about both regional and national issues, giving us a very detailed presentation that left us with plenty to think about and ponder.
Service work.
Environmental Stewardship + Creativity
After a Mexican-inspired lunch, community service began. Splitting into three service groups, we tackled various projects revolving around tortugas marinas (“sea turtles”) and environmental stewardship.
One group designed colorful and protective educational signage in regards to sea turtle habitat, while another painted markers that signal turtle nesting sights for night patrollers. The final group combed the beach in search of harmful microplastics.
Showing off our work
After several hours we ate a well deserved dinner. Then we topped off the night with mentor groups. We reflected on the day of service and the Environmental Stewardship theme of our program.
We are looking forward to tomorrow!!
APRIL 06, 2021
Dear People Who Raised Us,
Today we started off with a light breakfast. Which saved room in our stretched-out stomachs for a traditional cooking class with Doña Yolanda, where we made our own homemade empanadas and tortillas!
We got to learn about the traditional Costa Rican cooking style and also learned about her bakery business, even getting to taste her famous baked goods.
Local Cooking Class
Local Cooking Class
Local Cooking Class
Local Cooking Class
Local Cooking Class
Local Cooking Class
Local Cooking Class
Local Cooking Class
Local Cooking Class
Time to eat!
After we filled our stomachs, we went to burn it off with a soccer game at a local “cancho” (soccer field).
Even though not everyone knew a lot about soccer, we all played and competed in our Mentor groups. It was pretty competitive and everyone had a lot of fun.
Soccer
Soccer
We came back to Home Base for lunch and had a nice break until community service. Our groups switched service sites and we were able to experience new kinds of service work, all still focused on sea turtle and marine conservation.
After a long day of hard work, we had dinner and then we did a group debate about how turtles should be protected while including considerations for local community members and the economy. Our competitive sides showed again, as they did at soccer, so we got to learn about different sides of each other and try to reach a happy medium for all sides.
Service Projects
Service Projects
Service Projects
Service Projects
Service Projects
We are worn out, but super excited for tubing and ziplining for our first huge adventure day tomorrow!
See you all again soon!
E.A.K! We’re excited for tomorrow,
Ella, Arteria & Kennedy
P.S. I still have yet to find a college -A
P.P.S. Thanks for doing all my graduation stuff 🙂 -K
P.P.P.S. I am barely sunburned! -E
APRIL 07, 2021
Dear Families,
We woke up super early this morning to be on-time for our big adventure. After an early breakfast, we hopped on the bus and drove the two hours to the Rio Negro to start our adventure.
After we got on our life vests and helmets, we made our way down to the river with our tubes to jump into whitewater tubing. We drifted and paddled through calm waters and then held on tight through the rapids, screaming and spinning and laughing as we went.
Our tubing adventure ended with the big finale rapid with the biggest drop. We then hiked our way back up with our tubes in tow to go to lunch. (We couldn’t take phones for pictures on the river, so hopefully photos will be coming later from our waterproof Go Pro-carrying students.)
Excursion Day!
Excursion Day!
Lunch was a big buffet with a large variety of foods, including rice, beans, pasta and dessert that we back for seconds and thirds. Subsequently, we headed over to the zipline center to get on our harnesses and the safety briefing to start the second part of the day’s adventure through the canopy.
After a series of ziplines through a canopy of trees, we found ourselves at a canyon where we had a chance to rappell, rock climb and have a go on the rope swing, all while zipping through the lush Costa Rica forest. (A few of us were even brave enough to try it upside down on the two lines deemed safe for it!)
Zipline Adventure
Zipline Adventure
Zipline Adventure
Zipline Adventure
Zipline Adventure
Zipline Adventure
Afterwards, we got a chance to buy some things at the souvenir shop (you might have a gift coming!) and several of us got ice cream to cool down. We then took a stroll up the hill to a “mirador” (lookout point) where we overlooked the Volcano Rincon de la Vieja and enjoyed the view.
Then after a day of fun, we headed back to Home Base. On the way home, we stopped to get our final pre-departure COVID tests (all negative, woo!)
Rappelling and Rock Climbing
Rappelling and Rock Climbing
Rappelling and Rock Climbing
Rappelling and Rock Climbing
As soon as we got back home, we had a delicious chickpea curry and salad, before winding down for the night with cards and socializing after our eventful day.
Then we headed to bed early after a long, fun day.
A Day of Adventure
Striking a Pose
Good Friends and Good Views
Pura vida,
Ben, Caitlin N. & Evelyn
P.S. Hi fam + Butters, I love and miss you so much. -C
P.P.S. Hola fam + Jones and Henry, miss you guys, I only have a few bug bites.
P.P.P.S. Hello all, I miss you and I’m having fun. -B
APRIL 08, 2021
Dear Reader,
We woke up and had breakfast at our usual time of 7:30am. After having delicious Frosted Flakes with marshmallows or huevos rancheros that really hit the spot (10/10 would recommend), we had a morning Mentor group based on Costa Rican culture and hospitality and had a long chat on the lovely Costa Rican people.
After chitchatting away, we got our dancing shoes on and in the mood to boogie with our dance instructors, the epic Valeria and Leo. They taught us salsa, merengue, samba and the traditional regional dance of Guanacaste, which included a screeching battle cry and a handkerchief to mimic a bullfight.
Our dance class concluded with a very competitive dance-off between Mentor groups (obviously Los Jaguares won!)
Groovy moves!
Costa Rican dance-off
Costa Rican dance-off
Costa Rican dance-off
Costa Rican dance-off
Costa Rican dance-off
Los Jaguares won!
After our epic victory, we crossed the street to our Home Base beach, where we got our boogey board on and played in the waves. We rated boogey board rides to encourage flair and distance (obviously there were some 10/10.)
Taking to the waves!
Beach excursion
Beach excursion
After our eventful morning, we had a taste of home when we were treated to delicious chicken fingers and fries and salad. We then headed back to Verdiazul for another full day of service.
Two groups worked at the turtle hatchery today while the others finished their work at the Verdiazul headquarters. After several hours of educational sign painting, sanding and painting the hatchery and changing the sand in the turtles nests for new hatchlings, we were treated to a magnificent, spectacular surprise — BABY SEA TURTLES RELEASED INTO THE WILD hours after hatching!
As the sun went down, we watched as the baby sea turtles crawl to their new home for 25 years until they come back to the same beach they were born to lay their own eggs. This created interesting tracks in the sand that reflected the most beautiful sunset we’ve seen so far.
Baby sea turtles make an appearance
These sea turtles are too cute to measure
So many little ones!
Turtle nests are dug three feet to protect the eggs
Service work
Service work
Service work
Service work
Service work
Service work
Service work
We then headed back to Home Base feeling energetic after a magnificent sight and headed straight toward the showers, as we were covered with sweat and sand.
After another “casado” (traditional Costa Rican Dish with chicken, rice, beans and plantains), we had Mentor groups where we discussed how much we appreciate the experience we’ve had over the past few days, as well as the goals we want to attain in the near future.
Sunset approaches
Sunset arrives
Taking it all in while there’s still time
We’re sad but excited for our last full day tomorrow, as we’re unprepared to leave this beautiful eco-resort and its beautiful surroundings.
See you in a couple days,
Eddie, Yusuke and Kate
APRIL 09, 2021
Dear Friends and Family,
We kicked off our final day with several hours of community service. some worked in the hatchery cleaning out sand of a turtle nest, while others painted signs to advocate for Verdiazul, and the last group did a beach clean-up for microplastics.
We had a good conversation with one of the organization leaders, Mama Tortuga, about how our service project work all well has affected their work and the impact we had. They also had souvenirs set up that you may see coming your way.
Costa Rica: Spring Break Service Adventure
Costa Rica: Spring Break Service Adventure
Costa Rica: Spring Break Service Adventure
Costa Rica: Spring Break Service Adventure
Costa Rica: Spring Break Service Adventure
Costa Rica: Spring Break Service Adventure
Costa Rica: Spring Break Service Adventure
After that, we quickly grabbed a bite to eat and were off to an afternoon of sailing and snorkeling. We hopped aboard the Lazy Lizard, sailing and enjoying 7-Ups and Shirley Temples as we sailed off to a bay and beach to do some snorkeling.
On the way, a couple of us helped reel in some big fish before promptly returning them to the water!
Costa Rica: Spring Break Service Adventure
Costa Rica: Spring Break Service Adventure
Costa Rica: Spring Break Service Adventure
We found some cool sea critters like sea stars, sea urchins and pufferfish as we snorkeled through the ocean with our guide. After a delicious taco and cookie snack scenario, we headed off for more sailing and caught a blessing disguised as a curse — a rainstorm — which led us into the cabin, where we had an impromptu dance party, with strobe lights (just flashlights handled by the crew) and all.
Costa Rica: Spring Break Service Adventure
Costa Rica: Spring Break Service Adventure
Costa Rica: Spring Break Service Adventure
Costa Rica: Spring Break Service Adventure
Costa Rica: Spring Break Service Adventure
We had a wet bus ride home with a fantastic playlist curated by one of our authors and then had a delicioso final dinner of cheeseburgers and fries.
After dinner, we made a thank-you card for the family who hosted us here for our week in Costa Rica (we hope they don’t see this before we present it!) and then wrapped up our program with an Appreciation Circle and a Girl Scout-inspired (thanks to one of our own) gratefulness exercise.
Costa Rica: Spring Break Service Adventure
We have sand in our hair and knowledge in our brains (and action to follow) and an experience that will last a lifetime.
Pura vida for the final time,
Colin, Fisher & Isabella
P.S. You won’t be missing me for long, see you soon! -I
P.P.S. Sorry you have to have me back. -C
P.P.P.S Can I stay? 😉 -F