Thanks for the checking out the blog for this Global Leadership Adventures Custom Group program!
Here are a few things you can expect:
- We typically receive 2-3 blog posts per week here at GLA Headquarters from our program staff and students, so please don’t be alarmed if you don’t see a blog post daily – that’s totally normal.
- Blog updates sent on weekends may not be posted until Monday.
- Due to many factors, including but not limited to internet accessibility, photos may not always be available to post onto the blog. Sometimes onsite program staff are only able to send text back to Headquarters, where our team updates the blog.
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 NOVEMBER 6 & 7
Greetings from Parrita, Costa Rica. The Atmosphere Academy students and their chaperones arrived yesterday safely after a long day of travel. This morning everyone woke up early to the sounds of parrots, monkeys, and the ocean waves in the distance. We had a delicious Costa Rican breakfast to give us energy for the day’s activities. We also sang happy birthday to Armita! We have a few more birthdays coming up and will have a celebration for all on Friday.
Today the students will have Orientation to learn about the program and Costa Rican culture, and we will play some leadership games. We’ll also have some time to check out the beach and play in the pool. Everyone is looking forward to learning more about what the next week of adventure has in store!
We look forward to sending you more pictures and highlights over the next week! Stay tuned for lots of smiles.
GLA Directors – Heather & Lisa
BLOG POST FOR NOVEMBER 7
Today we learned a lot about Costa Rican culture and the spirit of Pura Vida! After a tour of Home Base we had a great afternoon in the pool playing games like volleyball, water polo, and Marco Polo!
We tried some Costa Rican food including rice and beans, known as “gillo pinto” and fresh delicious juices. The day ended with a beautiful sunset circle and walk on the beach. Excited for another day tomorrow going ziplining!
Pura Vida!
From the leaders of the day: Russlan, Armita, and Citlali 🙂
BLOG POST FOR NOVEMBER 8
The day was filled with many new adventures! We flew through the jungle on a series of zip lines with a “superman zip” at the end over a big river. Some people even went upside down! On the way back to home base we stopped at a local market and souvenir shop. During the afternoon we had some time to relax and play in the pool. We also saw a sloth way up in a tree and white-faced monkeys were running across the rooftops at the hotel. Dinner was really delicious with tacos, skewers and guacamole! In the evening there was a guest speaker who led a presentation about Costa Rica, Sea Turtles and gave an introduction to what we will be doing for community service. The group is excited to start service tomorrow!
BLOG POST FOR NOVEMBER 9
We started service today and all worked together to plant some trees and clear a designated trail for people to access to beach. This trail will help prevent people from stepping on the new growth and help combat erosion problems. The shoreline in Costa Rica is getting higher due to climate change and it’s important for natural growth to protect the ocean environment. Communities in this area have also suffered because of flooding, so these efforts will also help protect their homes.
A local Costa Rican environmentalist named Maurilio guided us through the steps of what to do and was a great leader. It was tough work, but it was awesome to see everyone come together for a good cause and help the community of Playa Palo Seco.
In the afternoon, had a dance class where we stretched our comfort zones! Not everyone wanted to dance at first, but we all learned the steps to some salsa, merengue, bachata, and a local Costa Rican traditional dance. After dinner we learned about our different leadership styles during and then watched a short film about eco tourism, specifically about Manuel Antonio National Park where we are going tomorrow! We can’t wait.
Leaders of the day: Anaiya, Giana, Isabella, Jayden
Pura Vida
BLOG POST FOR NOVEMBER 10
Today we started bright and early with a delicious breakfast of yummy pancakes, eggs, fruit and juice. We went to the Manuel Antonio National Park and saw tons of wildlife. We spotted three toed sloths, squirrel monkeys, howler monkeys, white-faced monkeys, colorful crabs, a rainbow grasshopper, lots of lizards, and more. It was really cool to learn about the special ecosystems in the park. At the end of the nature trail was the beach with turquoise blue water. We had so much fun floating in the gentle waves and playing on the beach.
After we got back to our Home Base, we rested a bit before doing some leadership activities. We played “the big question” which was a game that got us to talk to many different students and learn about each other. After dinner we had a birthday party for Amarita, Emiliano, Kiara, Anaiya, Ms. Gilbert and Josh. We danced and had homemade cake, then had a surprise pool party! It was an amazing day.
Leaders of the day,
Elizabeth, Jayden J., Janelle, and Leah
BLOG POST FOR NOVEMBER 11
Today was such a special day because we got to release baby sea turtles! As soon as we arrived at the community service site this morning, we were greeted by Victor with the exciting news that sea turtles had just been born. We all put gloves on and released two babies each. It was incredible seeing the little babies race towards the waves. Some of us gave our sea turtles names and it was like a competition seeing whose baby would get to the ocean the quickest.
After we wished our sea turtle babies good luck, we headed back to the hatchery and learned more facts about the Olive Ridley sea turtles, which are called “Tortuga Lora” in Costa Rica. The leaders of the day got to help with putting eggs collected the night before in a nest for safe keeping in the hatchery. Then we all worked together to paint the hatchery and we also sorted through trash to be properly recycled. It was tough work, but super rewarding.
When we got back to Home Base, we had some delicious burritos for lunch. Then we had some pool time and relaxation time. In the afternoon we had cooking class with a really nice lady from the community named Lulu. She taught us how to make empanadas and we drank fresh coconuts, too.
Tonight we reflected on leadership and people that we admire for their leadership skills. Many people said they admire their parents! We also shared things that we are proud of and things that we’ve learned so far from this trip in Costa Rica.
Leaders of the Day,
Jarely, Viance, Jayden H., Mishyla
BLOG POST FOR NOVEMBER 12
We had a blast today going out on a catamaran boat for a snorkeling excursion! It took some courage for those who have not been snorkeling before, but it was a great time and we saw some really pretty fish. The boat also had a water slide that went into the ocean and a high jump which was so much fun for the group to try out! We had lunch on the boat with some delicious juices.
In the afternoon we did an activity called One Meaningful Goal (OMG) where we individually reflected on a goal that we want to achieve and steps about how to work towards success. We were lucky to enjoy a beautiful sunset on the beach tonight before dinner. The last activity was a short film and discussion about how a movement is started with the important first few followers, talking about leadership in the form of courageous follower-ship. We unfortunately only have one full day left together in Costa Rica, but many memories to take back home!
Leaders of the day:
Maddison, Emiliano, Sashaly, Destiny
