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:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Blog updates received late in the evening or overnight will be posted the following day.
4. Blog updates received on weekends may not be posted until Monday.
5. 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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Click here to jump down to the most recent post!

BLOG POST FOR JULY 5

Wake up time was 6:30 and we quickly met in the rancho for pura vida and breakfast. We played wax museum (for pura vida) and enjoyed some pancakes! Then it was time for our first day of service! The UC (United communities) group worked with Ester, a local who began the UC organization and is constantly helping Costa Rica in many ways. Our mission today was collecting garbage from the road, beach, and park and successfully sorting the trash into four groups. The VerdiAzul group helped at the nearby turtle hatchery! The group worked with one of the volunteers, Olli, to learn about turtles in the region, specifically, leatherback turtles. They dug out holes for the turtles nests inside the hatchery. Stay tuned for a hatching in the near future!

After a hearty lunch of chili we had some nice pool time to catch up and relax. We played cards, made bracelets, and passed the beach ball in the pool. Then it was time for tribes! We got initiated into either the Koyomo or Nimbu tribes! Our tribal activities of the day were banner making and capture the flag. After an intense game, it was time to get ready for dinner and chow circle! Chow circle and dinner were a little rainy but our spirits weren’t compromised. Ice cream and debate kept things lively. Our debate tonight got heated over whether or not a resort should be built in the nearby region. Now we are winding down and getting ready for our next adventure which starts with a 5:30 wake up!

Written by the leaders of the day!

Margaret, Harper, Hunter, Andrea

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BLOG POST FOR JULY 6

Today we went on our first adventure day! We woke at 5:45 AM and had delicious empanadas for breakfast on the bus ride there. The bus was ride was two hours and many of us took a nap. When we got there, we went rafting down the Colorado River. It was so fun and many of us flipped our tubes! We got very wet. It took an hour and a half to get down the river and was such a good experience with many drops and unexpected turns. After, we changed to go zip lining (a very quick turn around). We went down 9 zip lines and crossed 14 platforms. Aside from zip lines, there were Tarzan swings, rock climbing, and monkey drops! Some of us even went upside down on the zip lines! After this we were VERY hungry and went to this delicious buffet down the road. We enjoyed the variety of food including fish, rice and beans, rice pudding and amazing pineapple. Next we stopped at the local shops on the way home. We tried many of the local Costa Rican snacks and picked up souvenirs! On the bus ride home from that we enjoyed some karaoke to pass the time.

We then arrive home for CHOW circle accompanied by a gorgeous sunset over the beach. Many cute photos were taken and we discussed the highlights of our eventful day. Then we came back to home base to a delicious pasta dinner and ice cream at the resorts ice cream shop. Next, the leaders of the day lead us in a delayed Pura Vida game where we played heads up seven up. Followed by it was Jorge Time! He explained what we will do tomorrow and the exciting adventures to come! We then ended the night with mentor groups, which included a variety of activities and good conversation. And then we called it a night for an eventful day tomorrow!!!

By Alice, Violet, Raegan, Josie

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BLOG POST FOR JULY 7

We woke up at 6:15 to start our amazing day of fun! We ate our breakfast and went to our service activities! VerdiAzul dug up lots of sand, created a great assembly line and swam in the ocean! the UC group painted, constructed, and redecorated a playground, and got to eat fresh costa rican fruit! After we pool chill time for swimming and rest. Soon after we had our dance class where we learned the salsa, reggaeton, Guanacaste and created our own dances!

When we finished we gathered for chow circle where everyone showed their appreciation for GLA and each other, with shoutouts, takeaways, and highlights! For dinner we had Tacos and we voted off the wrong person for Osuga. Then we had Jorge time, then finished the night with mentor groups! Overall great day, Goodnight everyone! Lots of love!!

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BLOG POST FOR JULY 8

The first thing we did after getting up today was pura vida. We had so much fun playing four corners before leaving for service. At UC we got to meet a few really sweet kids from the community. We had a great time playing duck duck goose and soccer with them while finishing beautifying the community playground. At Verde Azul we built a big wall by using shovels and we also sewed baskets and got to swim in the ocean. At the goat farm we got to walk around and feed some goats and we milked and drank fresh goat milk. They had an awesome dog at the farm who loved running around! At the end of the night we played Jeopardy between the tribes which was really fun! Nimbu ended up winning and it was a great way to end off the day!

By Cece, Aubrey, Simon, Sheyna

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:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Blog updates received late in the evening or overnight will be posted the following day.
4. Blog updates received on weekends may not be posted until Monday.
5. 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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Click here to jump down to the most recent post!

BLOG POST FOR JUNE 20

Pura Vida!

Today, we had the joy of welcoming 51 incredible young leaders to the beautiful country of Costa Rica! Students arrived throughout the day at Liberia Airport in different groups.

Upon arrival, they headed straight to our home base, got settled into their rooms, completed initial health checks and a swim test, and started building connections with one another. We ended the day with a delicious traditional Costa Rican dinner—casado—featuring rice, beans, chicken, salad, and a taste of local hospitality. Afterward, we played some fun icebreaker games to help everyone get to know each other better.

We’re excited for tomorrow’s orientation and to dive deeper into the service projects we’ll be part of during our time here.

To all the parents, families, and friends—thank you for your continued support! Please stay connected with our journey by following the blog and leaving a comment below.

Warm regards,
Mentor RJ

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BLOG POST FOR JUNE 21

Hey from Costa Rica!!

Today was our first full day of the program. We spent the majority of the day getting familiar with each other and the expectations of us while we’re here. We started off the day with some yummy breakfast of traditional Costa Rican foods. Then, we started our orientation, which included icebreakers, making skits, and some fun games!

After lunch, we headed to Playa Negra for an afternoon at the beach! We played volleyball, spikeball, and had fun in the waves before a storm rolled in. We made our way back to home base to have yet another delicious meal and then met with our mentor groups for the first time. Now, it’s time to head to bed to prepare for the early morning and fun, busy day ahead of us!

Written by Haley, Sami, Cheyenne, Dylan, Lily G., Katie, and Ella

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BLOG POST FOR JUNE 22

Wasn’t too excited to wake at 5:30 this morning, everyone had to meet up at the Rancho at 6:05! We dropped off our phones and headed to the bus. We were all exhausted, but got super energized by our delicious empanada breakfast. After a bumpy, two hour long bus ride we finally arrived to our first destination…. ZIP LINING! We were worried at first, because it was pouring rain. But thankfully, we were able to go, got all our gear on, and got straight to zip lining! After about 15 zip line platforms full of swings, slides, repelling, and rock wall climbing, we were finally done. When we arrived back at the zip line base and dried off the rain was really coming down and our tubing trip got canceled.

But fortunately for us, about a two minute walk away there was a delicious buffet restaurant and an amazing mile long hiking path where we were met with Costa Rica’s abundant wildlife, and finished with a beautiful viewing of a waterfall. We got back on the bus, and after about 45 minutes, we had a pitstop at a souvenir shop. We got ice cream, T-shirts, keychains, and much more! We arrived home around 4:45 and had an hour to chill.

After our daily chow circle where we discuss our highlights, shoutouts, and take aways from the day and dinner… we were initiated into one of three tribes: NIMBU, KOYOMO, JUYU. Then we relaxed after a super eventful day! See you tomorrow!!!!

By Kobi, Eliza, Dylan W., Cameron, Damon, Albane

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BLOG POST FOR JUNE 23

We started today bright and early with our first ever Pura Vida. We were led in a mini dance routine by some of the mentors and then did a quick icebreaker before breakfast. After we ate, (the pancakes were delicious) we all went our separate ways for community service. We then spent the next four hours shoveling sand, picking weeds, cleaning beaches, and most importantly making a real impact in the community. After lunch half of us took a power nap in our rooms while the other half spent the next hour playing volleyball and marco polo in the pool. Then it was time for beach olympics! RJ led us through four high energy activities to compete for points for our tribe. (Go green!) My favorite was the blindfolded obstacle course and the sand art.

We ended off the night with dinner and a debate that got us using our problem solving skills for real world issues. It is also worth mentioning that the Osuga has still not been caught but this blogger has a feeling that his or her days are numbered! That concludes day four of GLA. Good night everyone!!

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BLOG POST FOR JUNE 24

Today June 24th, we started in the day at everyone meeting at the ranch for PURA VIDA at 6:45!! Each group headed off to their service work at 7:50. Verde Azul walked to the Turtle Hatchery, today’s work was continuing to build the wall of sand for protecting the turtle eggs. This service group end early at 11:15!! They were all able to dip in the ocean to cool off on this very hot day!! The next service group (GEA) spent the day cleaning a nearby beach! It was hot and Fred made us run but we ended up getting loads of trash and learning a lot about pollution and climate change, to conclude a long hot day we swam in the ocean then headed back to home base! The last service group, (UC) went to a local park and worked with local citizens to paint tires around the park and also paint a rancho. Everyone enjoyed the painting job, and some even got a little messy with the paints. The locals were very kind and even provided fresh fruits and snacks for all the volunteers. Overall, a great and successful day of service for the group. All service groups came back to home base to chill till we all went to a community to play traditional games and make empanadas.

When we made the empanadas we watched the traditional way to make corn tortillas we learned how to properly roll them up. Then we saw how they fried them. They were delicious! 😋 Next we played soccer connecting to the tribes to determine who gets points and some of the kids of the community played with us!! The traditional games include different versions of duck, duck, goose and some others.

Everyone had a blast leading everyone to come back to home base later than normal. To end off the day we had tacos for dinner!!!!

By Sophia Kyle Norah Charlotte

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BLOG POST FOR JUNE 25

Today we started with Pura Vida, where the leaders of the day led with Simon Says. We then went to service, where each student went to work on their own specific areas. Then we went to a goat farm, where we saw pigs, went on a hike, fed and milked goats, tried fresh goat milk, cheese, and yogurt. There were a lot of mosquitos. We also did mentor groups and that concluded our day.

By Catrina, Alex, Lucy, Sammy, Maya, Kira

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:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Blog updates received late in the evening or overnight will be posted the following day.
4. Blog updates received on weekends may not be posted until Monday.
5. 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 8

Greetings from Costa Rica!

Our Beachside Service Adventure is officially underway, and we’re off to a great start. By 5 p.m., we had welcomed all of our participants safely to our home for the next 10 days. It’s been a joy to see students from different parts of the world come together, full of curiosity and excitement for the journey ahead.

After settling in, we spent time playing name games and icebreakers to help everyone feel comfortable and start building connections. As the day wound down, we took a walk to the beach and watched a beautiful sunset together—an early highlight that gave us a chance to reflect on the importance of being present. We encouraged everyone to begin “disconnecting to reconnect”—putting phones aside so they can fully engage with the people and experiences around them.

While it was a long day of travel for many, the group is in great spirits and already showing a positive attitude, openness, and excitement for what’s to come. We’re confident this is going to be a meaningful and memorable experience for everyone.

Thank you for trusting us with your amazing young people—we’re so excited to spend the next 10 days learning, serving, and growing together.

With gratitude,
The Beachside Team

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BLOG POST FOR JUNE 9

Pura Vida!

Hey blog! We’re back with the very first student led blog of the GLA Costa Rica trip! Today we did some orientational activities and a met our newest member, Isabella. We learned that she came from Colorado and she plays soccer. We also finished up our health checks and swim tests, which were surprisingly difficult. We created code of conduct skits, talked about their importance, and were put into mentor groups!

Then we went to the Playa Negra, which actually translates to black sand beach! We played volleyball, football and had fun with the waves. It was another great day for the members of the GLA Costa Rica Club! Tsssss! 🐍

By Stella M., Cameron H., Riley L., Eli E.

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BLOG POST FOR JUNE 10

Hello blog! Today’s main activities were zip-lining and tubing adventure. We had an early morning, traveled far (2 hours.) We ziplined through the trees and a canyon with stunning mountain views, after that we cooled off tubing down a beautiful river, after the hour adventure we regrouped and ate at a delicious buffet where we all talked and bonded.

When we got back at homebase, it rained hard. We had a yummy dinner, and got separated into two tribes— Koyomo and Nimbu, with Nimbu winning the first challenge which was a team-poster decorating project. Today was a great way to kick off camp before service with exhilarating views and group bonding!

By Peyton, Seraphina, and Taymur

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BLOG POST FOR JUNE 11

Today started off very strong with everybody working together in their service groups. Some of us were helping to pick up trash off the side of the road and ended up gathering over 52 kilograms (115 pounds) of littered garbage! Others were helping to protect baby sea turtle eggs from beach erosion by digging up wood and dirt. After our service groups we had a cooking class where we made empanadas – which everybody agreed were delicious. During this time we also played soccer which was fun as well.

After the long day, we were heading home and got a great surprise – sea turtles!! We watched and were able to set free baby sea turtles which was an incredible experience for all! To end the night we when back to home base and did a GLA debate about the environment and different factors with protecting the local community.

By Logan, Cameron, Assia

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BLOG POST FOR JUNE 12

This morning, we started the day with a delicious breakfast before splitting into our different service groups. Those working with the sea turtles helped protect their habitat by collecting sand in buckets, reinforcing nesting areas to combat erosion, shielding nests from high tides, and even creating new turtle nests. Meanwhile, the local community service group focused on environmental awareness by painting wooden signs with messages encouraging people to keep the beach clean and protect the natural surroundings.

After our service work, we enjoyed some well earned free time, playing sports, hanging out at the pool, and having fun together. Later, we played group games before getting dressed up in our silliest outfits for a fun and lively chow circle followed by dinner. We then ended the night with mentor time.

By Reid M., Nedjma A., Malina A.

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BLOG POST FOR JUNE 13

Today was another meaningful and rewarding service day as we continued giving back to the community and helping out at the beach. We were especially excited because we had the dance lesson and the GLA Got Talent show to look forward to later in the day.

We kicked off the morning with Pura Vida, which helped set a positive tone. For breakfast, we had French toast, rice and beans, and fresh fruit—definitely a solid start to the day. At the Verdiazul service site, we worked hard again on building the sand barrier to help protect sea turtle nests. It was tough but satisfying seeing the progress we’re making. Meanwhile, the GEA group learned about the causes of climate change and helped clean up trash from the beach. One of our biggest takeaways today was realizing how even small actions can create a big impact.

After a well-deserved swim during pool time, we had lunch—chicken rice and fries—which gave us energy for the rest of the day. We played our daily tribe game (which always gets us laughing) and then began getting ready for the talent show. Later in the afternoon, we had a dance lesson where we learned different traditional dances from the Guanacaste region. It was not only super fun but also brought us closer together as a group.

In the evening, we gathered for our chow circle, shared some reflections, and had a comforting dinner of mashed potatoes and meat. Then it was finally time for GLA Got Talent. The show was full of amazing performances, and everyone’s energy was so supportive. Our favorite moment was definitely Cameron’s singing—it was incredible! We ended the night with a dance party, which was the perfect way to wrap up the day. It feels like time is flying by, and each day just keeps getting better. Looking back, we’re so grateful for the experiences we’re having and the memories we’re creating.

By: Zara, Tiago, Luna

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BLOG POST FOR JUNE 14

Today we began our 7th day of our GLA Costa Rica trip with an optional morning run on the beach. We spent our time doing challenging service work. The Verdiazul and GEA groups split up to pick up trash on the beach, learn about microplastics, and how non sustainable materials affect the environment. Verdiazul finished their erosion control project and the GEA finished their beach and forest cleanup.

Then we traveled to a local sustainable farm, which used whey, goats, and geese to insinuate a sustainable circle of life. We learned about the ways of Costa Rican farmers, which included milking, feeding, petting and even learned about the environmental effects of the Tica plants to the crops.

Finally, we ended this great day with an amazing chow circle, and the best mentor groups yet. See you tomorrow!

By Riley L., Mansour A., Taylor C

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BLOG POST FOR JUNE 15

Today, we traveled to Tamarindo Beach for an exciting catamaran adventure with hopes of snorkeling. Although the weather didn’t cooperate—bringing rain, storms, and murky waters that canceled our snorkeling plans—we still had an incredible time swimming and jumping in the waves.

The boat ride back was rough, with rain pouring down, but we embraced the adventure and made the most of it. Once we returned to home base, we were warmly welcomed by locals who shared their stories and offered us their homemade goods—everything from ice cream and bracelets to bathing suits and more.

We wrapped up the evening with our usual “chow circle,” followed by a delicious dinner and a lively round of Jeopardy between our tribes. Despite the weather, it was a day full of fun, connection, and unforgettable memories.

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BLOG POST FOR JUNE 16

Hi blog! Today was another great day and also the last day of service! The verdiazul group finished their project while the GEA group picked up trash on the beach. While it is sad to say goodbye to Costa Rica and this experience we can’t wait to see our families and homes!

By Stella, Eli, Jade, and Caleb

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:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Blog updates received late in the evening or overnight will be posted the following day.
4. Blog updates received on weekends may not be posted until Monday.
5. 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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Click here to jump down to the most recent post!

BLOG POST FOR JULY 19

Buenos días from Costa Rica! Emily here, the Animal Rescue Veterinary Project’s International Director! I am thrilled to report that our students have arrived in the beautiful country of Costa Rica! 🇨🇷

Karli, Cassidy, Ella, Ellie, Sophy and arrived early in the morning and spent the day with Ella walking around our amazing hotel called Lands in Love.

The rest of the group arrived later throughout the day. When we arrived at the hotel, we had dinner and played some games to learn each other’s names and get to know one another. We’re excited to meet Evelyn and Miles when they get to the hotel, as their flights are arriving a bit later than everyone else.

Tomorrow we are looking forward to orientation, swimming in the pool, and meeting some of the animals we will be working with!

Hasta mañana,
Emily!

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BLOG POST FOR JULY 20

Pura vida everyone!

Today we were the leaders (Jordan and Cassidy). We started off the day with breakfast and then went to the conference room, Adrian lead everyone with physical and vocal exercises to wake everyone up, then began orientation. We divided orientation into different sections and would take breaks or on one of our breaks we went ahead and took the tour of the lands in love hotel. we got to see horses, dogs, cats, ducks, goats, and we got to see a pond. We both coordinated group photos for the day and then continued orientation. At the end of orientation we wrote down our values on a paper with a tree and explained why these are our values. Then we led a game for everyone to play. After we finished orientation we ate lunch, enjoying traditional foods of costa rica. We then did our swim checks and health checks and had downtime until dinner. After dinner we had a guest speaker come in, Samantha. She taught us about Costa Rica’s slang, culture, economy, and much more! We are so happy with how our first official day went and can’t wait to learn more!!

-Jordan and Cassidy

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BLOG POST FOR JULY 21

The day started off with the group having breakfast, however they weren’t all together. The volunteer work for the dogs group consisted of walking and playing with them. The horses group cleaned the stables and brushed the horses, and to help the cats the students cleaned their cages and their dishes.

At lunch, we had the leaders choose seats and we picked our delicious meals in advance so we would all be happy with the food. After lunch, we had some downtime before going to our next destination so we played card games and chatted and showered before then. We then went and got food and drinks and any other items that would make our awesome trip better.

Once we were done shopping, we got back on the bus to go to a soccer/football game with an amazing local team. We had a really fun time playing with them and cheering each other on even though we lost by a lot (10-2). When we got back, we ate a yummy dinner filled with laughs and bonding and then got back to our rooms to get comfortable and clean before going to mentor groups. At the groups, we recapped our day as well as brought important items that meant a lot to us or symbolized something meaningful and we shared about it. After that, we came back to our rooms to sleep and prepare for the next amazing day!

– Taz and Charlie

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BLOG POST FOR JULY 22

We started off our day with a lovely breakfast. We then did our service with dogs, cats and horses.

The service with the cats included cleaning and organising the cages as well as cuddling the cats.

The service with dogs included a bright and early wake up to walk some excited dogs. Then after having breakfast , they visited the rehabilitation centre and said hello to lots of friendly dogs.

The service with horses involved cleaning their stables as well as some beautiful braiding of their manes. We also had the opportunity to wash the horses and feed them hay.

After a delicious lunch we then headed out to a splendid cooking class where we learnt how to make traditional empanadas which was an unforgettable experience.

As we arrived back to Lands in love, we participated in a team bonding leadership base surrounding the topic of Social Media, and its effects on society.

Then we headed to dinner and afterwards had the lovely guest speaker, Samantha, introduce us to the Biodiversity of Costa Rica.

Gracias!

Hannah and Sophy

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BLOG POST FOR JULY 23

Good evening from the Costa Rica Animal Rescue Initiative, today was an activity day! We started off the day with a chocolate tour, where we learned about the process of chocolate being created and tasted many chocolate combinations. Shout out to our tour guide, Chapó Guapo, for being such an awesome person while we walked through the cacao journey. After the tour, we went off to some beautiful hot springs. While we were there, we hung around in the naturally warmed pools and slid down the water slides, overall having a blast. On the way back to homebase, we stopped at a souvenir shop. At homebase after dinner, we had a group game night where we played games like Night at the Museum and Poison Dart Frog, which really helped us all hang out. Today was a great day and we wish you a goodnight.

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BLOG POST FOR JULY 24

Hi! It’s Ella and Miles!

This morning Miles did wake up knocks, and then everyone enjoyed a lovely breakfast prepared by the lands and love cooks.

After breakfast we split up and did our service: Caring for the horses, helping with the cats and walking the dogs.

After lunch we had some free time to swim in the pool, visiting the special needs animals, and relax.

We had dinner then an amazing dance class where we learned three different styles of tropical dancing like salsa, bachata and costarican “swing criollo”.

We ended the night hanging out with friends and packing for the morning move.

We are excited for what is next.

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BLOG POST FOR JULY 25

Hola! Today we woke up at 7:30 and packed our bags as we headed to a new home base. We had a delicious last breakfast at Land in Love. It was a bittersweet moment for all of us as we had to say goodbye to the staff and animals. At 9 o’clock we headed to our new location. With a long 5 hour bus drive ahead of us we sang songs and stopped for snacks. Once we got to Liberia we ate a delicious lunch and had our Vida orientation. The Vida orientation included a run down of what our next few days would look like at the clinic. We stopped at Walmart to stock up on yummy snacks and necessities.

We ended the day with dinner and mentor groups.

– Neeva and Ellie!

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BLOG POST FOR JULY 26

Hey! How you doing, today? This morning we woke up at 6:30am, and had a delicious breakfast that includes waffles, eggs, and some gallo pinto. We started our first day of volunteering in Liberia with the Vida team at 8:30 this morning.

We started by helping the Vida team set up their clinic, helping them set up tabled, labeling instruments, and much more. As we finished setting up, the first few patients started to show up. We helped the Vida team settle our patients, the cats and dogs, as they started their procedures. As the patients were undergoing surgery we were able to watch the animals undergo surgery.

Once service was over we headed over to lunch at 1. After a long and hard working day we had a few hours of free time. As well as a strong debate between students, concerning the issue of animal rights within different communities. To end the day, we had a delicious pizza and pool party. The perfect way to end a hard working day.

– Lila and Nejhae –

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BLOG POST FOR JULY 27

Hello my dear blog-readers!!!! This is Evie (and Jake), and I am going to tell you about our day today! Firstly, Jake and I woke up at the ripe hour of 6 in order to go around to all the rooms and make sure that everyone was awake and getting ready for the day! As he and I walked around the quiet halls, we discussed our excitement to participate in service today; today’s service would be the same as yesterday’s, meaning we would be helping out with spade and neuter surgeries at Vita’s makeshift veterinary clinic. Following everyone getting ready for the day and building up their eagerness to help out the community again, we all went downstairs to go fuel ourselves up with some gallo pinto, eggs, grilled plantains, and watermelon.

After eating all of the yummy food and talking with each other for about 45 minutes, we headed onto the bus to make our way to service. The 15-minute bus ride shortly came to an end, and before we knew it, we were setting up the clinic. Over the next 5 or so hours, we helped a total of 8 dogs and cats as they underwent their spay and neuter surgeries. From prepping them for surgery during intake to monitoring them as they arose from the anesthesia and cleaning them up during outtake, we assisted them every step of the way.

After all of the animals were done with their surgeries and the clinic materials were packed back up, we reloaded the bus and headed go lunch. We had rice and beans, pork, and salad. While we were all focused on playing a fun game of telephone, our amazing mentor Mae Mae vanished! Nevertheless, we carried on with our day and got ready to go to a lagoon river pond thing!! Once it hit 2:30pm, we hit the road! The drive was about 30 mins (though we were told it was going to be an hour!), and once we arrived, we couldn’t wait to jump right in! In addition to just swimming around, there was also a rope swing and a cliff to jump into the water from! It was a very exciting 2 hours, complete with meeting new Costa Rican friends 🙂

After our time at the water was over, we headed back to the hotel. We got some time to shower and chill, then proceeded to make our way to dinner, which consisted of spaghetti with bolognese or alfredo sauce, garlic bread, and salad. After we finished all of our food, we went back to the hotel for a couple hours of free time before we dozed off to sleep to get well-rested for our big day tomorrow at the Catamaran!

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BLOG POST FOR JULY 28

We started our day extra early with breakfast at 6am. We had gallo pinto, eggs, waffles and fruit. After an hour and a half drive we arrived at the beach and met the crew who would be taking us out on a catamaran.

On the way out we saw dolphins and a turtle. After anchoring some people went snorkeling while others swam by the boat. There was a starfish, many sea urchins on the rocks, small fish, and a puffer fish that we got to touch. Others took out a paddle board and kayak. Everyone got back on the boat to have an amazing lunch consisting of burritos with eggs beans and rice, a pasta salad, chips, fruit and cookies! As we finished our meals we headed back to the beach where we got back on the buses and headed to another souvenir shop. A lot of people got bracelets and things to bring back.

Next was a much appreciated trip to starbucks and subway. After Subway and Starbucks, we headed back to the hotel and had some free time to refresh ourselves. Then after a relaxing hour of free time, we headed over to dinner where we had nachos! We ended the day with mentor groups. The mentor groups showed us a valuable lesson about how different upbringings create different needs, which reflects on what we see here during our service. Then we had some more time to relax before going to bed.

-Elise and Bentley

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BLOG POST FOR JULY 29

Hello GLA parents, we started our day off today by waking up at 5:45 and getting to breakfast at 6:00. For breakfast we enjoyed eggs, cereal, and beans and rice. After breakfast we got on the buses to go to Vida, once we got to Vida we helped the workers during surgeries and watched.

Additionally, we helped take care of the animals pre and post surgeries. We also helped prepare and clean the tables and supplies needed for the animals. After our shift at Vida we went back to the hotels to shower and prepare for our additional service. Then we left for lunch where we had chicken beans and rice, and vegetables.

We then drove to the wildlife rehabilitation center and got a tour of the animals they keep, like ocelots, macaws, parrots, and finger monkeys. We broke into 3 different groups; diggings sand, collecting branches for the parrots, and cleaning the crocodile pond. After service, we got some time to rest at the hotel, taking showers and decompressing. At 6:00, we got dinner of hot dogs, rice, beans, and fries. And as a treat we went to McDonald’s and Taco Bell. Adios!

— Jackson & Katherine

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BLOG POST FOR JULY 30

Today, we woke up at 6 for breakfast for our last day with Vida. After breakfast we continued our work with Vida, prepping animals for surgery and watching surgeries. We did this until 10:30 and after service we went back to our home base to take showers and get ready for zip lining and lunch. We had lunch at 1. At 2 pm, we boarded the busses and set off on the 1 1/2 hour bus ride to a zip lining course! We got strapped into our helmets and harnesses and began on the first zipline of the adventure! We went on many ziplines during our time, and even got to rappel down to the bottom of a rock wall and climb back up! We concluded zip lining with a visit to the gift shop, then got ready for the long journey back to the hotel. We had some time to shower and freshen up, then had a wonderful dinner! We finished our night with a leadership activity and some free time before curfew.

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:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Blog updates received late in the evening or overnight will be posted the following day.
4. Blog updates received on weekends may not be posted until Monday.
5. 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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Click here to jump down to the most recent post!

BLOG POST FOR JULY 2

Buenos Días!

Emily here, ARVP’s International Director! We had students trickle in throughout the day, starting at 7am and ending at 8pm! We spent the day eating delicious vegan food at Lands in Love, playing get to know you games, and walking around the hotel.

Throughout the day, we got to know each other and learned about where each other is from. We can’t wait for an amazing two weeks in beautiful Costa Rica working with animals!!!

Pura Vida,
Emily

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BLOG POST FOR JULY 3

This is Adam and Toni writing to you about our amazing first day in Costa Rica with GLA! We had an amazing time at orientation where we learned about the exciting content of our trip. Then we enjoyed a fabulous vegan lunch, and took a tour of the gorgeous resort. We saw a wide variety of cute animals from dogs, to goats. Then we completed a swim test. We had a fun time playing all sorts of interesting games as a group. It was a great opportunity to get to know each other. After dinner we had an engaging presentation from Samantha where we learned about Costa Rica’s rich culture and heritage. It was a fabulous first day and we cannot wait for the rest of our trip!

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BLOG POST FOR JULY 4

Pura Vida from Costa Rica!

Today we started our first day of service at Lands in Love. The Dog group walked about 90+ dogs today and had fun with them in a field. The Cat group cleaned out the enclosures and got to have cuddle time. The Horse group cleaned out stables, fed, and washed the horses.

In addition, everyone played a game of soccer with the local kids (which we of course lost SPECTACULARLY) preceded by a trip to Walmart for some Costa Rican snacks!

Te amo,
Emery and Sofia

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BLOG POST FOR JULY 5

Hola! It’s Lily and Isabella, today was very eventful. After a delicious breakfast of arroz con leche, we moved on to our service groups for today! After service we had another great meal before heading off to a local cooking class where we learned how to make tortillas and traditional empanadas filled with beans, both equally scrumptious. We then had some free time before dinner, once we finished, we had a lovely guest speaker called Samantha who talked about the Costa Rica biodiversity which was super interesting! We are going to go to sleep early in anticipation for the fun day of hot springs and chocolate tour tomorrow.

Pura vida!

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BLOG POST FOR JULY 6

Hey GLA families! Today was extremely fun and busy. We had a day off of service and were given a wonderful tour of a chocolate factory. There we were walked through the whole process and made our own delicious treats.

We then had lunch at the Baldi Hot Springs and had a blast at the various pools and water slides.

To finish off our day, we had a great dinner prepared by the Lands in Love chefs then celebrated Caz’s birthday with some chocolate cake and gifts. We then went to bed tired-out from a very fun dance lesson.

Mucho gusto,

Isa and Reagan!

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BLOG POST FOR JULY 7

Hi it’s Lila! Today we woke up early cleaning trails for Lands in Love. Halfway through the hike we were led to a super pretty and humongous waterfall!!! We had such a fun time exploring and taking awesome pictures. After we had a great breakfast and some fun free time hanging out spent playing many rounds of werewolf with the group. Then we had an interesting lesson about phone use right before lunch. Later, we had an amazing tour of all the animals with one of the very sweet founders of the rescue. We saw all of their special needs animals and learned all about how they rescued them and now care for them. We even got to meet some of the paralyzed dogs and hear about their recovery journeys. We ended the night with dinner and reflecting on the animals with our mentor groups. We can’t wait for the next half of the trip!

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BLOG POST FOR JULY 8

Hi, it’s Katia and Caitlyn, the leaders of the day today! We started out with an early breakfast before starting our 5 hour car ride to the next home base, Hotel Wilson. We ate lunch at an outdoor restaurant and had an orientation with the Vida team with expectations for the next few days of service. After lunch and orientation, we checked into the hotel and had free time where we could hang out in our rooms or by the pool. We returned to the same restaurant spot for dinner and enjoyed hamburgers and fries. After dinner, we drove to a church where we had a leadership activity about SMART goals. Finally, we walked backed to our hotel to get ready for our first day of service with Vida tomorrow.

Much love,
Caitlyn and Katia

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BLOG POST FOR JULY 9

Hello everyone! Georgie and Katie here!

Today was an interesting and phenomenal day as we worked beside the vets, overlooking surgeries and helping with intake and recovery. We learned so much from watching the team up close. Later on, we had a debate about animal welfare, which opened our minds and led to some really passionate conversations.

In the evening, we wrapped up with a refreshing night swim, and now we’re feeling grateful and excited for service and a waterfall hike tomorrow!

Much love, Georgie and Katie

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BLOG POST FOR JULY 10

Hola again!! This is Anna Kate and Abby reporting from Liberia. We started service around 8 this morning after a filling breakfast at the hotel. We watched surgeries, assisted with intake and helped animals in recovery. It was a hot and hard few hours, but like always, we enjoyed this opportunity to help animals in need. After lunch we went to a little waterfall and natural springs where we cooled off.

Tonight we went to a park after dinner where we participated in a few group discussions and explored the area. We can’t wait for another fun-filled day tomorrow!!

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BLOG POST FOR JULY 11

Hi everyone it’s London & Dexter!

Today we woke up pretty early, at around 5:30 AM. It turned out to be all worth it because we went out to sea on a boat with the GLA group. We had about an hour long boat drive to the first spot that we stopped and on the way we saw lots of dolphins. We went snorkeling and got to see lots of cool and fun sea creatures like starfish, pufferfish, and a sting ray.

After we were done with that we had lots of time to chill and have fun on the boat while driving back to shore. After we got back to where we were staying we had some down time. Then we got right back into it with an activity where we all draw about what a community looks like to us. After that we got ice cream which was super good. Then we went to bed and got a good nights rest after a super fun day!

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BLOG POST FOR JULY 12

Pura Vida from Ry & Caz!

We started our morning early with a yummy hotel breakfast before heading off to do service with Vida. We got to watch surgeries, help prep animals for their procedures, and support them through recovery, it was such an incredible experience.

After lunch, we visited another service site where we toured the grounds, met the animals, and learned so much. Then we helped clear leaves and sticks from the paths and enclosures to support the staff and keep things tidy.

To end the day, we grabbed a little treat from Starbucks, enjoyed a delicious dinner, and made our way back to the hotel. Can’t wait for another day of learning and service with Vida tomorrow!

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BLOG POST FOR JULY 13

Hello from Costa Rica!

Today we had our final day of VIDA service. At the end of our service, we were able to give away all of the extra snacks to the local children. We had our final goodbyes with the VIDA team.

In the afternoon, we had fun doing a zipline and rock climbing course and finished our day off by setting goals for the upcoming year and reflecting on all of our time spent here in Costa Rica.

Muchas Gracias,
Adam and Sofia

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BLOG POST FOR JULY 14

Hey guys it’s Karie and Lila!

Today was our last day here in Costa Rica, but nevertheless one to remember. We started the day off by eating breakfast at the hotel before departing off to our new hotel near the airport. After a long 5 hour bus ride with a quick stop for ice cream and milk shakes, we finally made it to the hotel.

We then had lunch and fun leadership activities. We reflected on our trip by writing notes to each other and participating in an appreciation circle. After that, we all went back to our rooms and got ready for our farewell dinner.

During the farewell dinner, we had time to discuss our amazing experiences during the past two weeks. And after many tears and sad goodbyes, we headed back to our rooms to pack for our flights tomorrow. This final day revealed to us how close we all got to each other. We speak for everyone when we say we are all so so grateful for this experience that allowed us to make friends for life.

Love, Katie and Lila