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
Click here to jump down to the most recent post!
BLOG POST FOR JUNE 18
The day has finally arrived for the students to come to Beachside Service Adventure!
We were so excited to see their smiling faces at the airport in Liberia. Students have been arriving and loading up onto the GLA bus to make the hour and a half drive to homebase. They are making friends and getting to know each other!
Once we arrived at homebase, students got to see their cabin and set up. They also got to spend some time with their new roommates for the week before completing health checks and swim tests. We spent some time playing volleyball in the front of the hotel and we watched the sun set on the beach.
We ate a traditional Costa Rican dinner called “Casado” – which is usually rice, beans, plantain, a protein (today was chicken) and salad.
We finished the evening with some announcements and plans for the next day. They are excited for the adventures that await us!
Thank you for trusting us with your teens, we are excited to experience this adventure with them over the next 9 days.
Students will have busy days fostering in-person community and getting to know each other. To keep you in the loop, we’ll send regular blogs and be available as a staff support team 24/7.
Our blogs will start with myself, Kaitlyn Johnson, a mentor, and Isa Bertoli, international director, and will transition to students writing from their perspective.
¡Pura Vida!
Isa, Jorge, Kaitlyn, Milena, Ana, Ella, and Kyle
BLOG POST FOR JUNE 19
After arrivals and introductions, our Costa Rica adventure officially began with a full day focused on building community, preparing for service, and connecting with the environment around us.
The morning started with orientation, creating roommate agreements, and reviewed our community expectations, code of conduct, and leadership principles for the program. These conversations helped establish a foundation of trust, respect, and accountability that will guide us throughout our time together.
Of course, no first day would be complete without some icebreakers. Students quickly got to know one another through games and team-building activities, and had fun at the pool, played charades, volleyball, giant Jenga, and the always-popular imposter game.
Meals throughout the day gave everyone a taste of local cuisine. Breakfast included eggs, rice and beans, cereal, yogurt, and fresh fruit. Lunch featured rice, beans, and French fries, while dinner was tacos!
One of the most important moments of the day was learning about the service organizations that students will partner with during the program. After an explanation of each organization, students voted on which projects they were most interested in joining.
This year’s service partners are:
Grupo Ecologista Avellanas (GEA) – Students will support environmental education, beach cleanups, mangrove restoration, and community projects while building connections with local students and residents.
Verdiazul (VA) – Students will work directly on marine conservation initiatives, including sea turtle protection, hatchery maintenance, and beach conservation efforts.
Uniendo Comunidades (UC) – Students will collaborate on community improvement projects such as school enhancements, reforestation efforts, murals, and public awareness initiatives.
CEN – Children & Family Support Center – New for 2026, students can help improve a local center that provides childcare, nutrition, education, and family support services for children and mothers in the community.
The day concluded with a special sea turtle conservation workshop. Students learned about the challenges facing sea turtles along Costa Rica’s coast, explored the conservation work being done to protect them, and even had the opportunity to practice locating turtle eggs. The evening’s highlight came during a turtle release, when students watched young hatchlings begin their journey to the ocean, and were able to release them themselves.
Day 1 was filled with new friendships, meaningful learning experiences, and the first steps toward the service and leadership work ahead. We can’t wait to see what the rest of the program brings!
Pura vida!
BLOG POST FOR JUNE 20
Today we woke up bright and early at 6:25am so we could eat breakfast before heading to our first day of service. During service some groups painted signs while others washed sandbags.
After service we chilled by the pool and headed over to the beach to swim while others played beach volleyball and soccer. Students also boogie boarded. On the way back to home base students bonded over music on the bus.
We then arrived back and had time to shower and get ready for chow circle at 6:15 with dinner following at 6:30. After dinner we were split into two groups to find our leadership styles and three core values.
After that students had free time which many used to dance salsa being taught by our mentor Ana.
From your leaders of the day: Daniella, Max, Victoria, Louise, Cade, Bryson, and Addy.
BLOG POST FOR JUNE 21
Buenos Dias! Today, campers arose at 6:30 to indulge in some fluffy eggs and fresh fruit.
After their scrumptious breakfast, students attended their 2nd day of service, working up a sweat assisting the community. From the beach to local schools, campers engaged themselves in the lifestyle of Costa Rica and truly learned what it means to live in the country.
From there, students ate a nutritious lunch before relaxing in the refreshing water of home base’s pool. After their free time, campers were fortunate enough to visit one of the counselors houses, Milena, and not only compete against one another in an intense soccer game, but also cook empanadas with Milena’s family. Campers experienced firsthand the process required for empanadas to be made.
Finally, the students ended their day of fun with a little self-reflection in their mentor groups.
From the Group Leaders of the day – Reed Lane, Mia, Izzy, Acacia, Ruby, and Zach
Pura Vida 🌴
BLOG POST FOR JUNE 23
Buenas Dias, today we started our third day of service around 8am after having the traditional breakfast of gallo pinto and eggs. Many students would say today was one of the best days of service so far! Students worked hard and optimistically in their four separate service groups. While some did more physical labor like digging turtle nests and picking up trash, others did more social work including interacting with local school children and painting murals.
After a long day of work, students returned back to home base around noon with just enough time to rest and reset before lunch at 12:30pm. After lunch, students were split into three teams and participated in a debate about the ongoing gentrification issues in Costa Rica.
Then, students jumped straight into the pool to cool off and have some fun before a dance class in which students learned three types of dance: salsa, reggaeton, and a traditional Guanacaste dance. The dance class was followed by a dance party and dinner, which were both amazing!
After dinner, students jumped into mentor groups where they wrote letters to one another which they will soon read on the plane home (t-minus 2 days). Overall, today was filled with laughter, smiles, and lots of fun! Until tomorrow.
From your leaders of the day: Lily, Eli, Katie, Rena, Agnes, Julian. And Daniella.
BLOG POST FOR JUNE 24
Hola!! Today started bright and early for many with a group of students getting up for a beach walk/run at 6:15am. The rest then woke up and joined the early risers for breakfast. Immediately after students left for service with many groups having a longer bus ride to their service site for the day.
During service groups worked on the beach while others painted. Towards the end of service some groups got to buy smoothies and coffee before heading back to home base for lunch.
All the students continued to bond during lunch and the free time the followed. Later in the afternoon students competed in a scavenger hunt ending with the students finding an “endangered turtle egg” after going through seven challenges to obtain clues. In the end, everyone found the egg as one team showing teamwork and collaboration and were rewarded with popsicles and pool time.
The pool time that then followed was full of laughter and fun which was a great escape from the hot and humid climate. The free time lasted for about 2.5 hours and was followed by a short walk to the beach for sunset before dinner during which many took photos.
Later in the evening students had a surprise activity which was a shark tank pitch of a community organization that would combat a local ongoing issue. The sharks (mentors) decided that #teamseas which combated pollution in Costa Rica.
This activity was then followed by karaoke which was very fun and brought everyone closer.
See you bright and early tomorrow for adventure day!!
From your leaders of the day + Daniella.
BLOG POST FOR JUNE 25
Adventure day has finally arrived!!
Today students woke up bright and early to head out at 6:45am for our boat day adventure. The bus ride was about an hour and was filled with laughter, singing, and breakfast.
Students boarded the boat around 8am and immediately began enjoying the day. After applying plenty of sunscreen, students headed out to lay out in the sun during the ride over to where they would swim.
An hour after boarding the boat arrived to the cove where we could jump in. Of course, students took no time at all to begin jumping off the boat and swimming in the ocean. They then swam for an hour and were begging for more time as they were called in for lunch.
Later in the day after showers and naps, many local vendors came to home base to host a local market for students. Many were quick to buy souvenirs and clothes that parents will soon see as students arrive home.
After getting all dressed up, we began our evening with photos and the last sunset circle. Following dinner students took a quick survey to give feedback on the program.
Then we jumped straight into an appreciation circle which is a special GLA activity on the last night that made many very emotional. Despite tears and sadness, students ended the night with a pool party and late bedtime of 11 pm.
Despite today being the last day, bonds became closer and students embraced the very last moments together.
See you at home tomorrow!
Daniella
