Greetings to the students of our last Costa Rica Beachside Service Adventure session of 2018!
Your proud team of directors and mentors – Callie, Daya, Carlitos, Sam, Sophie, and Michael- had the most
amazing and memorable time with each and every one of you. We hope that the following moments during
the ten days we spent together felt as meaningful for you as they did for us.
We had four service projects during the session, each one enlightening, challenging, and enjoyable in their
own way.
At ROW, we worked long and hard, learning about the environment with Alberto and Marcia. We had that
tree planting competition between Sam and Marcus – 60 trees total. Sam “tortured” our group doing the
values activity, but made up for it when we made a long exposure Thank You pic for Alberto and Marcia.
We had a great time on the last day, with an impromptu activity that made a competitive game out of
recycling for the local schoolkids.
At Avellanas, one of our best memories was when we all went surfing. We also had so much fun at the
party on the last day, watching Curtis werk it to Bum Bum Tam Tam. Beach Clean Up was hard work,
especially when Frank made us run down the beach to do it. It was all worth it when we got to ride that
horse! And we’ll never forget those refreshing swims after hours of service on the beach.
At Pargos, highlights included playing soccer with the kids, befriending cute little Curtis, and painting our
beautiful “orgullosamente de ser guanacestecos” mural. And we will definitely never forget sharing our stories of self on the beach under the stars!
At VerdiAzul, the highlight had to be releasing the baby turtles! We were the only GLA group all summer
that got to release them ourselves! It was also fun to go out in the dark and see what we could of the mama
turtle trying to make her nest and lay her eggs. We planned amazing activities for the kids of Paraiso, which
they loved… some of which they wouldn’t let us stop playing. We dug holes for posts to protect the land-
Fasted Hole-Digger Award is a tie for Parker & Catherine. And we will never forget the times we spent
together on that blue couch that we loved so much.
From the meaningful: sharing stories of self, reflecting on what it means to be a responsible tourist and
effective leader, participating in our final appreciation circle; to the thrilling: Snorkeling! Canopy ziplining!
Trying gallo pinto and trying new things in general; to the downright fun: Bus ride dance parties, playing
soccer with members of the local community, unexpected magic tricks and the talent show…No question
about it, we will remember our ten days with you for years to come. We hope that wherever you are
(perhaps someplace just a little bit colder?), you are able to look back on your experience with GLA and
use what you learned to be the change you want to see in the world.
¡Pura Vida, Mae!
-The GLA CR Beachside team
Feeling nostalgic? You can experience that same sense of friendship and adventure abroad again! Check out all our 2019 programs, or enroll now.
