COSTA RICA
THE INITIATIVE FOR CHILDREN
Make an impact on the next generation of Costa Rican youth through infrastructure improvements and cross-cultural exchanges at local schools.
Highlights
FOR THE COSTA RICA: THE INITIATIVE FOR CHILDREN™ PROGRAM
- Volunteer on infrastructure projects at rural schools
- Discuss critical community issues
- Experience Costa Rica’s rainforest canopy on a zipline and hike to a waterfall
- Tube down Rio Arenal and relax in hot springs
- Learn about the culture through cooking, dancing lessons and a coffee workshop
- Enjoy a whitewater rafting adventure and take a two-day overnight excursion to the beach for a catamaran ride and snorkeling (21-Day Program only)
Program Menu For
The Initiative for Children
COSTA RICA
THE INITIATIVE FOR CHILDREN
Program Overview
Join this program and get hands-on experience with impactful projects that directly benefit Costa Rican youth. We’re located in a serene, authentic local community, where your primary focus will be revitalizing local schools through structural improvements and refurbishments. You’ll also spend time learning about local life, trying traditional foods, and learning traditional dance in a group lesson.
After your rewarding service work, dive into Costa Rica’s natural beauty with thrilling activities like ziplining, river tubing, hiking, lake kayaking and soaking in volcanic hot springs. Opt for the 21-day experience to add more excitement to your adventure by exploring the region’s natural beauty, visiting an organic farm, taking on the challenge of whitewater rafting and enjoying a two-night beach excursion with a catamaran ride.
Featured Theme
Featured Destinations
COSTA RICA
THE INITIATIVE FOR CHILDREN
Community Service
Work at a school or community center, where local children spend much of their day. Alongside school and local leaders, collaborate to improve site infrastructure and conditions, and learn about the challenges and opportunities children face in the community. Depending on the community’s needs when you arrive, you might maintain gardens, build a greenhouse for growing food, refurbish a classroom or work on repairs.
Though interactions with local schoolchildren may vary from session to session, your dedication to these projects is crucial. When opportunities arise, we play soccer or lead English games to foster interaction with local students and help them improve their English skills.
Hands-On Learning
Costa Rica is known for its leadership in environmental protection and educational initiatives, yet development challenges continue to impact its youth. During your stay, you’ll gain valuable insights into these ongoing issues as you visit some of the communities and farms that surround the rural town of Santa Teresa, located north of San José in inland Costa Rica. The students in the schools where you’ll volunteer come from families who work on these pineapple and livestock farms. While you’re here, you’ll connect with local school children, ask questions and learn what it’s like to grow up in Costa Rica. These meaningful cross-cultural interactions encourage mutual learning, fostering language exchange and shared inspiration.
Adventure
Balance your meaningful community service experience with the adventurous side of Costa Rica! Visit Juan Castro Blanco National Park and hike near the world-famous Arenal Volcano. Relax in hot springs and follow a local guide who shares insights about the area’s traditions, history and nature. Wind your way through the farms and enjoy the unhurried pace of life. Explore the country by water on kayaking and tubing expeditions. Follow that up with an incredible ziplining expedition through lush tree tops. You’ll even have a chance to spend the afternoon swimming in your very own private lake behind Home Base!
Exclusive to our 21-day program, you’ll experience an epic whitewater rafting excursion on the Aguas Bravas river, and an ocean catamaran ride and snorkeling adventure.
Lodging
This program is based in Alajuela province, in the small rural community of Santa Teresa. Home Base is an all-wooden lodge surrounded by pineapple and sugarcane farms. There are three lakes near the property where students can swim, kayak and enjoy the exclusive, sprawling grounds. The food at Home Base reflects the traditional dietary staples of Costa Rica—simple, fresh and healthy, featuring delicious, locally-grown fruits. Students will stay in gender-segregated rooms with roommates.
COSTA RICA
THE INITIATIVE FOR CHILDREN
Dates & Tuition
Everything you need to know before you apply.
21-Day Program
Ages 14-18
| 2025 Dates |
|---|
| JUN 13 – JUL 03, 2025 |
14-Day Program
Ages 14-18
| 2025 Dates |
|---|
| JUL 12 – JUL 25, 2025 |
Tuition Includes All In-Country Expenses
- Airport pick-up/drop-off
- In-country transportation
- Lodging
- 3 meals per day
- Professional full-time staff and experts
- 24/7 parent support hotline during the program
- Secondary medical and evacuation insurance
- Cultural activities, lectures and excursions
- Pre-departure materials and support
- Educational materials
To save your spot, an application fee and $600 deposit are required.
Backed by our 5-Point Safety System™
GLA HOME BASE:
SAFE & SECURE LODGING
CARING SUPERVISION &
EXPERT LOCAL KNOWLEDGE
SAFE
TRANSPORTATION
HEALTHY FOOD
& PURE WATER
24/7 SUPPORT &
EMERGENCY RESPONSE
Speak with the GLA Admissions Team
Admissions
Phone Number
1-858-771-0645
USA Toll-Free
Phone Number
1-888-358-4321
Admissions
Email Address
info@experienceGLA.com
COSTA RICA
THE INITIATIVE FOR CHILDREN
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