PROGRAM PHOTO ALBUM
Thanks for the checking out the blog for this Global Leadership Adventures program!
Here are a few things to know and expect:
- Blog posts are written by onsite program staff and/or students and sent to our Headquarters team who will post the blog on this page.
- We typically receive 2-3 blog updates per week from each program, so please don’t be alarmed if you don’t see a blog post every day – that’s totally normal.
- Blog updates received late in the evening or overnight will be posted the following day.
- Blog updates received on weekends may not be posted until Monday.
- Due to many factors such as internet accessibility, program staff aren’t always able to send photos, so some blog posts may contain text only.
Thank you for your patience and understanding, and we hope you enjoy following along on these unforgettable adventures.
For frequently asked questions about the blogs, please visit our Program Blog FAQ page.
-The Global Leadership Adventures HQ Team
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BLOG POST FOR JULY 16
Today is day 2 of the gla trip in Costa Rica.
Tyler and Teagan were the leaders of the day for today. This morning at 8 we had a nice and healthy breakfast with omelettes and fruit, leading to the peace retreat and swim test.
Lunch came around at 12 with another healthy meal of chicken and rice with potatoes, before our surf trip at 1:30. We drove to the beach where we had our first surf lesson of the trip. Everyone found their rhythm and had good moments catching waves. After that, we kicked back and relaxed at the beach.
When we got back around 5 we all had free time to swim in the pool and relax. Finishing off the day with our dinner of beef stew and rice with plantain chip, and mentor circle, coming up with community rules created by the group. By the end of the day everyone enjoyed their time and picked up a thing or two from surfing lessons.
BLOG POST FOR JULY 17
Today we had an early morning and woke up at 6 to get ready to eat breakfast and go to our second surf lesson of the trip. We learned how to turn with the wave depending on the direction that it was going and overall improved our form. After the surf lesson we walked on a mangrove wood boardwalk to a local restaurant to have our social time with drinks and snack.
We drove back to home base and had some free time to swim or relax in the hammocks.
For lunch we had burgers and potatoes, it was Abigail’s 17th birthday, so the amazing crew and staff made her a cake from scratch that we all had a little slice of. When the cake was over, we went into a differnt part of home base and got to hit a piñata and get candy.
After lunch we had an hour and a half to relax and do yoga or to just rest in our rooms.
When the free time was over, we went to the sea turtle hatchery and learned all about sea turtles and could ask whatever questions we wanted. We got a chance to see some of their different tracks based on the turtle species, and also go to try and find ping pong balls to simulate what it would be like to find a natural turtle nest and its eggs.
When we got back from the hatchery, we have so more free time where most went into the pool and played games, and others went to the hammocks to chit chat and rest. For dinner we had skewers, fried rice, and cauliflower with a sauce over top of it. When that was over, we got to go to a market called La Esquina Market and got to browse around and buy clothes, jewelry, and snacks. Upon getting back from the market, we were placed into our mentor groups and played rose, thorn, bud to tell each other about our days and turned in for the night.
– Your leaders of the day Anna, and Run
BLOG POST FOR JULY 18
This morning we woke up to an incredible breakfast, including eggs, rice and beans. After that we hopped on the bus to a local soccer field and played soccer and other traditional games with the local kids.
After that, we came back to an incredible lunch of fettuccine alfredo, then we headed to the beach for some amazing blue water, which was a little too rough and the tide was too high for us to go in for a long time. After the beach, we got an unexpected phone call that there were many turtles hatching. Then we had an opportunity to release the turtles into their natural habitat: the ocean.
After that we came back for an incredible dinner of a fried meatball.
Then at the end, we chilled for a little bit with some leadership activities and finished off the day with a little bit of free time from 8:30 to 9:30.
-Colin and Samuel
BLOG POST FOR JULY 19
MORNING
We woke up and ate breakfast that included French toast, eggs muffins etc. After that, we went onto the bus and drove to the side of the road to clean up trash bottles, glass, and plastic to clean. After that we played a soccer game with locals red versus blue.
AFTERNOON
After eating lunch, we headed to Playa Negra to watch the World Cup. We had a fun time watching the World Cup and playing pool before heading out to our surfing lessons. We surfed for two hours in super windy weather before heading back to eat dinner.
EVENING
For the evening, we had dinner that included chicken wings, rice, and potato salad. After that, we went into our mentor groups and played a game of werewolf before heading to bed. My group also included Uno, which we did not play due to being very tired.
-Your leaders of the day, Flynn and Stone
BLOG POST FOR JULY 20
Hey guys! It’s Chloe and Emery here to fill you in on what’s happening. We had a FABULOUS day today!!!! First it started off with going to the goat farm and getting a tour of the whole area!! After we got to milk a goat which was sooooo cool. We got to try fresh goats milk, goat cheese, yogurt, fresh honey, and soooo much more. Then to wrap up our time at the ranch we worked on the compost. It was soooo cool and we learned a lot.
Thennnn we had an amazing mid day meal of fish cutlets and rice. After that we had some fun pool time to cool down before a rest hour which was soo relaxing. The activity we were all waiting for had finally come. LATIN DANCE CLASS!!! Every single person had a BLAST. We learned salsa, reggaeton dances and a special guanecastan dance. I know me and Emery had the most fun ever! We even got a shoutout before dinner for having the best moves and energy hehe. Tomorrow we have an early morning butttt it’s for river tubing and ziplining!!! So I guess I won’t be able to sleep in lol.
Love, everyone’s favs,
EMERY AND CHLOEEEEEEE
BLOG POST FOR JULY 21
We woke up at the crack of dawn (5:40am) on a sunny Tuesday! We had a two hour bus ride with singing and delicious breakfast sandwiches! Once arrived we hopped on a bus and headed to the river at Hacienda Guachipelin. Pablo had told us that the tubing experience was going to be very chill but we missed the part about it being white water tubing! Abba, Brayden, and Sajan all flipped multiple times and had the best time going down the river. After this amazing tubing experience we headed to the zip lining site. As we headed down this thrilling experience on the line we also faced some of our fears. As one line was a swing. Where we did not realize we were swinging until we got there, but we did it, and it ended up being one of the most fun platforms.
After our adventures we got some ice cream and went to a restaurant for lunch. Outside there were two huge bulls on display with a traditional ox cart, that we didn’t realize were real until we were really up close and personal. We then had food from a Costa Rican buffet. We headed to a souvenir shop and stocked up on snacks and ice cream before our two hour drive to home base.
Once we were home, we were exhausted from our fun packed day, but we still had lots of more energy to sing in the showers and have a very yummy dinner of fish, pasta salad and chips. We did these challenges for every different table and our (Mo and Mia) challenge was that we couldn’t say “like” and had to keep a hand on the table or head. Abba’s table had to talk in the 3rd person. After all this we did a cool bonding activity where we discussed our lived experiences and asked others questions in small groups. This activity connected us more with eachother and that was fun.
XOXO CASA AMOR!!!!!!!!
(ABBA, MO, and MIA!!)
(Most photos were taken on GoPro footage so photos pending)
BLOG POST FOR JULY 22
Today before surfing, we had these really good breakfast burritos and a vanilla cupcake. At Avellanas beach, the waves were very good and some people got food. Right after surfing we came back to home base. For lunch, the kitchen prepared something special, pizza. The pizza was very good and everyone loved especially Sammy who went back for 4th.
After lunch, everyone came to the pool and played frisbee together and had rest time. At 1:45 everyone showered and got ready for cooking at Anais’ house, a local grandma who has cooked since the age of 10. At Anais’ house, we all learned how to make empanadas. On the side of some of the best empanadas I’ve ever had was a sweet tea which hit the spot in the heat.
Then all the guys came together and played soccer with some of the local kids. After this we came back to home-base for the best dinner so far. Perfectly cooked rice topped with some of the best teriyaki sauce I’ve ever had, next to fired broccoli on the side. Then we had the best mentor group so far before free time.
Then lights out at 9:15. Thanks for reading.
Brayden & James
BLOG POST FOR JULY 23
We started our day a little bit early in preparation for our amazing day at the farm. At 7 we began breakfast which consisted of fruit bowls, quesadillas, and muffins. Then we headed to Rancho Avellanas at 7:35am.
It was our second and last day at the farm and we learned about the process of composting and how to properly plant fruit trees, specifically banana trees, and worked about 3 hours on the farm. Then we made our way back to homebase where we had lunch, which was chicken, rice, and plantains. After lunch, we enjoyed some pool time and had some rest time where most people took naps at the hammocks or in their rooms.
After we were finished with free time, we made our way to the studio where we had a debate over Eco tourism in Costa Rica. For dinner, we enjoyed some beef, rice, beans, and plantain chips. after dinner, we split into our mentor groups to share our rose, thorns and buds (highs/lows) of the day and we also enjoyed plenty of fun, riddles and games throughout the day.
-Your leaders of the day, Liam and Sajan
BLOG POST FOR JULY 24
Hey everyone! It’s your kids mentor, Lyla, coming at you with our blog today. And boy was it an awesome day! Today we shockingly got all of your kids up by 6:10am and on a bus. As you can imagine they mostly all slept on the 1ish hour bus ride to Flamingo where we embarked on our sailing journey. When we arrived we all hoped on a smaller boat which drove us out to our big catamaran.
On the catamaran we were met with a spectacular wildlife show of dolphins, flying fish, some turtles on their honeymoon, and many cool seabirds and various fish. After about 45 mins of sailing and 3 rounds of SPF 70 we arrived to our cove where students were able to explore. Most of our students spent their time jumping off the boat (I’m pretty sure Brayden jumped more than 30 times) and asking me for action pictures, which I will put below. The others snorkeled, paddle boarded, and had fun swimming around in the warm clear water. We had fresh fruit, burritos and cookies on board as well as unlimited Shirley temples and ice tea. This whole ride was super beautiful as we cruised past cliffs and waves crashing against them. Some of your students are incredible photographers, Collin, Rune and Liam have some really great photos to share from today.
After returning from the boat ride we ate some chips with guac and salsa at homebase before showering and resting from our long morning. After our rest time we tested the students origami skills, where Stone and Collin helped teach others how to make envelopes from a piece of paper. We then wrote letters to each other, or for some- an interpretive card in the form of a paper airplane? Throughout our entire trip we have weaved in riddles and brain teasers, and so following our card making we continued with a riddle that some of our master riddlers figured out, particularly Emery who seems to know every riddle on earth.
For dinner, we had a fan favorite, authentic Costa Rican… Mac and Cheese. But don’t worry they had some pork skewers and salad. We then went to a local market and gave students one last opportunity to get some souvenirs and gifts for loved ones. We are now wrapping up the day with some free time, which seems to consist of hammocking and listening to music which has been a constant throughout this whole trip.
Overall today was great and felt like the start of a great conclusion of an awesome trip. All of your students have been so much fun to hangout and explore Costa Rica with. Looking forward to our last full day tomorrow and our best surfing yet!
-Lyla!!!!!
