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 JULY 12

The students arrived Saturday morning in three waves and we headed to Hotel Cypresal, a lodge-type hotel in the mountains with an epic view of San Jose. They had lunch and settled into their rooms. Before dinner we had some group games and icebreakers before a tasty dinner. The students were already off to a great start socializing and excited for the upcoming program.

---

BLOG POST FOR JULY 13

On Sunday we started the morning with a breakfast with a view, followed by our GLA orientation and more games to get to know each other. In the afternoon we did our swim tests and health checks then took a little excursion to Heredia and Barva, two towns nearby.

In the main square of Heredia we enjoyed a local celebration of dancing and music for Costa Rican Independence Day. We visited a small museum, historic church, got ice cream, walked around the park, and headed to a supermarket for snacks. Next we stopped at a second park where half of our student played a game up pickup basketball with some locals!

After dinner we had our first mentor group session where the students identified and discussed their values. Then we returned their phones which they were eager to have after their first full day without them! The students unwinded and headed to bed tired after a full day.

-Kyle, International Director

---

BLOG POST FOR JULY 14

Today at Global Leadership Adventures we started the morning off with breakfast at our hotel. After packing up we took the bus to La Paz waterfall and animal sanctuary and spent a couple hours exploring, the animals and wildlife. We also took a challenging walk to a several beautiful waterfalls that consisted of about 800 steps!

After we had a short two hour bus ride to homebase where we received a tour of the location and explored our living space. We met the staff, including the chef and the owner of our residence. Later we had a fun scavenger hunt around the residence. That was followed by dinner with pasta, rice and beans, and pineapple juice. We all came together as a group to clean dishes and later had a meaningful mentor group going over our goal setting mentality. We resonated with a few questions and wrote a letter to our future self reflecting on our SMART goals (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time bound) and expectations for the program. We then spent time together discussing our goals. We then went our separate ways and went to bed. Today was a great day 3!!

– Lexi S. & Sarah

---

BLOG POST FOR JULY 15

We started the morning with a delicious breakfast consisting of eggs, Gallo Pinto, and more! Next the group took a walk around the rural neighborhood while preforming a blindfolded trust exercise on the way home. Before lunch we split into our volunteer groups and created a volunteer plan for tomorrow’s initiative activity. Then many campers swam and kayaked down by the lake while also enjoying the view. After the lake Don Alfredo (the owner) led a cooking class in making empanadas! Lastly we ended our day with an important Spanish lesson lead by Marbella (Local Director). The students unwinded and headed to bed after an eventful day at home base.

– Gwen & Micah

---

BLOG POST FOR JULY 16

We started off the day with a delicious breakfast. We had eggs, gallo pinto, and banana pancakes.. After we ate, we went to the local school and taught students a variety of new games as well as new English words.

After we spent time at the school, we went back to home base and ate lunch, which consisted of a type of Hawaiian grilled pork, accompanied by fried potatoes, and a delectable salad.

After lunch we went to a pineapple farm and learned new things about how pineapples are grown, and were definitely the best us campers have ever tasted. For dinner we had Burgers and fries, a classic for our campers. To end the night, we shared our highlights from the day, and prepped for what’s to come in the next few days.

– Lucas & Meredith

---

BLOG POST FOR JULY 17

This morning, we ate a yummy breakfast consisting of gallo pinto, breakfast meat, eggs, toast, and fruit. We then made our way to the school, where we broke into three groups to play summer camp activities. We played hot potato, freeze dance, duck duck goose, and more.

After spending the morning with the kids, we headed back to home base for a lunch of chicken, rice and beans, and fruit. Then, we drove to a chocolate and coffee tour, where we learned about coffee and chocolate production in Costa Rica, as well as sampled fresh chocolate and coffee. Costa Rica is 13th in coffee production. After returning, we ate a delicious dinner of burritos, rice and beans, and salad.

– Kailen & Leila

---

BLOG POST FOR JULY 18

On Friday our students ate breakfast and headed to the local elementary school for service work providing “summer camp” activities with the children. They had a great time playing, teaching, and interacting with the local children.

After lunch we had our community soccer game. We split into two teams mixing with new local friends from the neighborhood of our home base. We had a blast running and scoring goals, and the competitiveness of some of our students really showed! We spent several hours there before returning for dinner, rest, and lights out after a tiring day.

– Kyle, International Director

---

BLOG POST FOR JULY 19

Today we had an adventurous day doing tubing at La Fortuna. We ate breakfast at 7:30 and left at 8:15 for tubing. From 9:30 to about 12:00 the group faced 5 rapids and exciting obstacles. After tubing we had lunch in town nearby and had pizza with various drinks. Although most of the group was tired following tubing we still enjoyed some shopping at the local boutiques and bought souvenirs. By 4:30 we left town and headed back to home base to get ready for our debate. At 5:30 we had our debate about pineapple farming to explore possible solutions to the side effects of pesticides. Lastly after the debate we had dinner and had free time to get ready for tomorrow.

– Kaylee & Anne Sophie

---

BLOG POST FOR JULY 20

Yesterday we had an early wake up call and headed on the bus to the hot springs in La Fortuna. Everyone enjoyed the relaxing hot springs and thrilling water slides. We had a delicious buffet lunch at the resort and got back on the bus to go to the home base.

When we got home we had a dance lesson with an instructor. We learned batchata, salsa and merange. After that we had a chill evening, had dinner and went to bed.

-Georgia

---

BLOG POST FOR JULY 21

Today we woke up and had our usual breakfast before heading onto the bus to visit the school. Once we got there we got into three rotating groups where we painted, worked on the garden and helped the students with their cross country race by supporting them and handing out waters!

Then we headed back to home base to enjoy another delicious meal before we got some free time at the lake with some of the local children. Afterwards we had our daily chow circle which led into dinner. To finish off our fun today we watched The Greatest Showman on the big screen TV were we got to all sing along and relax for the night.

-Natalie

---

BLOG POST FOR JULY 22

On our second to last day at homebase, we started off the morning with breakfast. Before going to our service at the school where we switched off in rotations with gardening and helping the school celebrate back to school. We arrived home early due to the heavy rain and started with our English lessson plans for the following day. We had a lovely lunch and went to a farm to learn about the producation of milk and how to milk a cow. We also explored all the animals on the farm and were given a cup of fresh homemade hot chocolate, cheese and tortillas. We then had time to rest before dinner to pratice our acts for the talent show.

After dinner the talent show began and Maia, Maya, Sarah, and Kaylee took the victory with their slam poetry. Following the talent show we had a movie night before going our separate ways to bed. What a great day to spend with GLA!

-Lexi S

---

BLOG POST FOR JULY 23

July 23rd marked our final day of service at the school in Santa Teresa. We began the morning with an early breakfast at 7:00am and departed for the school around 7:30am. Upon arrival, we got settled and stored our belongings, ready to make the most of our last day of service.

Our group was split in two: while one half taught English lessons, the other worked alongside the school gardener, helping with weeding, planting, and clearing rocks to support the garden’s growth.

Group 1 — Lexi, Maia, Kaylee, Georgia, Alexis, Madeline, Sarah, and Maya — led a lesson with four 1st-grade students. We covered introductions , weather, days of the week, and months of the year, reinforcing familiar concepts while introducing new ones in a fun, interactive way.

Meanwhile, Group 2 — Sam, Micah, Meredith, Gwen, Lucas, Ann Sophie, Kailen, and Leila — contributed in the garden, assisting wherever needed. After an hour, the groups switched. Group 2 taught a 3rd-grade class about the human body, while Group 1 jumped into the garden work.

It was a powerful and emotional final service day filled with dedication, connection, and impact.

Afterward, we returned to home base to begin packing and preparing for our departure. That evening, we wrapped up our time together at home base with a fun-filled night of s’mores and karaoke, a perfect, light-hearted way to celebrate the journey we’ve shared.

-Sarah

---

BLOG POST FOR JULY 24 & 25

On Friday morning we loaded the buseta with our suitcases and said farewell to our Home Base. We said goodbye to our support staff Don Alfredo, Doña Ibania , and Don Freddie then hit the road.

Our next stop was the excursion everyone had been waiting for – ziplining! We strapped up and soared through the sky in a thrilling course up in the tree canopies. Also we overcame our fears on the optional “Tarzan swing”. After ziplining we drove the rest of the way to San Jose for free time and our final night at Robledal hotel.

The students dressed up nice and took pictures before our farewell dinner. After dinner we had our heartwarming “appreciation circle” exercise, followed by a piñata. Later that night we had our first wave of airport departures followed by a second at the crack of dawn. The remaining students enjoyed a final breakfast before heading off the the airport on Friday.

The time has finally come to end our two-week program. To everyone we all said one more “¡Hasta luego! “See you later”, not “goodbye”! 🙂 The students, I think, wrapped up feeling great about the program. Our group stayed engaged and close-knit, smiling and laughing until the final hours.

I’m left reflecting on the past 14 days… The valuable service work in a local school and seeing our teens gain confidence and show leadership in the classroom teaching English! The incredible excursions – pineapple farms, extreme tubing through the jungle, waterfalls, lo even milking a cow to name just a few. The valuable leadership themes we learned about, goal-setting. All of the Spanish rhey practiced. The friendships made between the students, the fun days relaxing at the Home Base, adapting to a new culture and environments, and staying positive through life’s uncertainties!

As an educator, one of my greatest rewards is helping students open their minds, and hearts to new things. I witnessed each and every student step out of their comfort zone, try new things, and challenge themselves in many ways. Aside from all the fun memories, I truly hope this experience will have a lasting impact on their lives as they become young adults. It may not be obvious right away, but the impact will continue to show itself. As they grow, I hope they take these experiences with them, instilling humility, gratitude, curiosity, leadership, adventure, and a call to service in their lives. Call me cheesy, but I know they all can really “Be the change” in their own communities. Best of luck to everyone and thanks for a lovely two weeks!

– Kyle International Director

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 JULY 30

Students arrived today and the anticipación of getting to home base was finally setting in after a couple of hours of waiting for the rest of our members to land. As we continued to trickle in, some.of us got the chance to head to our home base earlier than others. Peace Retreat is a retreat for sure, it’s beautiful greenery amazed us and the sense of calmness cane over us.

As we anticipated the arrival of the rest of our team, we were all greeted by the great sounds of nature along with the laughter of many friends that would soon become our family members for the next 14 days. Tomorrow is an exciting say as we will start our journey, but for now all we can do is rest after a long day of traveling.

---

BLOG POST FOR JULY 31

Pura vida from Costa Rica!

Today we had a a leisurely morning with a late start. After a big travel day, everybody was so ready to experience what Costa Rica has to offer! Today started with a big splash as everybody completed their swimming lessons. Following this was opening orientation as we learned a lot about the island and what it has to offer. Tiffany emerged us in the Costa Rican lifestyle as we got to experience new fruits.

After finding some new favs we got to enjoy an amazing lunch provided by the staff. Soon after we found ourselves back in the pool, seeing who could make the biggest splash.

Then we headed off to a local park to play some kickball and basketball. After the sweatiest kickball game of our lives, we went back to home base to reset. Followed by the most anticipated part of the day, the the beach sunset, which took our breaths away. Finally back to home base for dinner and our first leadership sessions.

Luke and Becca out!

---

BLOG POST FOR AUGUST 1

Today, August 1st at GLA camp, we started our day with fresh-squeezed fruit juice, a juicy, warm omelette, and in place of a ‘dessert,’ a fruitcake! The meal was thoroughly enjoyed by the members of the group, and all were satisfied and ready to surf. When arrived at said site for our surf lessons, everyone was jittery with an anticipation for the lesson. Everyone caught a wave, everyone was able to stand up thanks to the helpful coaches provided.

Afterwards, we reenergized with a smoothie from a local restaurant, and half the group indulged in a soccer game!

At free time, most people either took a nap for an extra rejuvenation, or used up the remaining energy at the pool. There were burgers for lunch, and then the group learned about the earth at our mangrove walk. We saw plenty of wildlife including howler monkeys, various species of crabs, sand dollars, and plenty of snails. It rained a few times during the walk through nature, but to be honest? It was refreshing! There really is nothing to complain about here.

We finished the day off with a nice beef stew and salad, with an extra option for soup. Afterwards, we split into our mentor groups. My group (Noah) played a family game where we had to guess other people’s fake names. You guessed the right person you joined their family. The person with the most family members wins. We also wrote a message to our future self on our achievable goals. It was a fun day. 🙂

---

BLOG POST FOR AUGUST 2

The day started off early as we ate eggs and rice and beans. After breakfast, we took a short bus ride to one of the most sustainable ranches in Costa Rica. When we got there, we toured the property and greeted the pigs, chickens, goats, and dogs. We then all took a turn milking Bubbles, the female goat. We then all drank a shot full of Bubbles’ milk. We started our sustainability by planting the goat’s favourite food, grass. We then practiced meditation in the studio learning to control our breaths and thoughts. After a quick dip in the pool, we stopped by a local grocery stores to pick up snacks and drinks. We then took a ride to Playa Negra, a local beach with some of the biggest waves we’ve seen. We finished the day learning about sustainability in our mentor groups.

---

BLOG POST FOR AUGUST 5

This morning, we got an extra hour of sleep to wake up to some pancakes for breakfast. After breakfast we went to our third surfing class of the trip. It was fun but a little harder because of the treacherous water. Following surfing was pizza for lunch which everyone enjoyed. After lunch the group took a small break before heading into a yoga and reflection session. In this session we discussed two different types of people which are “people pleasers” and “perfectionists.” We talked about the flaws of each type and then practiced responding to each archetype with partners. Then we finished with some spine focused stretching which symbolized strengthening our backbone which holds one’s values and self worth. Next, since our group did such a superb job in the yoga session with the teacher Kevin, we got to go to the store to buy some snacks. Right after this, we went to the field to run some soccer or “football” if that floats your boat and basketball. When we finished this, we drove back and right away had chow circle and dinner. The dinner was a hard tortilla dish with cheese sauce and it was delectable. We played some games and headed to bed.

Cohen and William

---

BLOG POST FOR AUGUST 6

This wonderful morning we ate burritos and fruit, then we left early to get to work on collecting trash. We were destined to pick up as much trash as we could because we learned that microplastics can be harmful to fish. So we walked down the beach looking for anything we could find that wasn’t made by nature. After, we got some refreshments and played a heated game of volleyball. Once we returned home we had a delicious lunch of chicken and rice. Then we had a much needed hour of rest after hard work, after getting rested we left home base to get lessons from a local women who thought us how to make empinadas from scratch. We learned how to use a metate in order to mash the corn for the empinadas. After adding some ingredients we cooked them and ate them.

After that we played a game of soccer to let out our energy before returning to chill by the pool until dinner which was our favorite spaghetti. After dinner, we went into mentor groups, and Noel instructed us through a ritual in which is done under a full moon. Where you write down things you wanna let go of and or gain, after which you symbolically place them in a fire and watch them burn. Since we’ve been such a great group, we were rewarded with s’mores after.

Tyler and Eivin

---

BLOG POST FOR AUGUST 7

Today we started with an early morning with a 7am breakfast, we ate empanadas and a fruit bowl along with eggs and other sides. After breakfast we went to Oropopo and learned more about the mangroves and the community. Afterwards we went as a group to collect trash and clean up the mangroves to clean up both the beaches and mangrove forest.

After service, we went back to the peace retreat to eat lunch and relax. For lunch we had Casado, a traditional Costa Rican dish consisting of rice, meat, beans, and plantains. Following lunch, we relaxed and then made our way to the beach for surfing. We spent an hour and a half surfing, and then another hour getting smoothies and playing soccer as a group. Next, we came back home to eat dinner which was Sweet & Sour Pork. After that we did mentor groups where we drew signs to motivate the kids during sports in 2 days.

Wyatt and Max

---

BLOG POST FOR AUGUST 8

Today we had a late morning with a breakfast of omelette and fruit at 8:30. After breakfast we headed to our last surf lesson of the trip. It’s sad to see that this trip is coming to an end. After our lesson we headed back to the peace retreat for a yummy lunch of hamburgers. Following lunch we left to go do more service. We headed to Oropopo. There we painted signs to put up in n the area to raise awareness and spread messages to help the planet. After Oropopo we went back to the peace retreat.

Later in the evening we headed out to La Esquina. La Esquina is a market where there is restaurants and many small shops and local vendors. Many of us ate dinner there and did some souvenir shopping. We headed back at 8:30 to relax for the rest of the night to have a great day tomorrow!

Until then,

Catalunya and Liv

---

BLOG POST FOR AUGUST 9

Today we had a 7am breakfast which was avocado toast, banana bread and a good orange juice. We went to the local soccer field and played soccer with all the club kids, all of them were very happy that we played with them. After we finished playing with them, we gave out signs that we created for them. All the kids were very pleased. Afterwards, we returned back to home base and enjoyed pasta.

After that we had an intense mediation where we did breath of fire breathing technique and then woke up from it and went to the beach for a sunset swim. We enjoyed another game of soccer while on the beach and then returned back to home base. On the way home we stopped to get ice cream at the soccer coach’s local shop, which he uses to fund the kids soccer club. We ate enjucados for dinner and other side dishes.

After we ate, we reflected on our goals we created when we first arrived. Then, together as a group, we created a smart goal to take home.

Hudson and Colin

---

BLOG POST FOR AUGUST 10

Between last night and this morning, we had time to pack up and move to our new Homebase. Some of us had our luggage ready to go, while others woke up early to finish packing.

At 8 a.m. we had breakfast of French toast and Gallo Pinto, and by 9 we were off on our next adventure: a four-hour drive up into the mountains of Guanacaste. The scenery changed a lot as we drove, from dry tropical forest by the coast to tropical rainforest as we climbed higher. We stopped halfway in Liberia City and grabbed some fast food since the wraps we brought weren’t exactly filling.
When we arrived, we were surrounded by huge trees and our new lodge, which has hot springs and a pool with a slide. We spent the afternoon playing in the water and just hanging out.

Dinner had a few different options, and we even got an extra pizza for the really hungry people. Tomorrow is our last full day, and we’re super hyped to go ziplining and make the most of it!

---

BLOG POST FOR AUGUST 11

This morning we woke up at 7 o’clock. Ate breakfast at the restaurant in our new hotel and set off on our riveting afternoon adventure. which entailed a hike to a waterfall through a jungle full of dinosaurs (statues) and a infamous bright blue river, where we then swam in said waterfall. After drying off from our rejuvenating swim, we then hiked to a zip lining adventure the lines were up to a mile long through the canopies of the jungle. After being rained on we came back to home base dried off, had lunch and some time to rest. Then at 3 o’clock we met for a snack hour, followed by a relaxing mud bath and natural steam room at our hotels Hot Springs. After washing off the very stinky mud and feeling silky, smooth. We had more time to rest and then we met for dinner after dinner we had our final mentor group. In which we had heartfelt goodbyes and played games of appreciation to end the very fun and meaningful session.

Eivin and Dylan

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 JULY 14

By Shay & Shane

Today was the first day in the jungle of Costa Rica. After an early breakfast everyone gathered in the studio to get to know each other and learn about the community. One of our first experiences with diving into the Costa Rican culture was getting to try some of the local fruits. Some of the fruits included rambutan, golden berries, and dragon fruit. Even though the taste of the exotic fruits wasn’t what might have been expected it was a great opportunity to immerse ourselves in the culture.

Later, after lunch we had our first encounter with the famous Playa Avellana, one of the most famous surfing beaches in the world. On the beach we were able to learn the proper form to keep us safe, from the local surf instructors. Getting in the warm water everyone got straight to surfing. Each surf instructor had two or three people keeping the experience personal. By the end everyone was able to stand and we had some great local smoothies on the way out!

---

BLOG POST FOR JULY 15

We woke up to the sound of low screaming just to walk outside and see howler monkeys in the trees. For breakfast that morning we all had a stack of delicious banana pancakes with watermelon. We listened to music on the way over to the ocean and did our second surfing lesson, where we surfed on waves much bigger than yesterday. There was no time for smoothies because we had to hurry back to camp to get ready for our mangrove tour. After quick showers, we indulged in a quick yoga session where we focused on our breathing.

Most of us took a nap while the rest of us hung around camp until lunch where we ate quesadillas. After a quick shower of bug spray, we were off to see the mangroves. After the bus ride, we got to the mangroves tour where our tour guide taught us about several kinds of bugs, including tarantulas, small honeybees and termites. We all had the opportunity to try the termites most of us chose not to. We walked over the mangroves on a bridge which led us to the beach we had surfed on earlier that day. we saw many crabs, hermit crabs, and fish. on our walk back over the mangroves, we all huddled around to try and look at a baby alligator.

Once we got back, we all got our dinner, which was a Arroz con Pollo and prepared for activities later on Half of our group sat in the yoga room and played card games while the other half set around the pool and relaxed. After mentor groups, we all got ready for bed preparing for the next exciting day.

Lgan, Nayeli

---

BLOG POST FOR JULY 16

We started the day off by waking up and eating breakfast. Today we had breakfast burritos which were pretty good. Right after we went on the bus to rancho avellanos. This farm is award winning because it is very sustainable because of how natural it is. It is a natural farm because they dont put preservatives on their food. And what they fed the animals to make anything clean. We were greeted at the farm by the owner, his daughter, and his two dogs. Then we went on a tour. On the tour we saw pigs, goats, geese, and a horse. Then we fed and milked the goats, and tried the fresh goat milk which was pretty good but warm that thur us off. Then we tried goat cheese and yogurt which was really good a d really fresh. After we each got to plant a tree and name them which was our first service fo coast rica. Then we came back to have lunch which sas chicken and rice. We had some free time to swim or nap.

After that we went to a nice local ladys house to make empanadas and play soccer which was fun. it was very eye opening to involve ourselfs in costa rican culture and very welcoming of her to let us in to her house. We then went to the shops which was also eye opening because we got to see the snacks they have in costa rica compared to where we live and the different money. We came back had dinner and then debated in our mentor group. Which was interesting to see the different sides of what each person thought.

Adrian and Kaitlin

---

BLOG POST FOR JULY 17

We woke up bright and early to the sound of the native Costa Rican birds singing in our ears. Walking out, we saw a colony ants marching two by two and finally, after much dreading, we spotted our first scorpion. To our delight, he went about his way and we went about ours eating delicious fruit bowls, carrot cake and banana bread for breakfast.

After breakfast, we loaded up the bus and made our way to Rancho Avellanas. After a quick and musical bus ride, we planted trees, mixed soil and learned more about sustainability with Giancarlos and his family. He even rewarded us for our work with some scrumptious hibiscus fruit juice.

We returned back to home base right in time for a wonderful lunch and dancing. It was time for a salsa dance lesson, where we all learned Guanacaste’s cultural dance of The Bull and later broke into groups for a dance competition. Afterwards a market came to visit, giving us the opportunity to buy souvenirs. We finished the day with a jaw-dropping sunset at the beach and dinner followed by mentor groups. We can’t wait for another exciting surfing day tomorrow!

Your leaders of the day,
Gisele and Simon

---

BLOG POST FOR JULY 18

To start off the day, we had our third surf lesson, where many of us faced challenges, due to high tide. Although some of us wiped out, we all managed to enjoy our time at the beach. After a short drive back, the team was treated to a delicious lunch at home base.

Us students were given a small break to relax after lunch, but in no time, we had a leadership development session. Included in this session, Noel taught us how to recognize our inner voices and the traits that define us. This helped understand each other and how to interact around other people.

As a reward for our undivided attention, we enjoyed an hour of free time, where we played cards and swam in the pool, which was followed by sign making for the local kids that we will see tomorrow for Sports Day.

This evening, to finish off our day, we had the amazing opportunity to go out of Home Base for dinner to experience the local community. We were able to purchase a variety of different foods, clothes, and handmade Costa Rican souvenirs. Additionally, we enjoyed a performance of a local Costa Rican singer. Overall, today was a productive and fun day, where we learned a lot about ourselves and the local community.

Jack, Iara

---

BLOG POST FOR JULY 19

We started the day at 6:45 at breakfast in the beautiful Costa Rican jungle in the hot humid air. For Breakfast we ate fresh huevos rancheros. After breakfast we made our way to a soccer field to play games with Costa Rican kids with the non profit organization. We started playing soccer and then we played more games like jumping rope, sack races, and a race with an egg on a spoon that we had to balance in our mouths. It was really cool to interact with all of the kids and practice our Spanish a little. At first some of them were a bit shy but they were all really nice and friendly kids. The club is run by a lovely couple who truly cares and loves each kid that joins. The couple provides equipment like soccer balls uniforms etc. It was all funded by the couples own pockets. Therefore being there and participating with the players truly felt like we were making an impact, not only on the children but the club itself. It felt good to provide them popsicles, chocolate, and fresh fruit as well as hand made posters made by us. As we handed out the food and drawings, the children’s faces lit up with joy.

Soon after our visits we made way back to the retreat to enjoy a nice lunch. Our lunch was followed by some down time, some went to their room to rest up others played in the pool. However we all met back up at around 2 to participate in a yoga class with Kevin. Kevin taught us about the power of how a yoga practice can allow you to ground yourself. He showed us how insecurity’s and anxiety block you from reaching your full potential and bettering your life. Kevin’s yoga class allowed us to let go by yelling what we want more in our life. The yoga class was not only inspiring but also calming. Shortly after yoga we went to playa negra for a sunset.

After an hour we went back to the van and headed back to home base. Right when we arrived we had chow circle before dinner and gave shout outs and announced the leaders for the next day. For dinner we had enyucadas which was potato on the outside and in the middle there was beef. After dinner everyone went to shower because we were sandy from the beach and then at 7:30 we needed the evening with a fun mentor group session. The session was a talent show were groups preformed and created acts to perform to the rest of the group. After the session we all went to bed and rested up for our next day adventure.

---

BLOG POST FOR JULY 20

We started our morning early at 6:45 with an absolutely scrumptious breakfast of french toast and delicious fruits. After we adventured to the barbarous boat to bask in the sun. The journey to the boat was through a bus ride led by Elvin and Carlos, our bus drivers. They kept us safe and sound while maintaining the great vibes through some sick tunes. Once we got to the boat we relaxed and stopped in a cove to take a dip. A few people swam with snorkels to examine fish and watch them swim. We had lunch on the boat followed by a trip back to land. After driving back home we ate scrumptious snacks and chillaxed around the pool. After Noelle led a breath work class, during the class we learned to focus and control our breath and connect with our bodies and minds. At the end of the class we relaxed into a quick nap lead with noel’s voice.

After we went to a local ice cream shop that’s profits go toward the nonprofit soccer league in the area. With ice cream in hand we went to the beach to watch the sunset fade beneath the sandy shoreline. While heading home in the bus we listened to more magnificent music and jammed out. When we got back we feasted on more fabulous food for dinner and enjoyed our night as a family. Today was filled with adventure and fun, making it just another successful GLA day!

---

BLOG POST FOR JULY 21

Our day began with a 7 am breakfast of eggs, beans, rice and tortillas. Shortly after breakfast, we met at the mangrove with Marcelo. We split into 2 groups, with the first group going on a walk through the mangrove, and the second group cleaning and painting wood to make signs for tourists and locals about taking care of our environment. The tide was very high, which led to a wet and muddy path through the mangrove. We cleaned, brushed and sanded the wood all before painting it and letting it dry out in the sun.

In the afternoon, we had our 4th surf lesson of the trip. The tide was pretty low, and the waves weren’t as big as previous days, but we still had fun and caught many waves.

In the evening, we enjoyed delicious beef tacos with a side of rice and soup. Shortly after, we had a leadership discussion with Noel in the studio. We learned about the importance of sportsmanship, discipline and leadership. Finally we played some games and then at 9:15 we went back to our cabins and then to bed.

Zadie & Mateo

More pics coming soon!

---

BLOG POST FOR JULY 23

After a much-appreciated lie in, we woke up to the sound of rain for the first time this trip. We ate a delicious breakfast, and then made our way to Playa Negra to participate in a beach clean up with some locals. The tide had just gone out, leaving behind plenty of microplastics for us to collect. We spent a few hours gathering as much as we could, and then finished the morning with some beach volleyball.

After spending the morning at the beach, we had a delicious lunch of pizza back at the Peace Retreat. We then headed to the beach for an afternoon surf lesson. Despite the gloomy weather and rough waves, we thoroughly enjoyed our last surfing lesson of the trip. A few of us managed to stand up for more than a few seconds, and everyone got at least one good wipeout story. We ended the day tired but happy, already looking forward to doing it all again tomorrow.

By Yasmine and Giacomo

---

BLOG POST FOR JULY 24

Today we started our wonderful morning by waking up at 7:30 am. We ate a delicious and nutritional breakfast, a local tico dish. After breakfast we did our last day of community service with Oropopo. The service was split into two groups, the first group was picking up garbage and exploring the mangroves while the other was making and painting signs for the awareness of pollution in Costa Rica. This made us feel like we were giving back to the community and the eco system.

We then went to a local field which had an area for working out, playing field sports and basketball. We all chose what we wanted to play, some of us chose basketball while others played ultimate frisbee and football. We gained a new perspective on the daily life of the locals. Getting this chance to leave the Peace Retreat let us get a lot of tension and energy out of our body.

After this we had our last meditation and breathing session. We focused on feeling a new sense of euphoria and controlling our body’s water mass by humming. We also did our usual breathing exercises which have now made us realise how much you can control your body’s capacity. We then took our final sunset trip to Playa Negra and swam in the ocean, amongst us was a turtle in the waves. We were quite sad to leave this beach but enjoyed all the memories we had made there over the course of the two weeks.

When we got back, we had our final dinner at Peace Retreat. The staff conjoined all three tables so all the students could sit together as a family dinner. We really enjoyed the effort they put into the food and the setting of the table it was a very memorable way to end our last full day at Peace Retreat!

-Clementine and Miles

---

BLOG POST FOR JULY 25

Today was a very emotional day for all of us. Sadly we had to leave behind our first home that we lived at for almost two weeks and made so many memories together. Lucky this morning we got to sleep until 8am before we got some time to finish packing.

The leaders of the day (us) had to do room checks in every single cabin to make sure nothing was left behind. Then we grabbed all of our suitcases and backpacks and hopped on the bus, awaiting a 4 hour ride. Half way through we got to take a break so we stopped at a souvenir shop and a market where we were able to buy souvenirs for our families and snacks for the second half of the ride. Then we sat back on the bus to continue our journey. Getting closer to the resort we saw a bunch of cows, horses, ginormous wind turbines, and smoking volcanoes.

Once we arrived to our new home, we were graciously welcomed with splendid strawberry daiquiris. After that we found out our roommates and went to see our new rooms. We were surprised to find air conditioning, a tv, a queen sized bed for each roommate, and a full bathroom with our own shower and sink. Then we took a slide down to the pool and went in the hot springs.

After that we freshened up and gathered around to have our second to last chow circle and dinner. We had the options of eating grilled chicken and fries, fried fish, rice and vegetables for those who are vegetarian, and lastly spaghetti pomodorro. We ended our dinner with a strawberry milk cake for desert. We ended the day with our final mentor group where we shared kind messages about each other. That was it, this beautiful day came to an end. See you tomorrow for our last day and excursion.

– Niko & Ilona

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 26

Welcome to Paradise: Student Arrival Day in Costa Rica! 🏄‍♀️⚽🌱

There’s something magical about the warm breeze, the sound of waves crashing on the Pacific Coast, and the buzz of excitement in the air—it’s Arrival Day for our Surf, Sports & Sustainability Program in Costa Rica!

Today marks the beginning of an unforgettable journey for a group of curious, courageous, and globally-minded students ready to dive into a one-of-a-kind adventure. From airports across the world to the tropical haven of Costa Rica, students arrived with backpacks full of gear and hearts full of anticipation.

Upon arrival at our eco-lodge, the group was introduced to our program staff, local partners, and each other. The lodge, built with sustainable materials and powered in part by solar energy, is a hub of inspiration. Rooms were assigned, hammocks tested, and the communal area quickly filled with laughter, card games, and curiosity.

---

BLOG POST FOR JUNE 27

Day 2 in Costa Rica was amazing. We spent the morning hanging out, playing games, and getting to know each other better. Some of us relaxed in hammocks, others tossed a frisbee or kicked around a soccer ball. It was super laid-back, and everyone was just enjoying the warm weather and each other’s company.

Our surfing session was at 1, and we split into small groups to hit the waves. The beach was beautiful, and the water felt amazing. After surfing, the bus ride back was full of energy—loud music, fun games, and nonstop laughs. We’re only two days in, but it already feels like this group has known each other forever.

---

BLOG POST FOR JUNE 28

It was only our third day in Costa Rica, but it was our first day getting a taste of some of the service work we’ll be completing throughout this trip! We started our day with a delicious egg fried rice for breakfast, and began with an early morning hitting the beach right away for a morning surf session. It was a great way to wake ourself up and start the day off with a tropical bang. We continued getting to know our surf instructors and even though it’s only our second day hitting the waves everyone has already improved so much.

We followed that by a few fun relaxing hours by the pool, filled with volleyball, smoothies and lots of laughs! A tasty pasta for lunch and we were back off into the Costa Rican community. We headed into the oldest hotel in the local community and had the opportunity to learn all about the surrounding ecosystems. Filled with a termite taste test, a tarantula sighting, and lots of crabs, we learned so much about the wildlife around us. Walking our way to the coast, we walked across a long wooden bridge exploring the mangroves as we went. Learning about the biodiverse community when we will be spending a few days aiding in the combat of modern colonization and reduction of biodiversity in the ecosystem.

We learned a lot about the importance of keeping our beaches public and the reality’s of tourism’s effects on the local community. We also made the connection of leadership to mangroves, by discussing how the mangroves sacrifice their own leaves for the betterment of its ecosystem. Overall through the first three days, this group has really started to become a family and embracing this new environment!

Signed – your leaders of the day,
Ava + Henry

---

BLOG POST FOR JUNE 29

Day 4 was full of new experiences and new friends. We started our day with delicious French toast for breakfast. After breakfast we explored our second service location at the only Blue Flag certified goat farm in Costa Rica. This family business was rewarded for being sustainability oriented and has amazing goat products like cheese, yogurt, and milk. It was inspirational to see their two children step up for leadership at such a young age. We also planted trees at their local farm. After our hard work in the sun planting new trees we worded up and appetite got some snacks and drinks from the local market.

After our trip to the local market we had fried rice and herbal salad for lunch. Before our leadership activity we took a dip in the pool and some of us got in a quick lift. Our leaderships activity focused on the different aspects of leadership and areas we can improve.

We finished our day with a picturesque walk on the beach with plenty of photos and games. After a long day everyone enjoyed our final meal. Dinner was delicious and full of chicken wings, rice, and soup. Finally we had a conversation as a group about the effects of ecotourism and the role we play as sustainable travelers.

Today was a great day full of learning and exploring, we loved being LOD’s.

Love,

Zoe & Matthew

---

BLOG POST FOR JUNE 30

Greetings and salutations parents,

today was our fifth day in Costa Rica. We started off our day by going to Rancho Avellanos, a sustainable goat farm that sells goat byproducts. We had taken a tour of the farm the previous day so we were already familiarized with the property and the processes of the farm. Today our group of 17 students helped sustain soil in the ecosystem, and plant an uncountable amount of trees. Along with scooping goat droppings and transporting them to the compost to act as fertilizer. We all alternated stations so we all got to experience each job. We did this for three hours and a half from 8-11:30. We followed this with a nutritious lunch and some limited resting time. After this, we made our way to the beach for our third surfing lesson. The students improved exponentially and even a select few were able to surf by themselves without instructors. We continued this for around an hour and a half and followed it up with smoothies from the restaurant on the beach. After this we returned to home base and had a little down time. Then we had a collective conversation about social aspects of this trip. After this we dove straight into dinner and ate delicious chicken with rice topped with a creamy mushroom sauce. Shortly after we all collaborated on designing posters for sports day tomorrow. We wrote encouraging messages in Spanish for the local kids to enjoy. Then we played a quick game of charades and then settled out for the night wrapping up a magnificent action packed day. This was one for the books. Pura vida!

Sincerely,
Your leaders of the day, Maxwell and Marcela

---

BLOG POST FOR JULY 1

Today in Costa Rica was full of energy and connection. We spent the morning playing sports with the local kids from the community. We played soccer, basketball, and some fun relay games. It was awesome to see everyone having a great time together. Even with the heat, we were all laughing and giving it our all, teaching the kids new games and bringing the community together.

Later in the afternoon, we had a challenging workout and yoga session led by our mentor, Noel. Noel pushed us physically and mentally, but the feeling afterward was worth it! That was followed by a thirty minute meditation. We did breathing exercises to help us take control of our bodies and minds. Everyone felt calm, strong, and focused. To wrap up the day, we headed to the beach where we played volleyball as the sun began to set. Watching the sky change colors while playing with friends felt like the perfect ending to a powerful and fun day.

---

BLOG POST FOR JULY 2

Today marks the half way point of our adventure in Costa Rica! We really have been immersed into their incredible culture and been learning so much along the way! We started off the day with eggs, beans, and rice for breakfast. Getting us all pumped up for the day ahead! We had our fourth out of five surfing lessons and even though it was a bit choppy out there we were shredding waves left and right!

After that we got fresh fruit smoothies at a local beachside restaurant, then headed home for a scrumptious lunch of casado a traditional Costa Rican meal. Right after lunch we got the delight surprise of a tropical rainstorm equipped with lots of thunder and lightning! Later in the afternoon, a Costa Rican local welcomed us into her home to teach us how to make empanadas. Which are fried turnover with the outer shell made of mainly corn.Then filled with whatever your heart desires, but we filled ours with beans and potatoes. We were very successful and now all professional empanada makers!

Following our cooking class, we went to the soccer field across the road. We had time to kick around a soccer ball, play volleyball, or just relax and chat. Our time at the field ended when yet another tropical rainstorm came upon us. We hopped on the buses and headed back to home base. Once we arrived we were greeted with a mouthwatering meal of pasta with read sauce and meat. We ended the day with mentor groups where we discussed the ethics of sports in the Olympics.

We had so much fun being leaders of the day and can’t wait for another action packed day ahead!

With love,
Maddie and Julia

---

BLOG POST FOR JULY 3

Good morning everyone!!! Today’s leaders of the days were Sophia and Max, and we are now bringing you a full recap of the amazing day we had today. We started the day off with some student lead yoga and pilates class at 6:00am. After an early protein filled breakfast consisting of avacado toast we headed out to the ocean where our catamaran awaited.

The group set sail and after a beautiful ride we arrived at El Agujero. Diving into the beautiful crystal clear water we embarked on a snorkeling journey led by our captain. We saw stingyrays, starfish, pufferfish, and even an eagle. Ater applying copious amounts of sunscreen we headed on back to home base and relaxed by the pool. Following that lovely break Noel lead us on a spiritual meditation exercise. Feeling refreshed and cleansened, we drove down to the local ice cream shop ran by local leaders in the community. The ice cream was amazing and we had a good quick snack before heading back to home base for some delicious Pork Stew. Finally, for mentor Noel had us reflect on our experiences with water and what we can do to save the water on our planet.

More pics coming soon!

---

BLOG POST FOR JULY 4

Yesterday was one for the books.

We kicked off the morning with a mission, cleaning up the mangroves. Honestly, waking up early didn’t even feel that bad once we got there. It was calm, peaceful, and really eye-opening. We filled bags with so much plastic, and it felt accomplishing.

After that, it was surf time, and the waves were quite big. The adrenaline was real, and even though most of us probably swallowed a gallon of saltwater, it was so worth it.

Since it was the 4th of July, lunch went all-out American: burgers and mac & cheese.

Later in the day we headed to La Esquina, a market. There were food stalls that smelled insane, a thrift shop, and a bracelet stand where almost everyone ended up getting something.

We wrapped up the night around a bonfire, which might have been the best part of the day. There was music, laughter, games, and that cozy vibe where no one wants the night to end.

---

BLOG POST FOR JULY 5

Dear parents,

Today was a meaningful day for all of us, filled with opportunities to grow as leaders. We started the day with a beach cleanup focused on micro plastics. This experience taught us that being a leader means attending to the smaller issues as well. Everyone contributed, and the teamwork was strong. Later, we played basketball. It was a fun way to connect, stay active, and practice communication and support. This activity reminded us how leadership shows up in every day moments.

One of the best parts of the day was doing yoga with Kevin, the leader of the retreat. Before the stretching, Kevin talked about integrity, and how being a leader means doing the right thing, even when no one’s watching. This message inspired us and helped us reflect on our daily life choices. At the end of the night, we got to debate on how pineapple affects Costa Rica. This activity was a conclusion of all the great things that we learned through the day, incorporating respect and patience.

Your daily leaders, Elliot and Luce

---

BLOG POST FOR JULY 6

Today was an incredible day filled with purpose, fun, and plenty of sunshine! We started bright and early with a 7:00 AM breakfast to fuel up for a meaningful morning of service. By 7:30, we were on our way to volunteer, where from 8:00 to 11:00, we poured their creativity and care into painting signs that promote environmental awareness—encouraging others to help keep public spaces clean. It was inspiring to see the group working together so passionately. Afterward, we enjoyed a well-deserved lunch at noon, recharging for an active afternoon.

We had a blast during our basketball session, showing off our skills and great teamwork. Afterward, we made a quick trip to the store to stock up on snacks for tomorrow’s long bus ride—always a favorite activity! Then it was time to cool off and relax at the pool from 3:30 to 5:00, which brought lots of laughter and bonding. A delicious dinner at 6:30 led into mentor groups at 7:15, where students reflected on the day and shared personal growth moments. We ended on a high note with a fun and energetic party—celebrating the friendships being formed and the impact they’re making. It’s been a full, rewarding day, and your teens are thriving!

-Your leaders Lucy and Henry

---

BLOG POST FOR JULY 8

Today marked the end of an incredible 14-day adventure, packed with unforgettable experiences and deeper connections. We kicked off the day soaring through the rainforest canopy on a thrilling zip-lining course, followed by a refreshing swim in the cool waters beneath a stunning waterfall. To top it off, we indulged in a rejuvenating volcanic mud bath, letting the earth’s natural minerals work their magic.

As the sun began to set, we gathered for a heartfelt goodbye session filled with appreciation games. Sharing our favorite memories and expressing gratitude for one another created a wave of emotions, solidifying the bonds we’ve formed over the past two weeks. It was the perfect way to close out a journey that has undoubtedly left a lasting impact on all of us.

-Max Dalton, Max Bruno, Timmy

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 27

¡Hola from Costa Rica! – Day 1 Adventure Recap 🌴🍕

Welcome to the GLA Spanish Service Adventure Blog, parents and families! We are so enthusiasmado to have our amazing group of students finally here with us in beautiful Costa Rica! The past two days have been full of smiles, sunshine, and lots of laughter as everyone settles in and starts this unforgettable journey.

☀️ Morning Moments & New Connections
We kicked off the day with a delicious breakfast (yes, the gallo pinto was a hit!), and then jumped right into a fun “Pass the Mic” activity where students teamed up to get to know each other better—instant friendships in the making!

We also asked, “What’s one goal or hope you have after meeting everyone today?”
One of our students, Gabriel, shared:
“I really want to build long-lasting friendships while I’m here.”
We’re already seeing that energy take shape. 💚

🍕 In Pizza We Crust (Our Values Activity)
Next up? One of our favorite activities: In Pizza We Crust! Each student added a “topping” to our giant group pizza, with each topping representing a core value for the trip—think kindness, curiosity, courage, and teamwork (plus a whole lot of cheese).

We also asked, “What’s one thing you learned about someone today that surprised you in a good way?”
Lexi and Caroline shared a fun fact: “All of Pearl’s siblings have really unique names!!”

🏡 Home Base Tourcito
After that, we took a tourcito of our beautiful home base. From the comfy dorms to the hangout chairs and the sparkling pool, students got to see all the cozy corners and cool spots where they’ll be spending the next 21 days.

🌟 Meet the Mentors & Learn the Ropes
Mentor intros followed (such an awesome crew!), and after a tasty lunch and a little free time to settle in, we jumped into the GLA Survival Guide—a must-know resource packed with everything from health tips to house rules, plus a fun dive into the inspiring history of GLA (spoiler: it all started with ALA!).

🕵️‍♀️ Mentor Mystery Game
Then it was time to get detective-y! Students played a clue-based game to uncover who their mentor would be. There was laughter, guessing, and finally the big reveal: their mentor groups! These small squads will be their home teams for reflections, support, and lots of learning throughout the trip.

🤝 Community Commitments & Chow Circle
Before dinner, we came together to create our Community Agreement—a collaborative set of expectations to keep our group strong and united. Then, we wrapped the day with our first Chow Circle, a GLA tradition where we celebrate the day, shout out kindness, and crown our first Leaders of the Day.

🎲 Game Night & Chill Vibes
Evening downtime included epic UNO battles, Monopoly takeovers, and some well-deserved chill time under the stars.

To cap it all off, we asked two students how they’d describe Orientation Day as a song. Their answers?

🎵 “Wouldn’t It Be Nice” by The Beach Boys.
“It speaks on connecting people in a world where everyone belongs—and I believe GLA does exactly that. Everyone was nervous about being in a totally new place with people they’ve never met, and the activities we did today brought everyone closer.” – Pearl
🎵 “NuevaYol”
“Because we listened to it during Naty’s presentation about self-care and self-regulation.” – Caroline

We’re off to a fantastic start, and we can’t wait to share more updates, photos, and stories with you as the adventure continues. Stay tuned—tomorrow brings new sights, service, and más español!

Pura vida,
The GLA Costa Rica Team 🇨🇷💚

---

BLOG POST FOR JUNE 28

Hey fam!

We had a great day today — a total WIN! We woke up bright and early and had breakfast at 7 AM. It was eggs, sausage, hash browns, cereal, and some orange juice.

At 7:45, we headed over to the Ruta National Sanctuary. The drive was an hour and fifteen minutes long, but we survived it with interesting “Would You Rather” questions.

At 9 AM, we went to see the various animals, starting with the birds, with the main stars being the toucans and the peacocks. After we took a wonderful picture with the various birds, we went to the butterfly enclosure, where butterflies showed off their beautiful colors.

Moving on from the butterflies, we went to the snake exhibit, with multiple beautiful and venomous snakes bathed in the heat. After the snakes, we went on to see the frogs — showcasing tree frogs and a couple of species of poisonous frogs and their bright colors.

After the frogs, we went on to see the mammals, including sloths, ocelots, jaguars, and pumas. After hiking along the trails and seeing the bright and beautiful vegetation, we went on to lunch at 12 PM.

After lunch at the Ruta National Reserve restaurant, featuring an all-you-can-eat buffet, we went to see the waterfalls. The waterfalls ranged from tallest to shortest but did not lack in strength.

Jose, a guest speaker, told us the history of Costa Rica. This included many facts, such as the 3% of the world’s biodiversity being in Costa Rica, and the fact that Costa Rica has no army. Instead, what Costa Rica specializes in is its education — with teachers in the past teaching as young as age 6, helping kids to read and write.

Pura Vida

Leaders of the Day: Gabriel and Liam

---

BLOG POST FOR JUNE 29

We started off the day con una desayuno delicioso of gallo pinto and pancakes in the restaurant 🥞

Following breakfast, everyone took a quick swim test before a few hours of free time 🏊‍♂️Throughout the free time, many enjoyed soccer on the lawn and cards games in the restaurant ⚽️.

The rest of the day was spent playing an intense game of soccer, playing cards games like B.S. and pinky, preparing for the first day of service, and a fun leadership activity with mentor groups.

Everyone had positive comments today and here are a few:

“It’s 9 am somewhere ☕” -Anya

“The pasta was not bad 🍝”-The Italian guy, Francesco

“Today was a once in a lifetime experience” – Sebby

“The coffee and chocolate was delicious🍫” -Chase and Callum

“I loved today a-latte” -Halle

Joke of the day from Anya:

If water was coffee and I was a duck, I would swim my way down and drink my way up🦆. But water ain’t coffee and I ain’t a duck so let’s taste this espresso and get hyped up.

From the leaders of the day, Pearl and Callum

---

BLOG POST FOR JUNE 30

¡Hola familia!

We started our day off with a bang with a 7 AM breakfast of rice and beans, waffles, salchichon, mango, and melon. Today was our first day visiting the school—for both us and the little kids! We played soccer and tag with them, and some were even faster than us! Everyone had a lot of fun, and by the end of our time there, we had finished our final draft plans for the murals.

At our Spanish school in Heredia, we took a placement exam and were sorted into classrooms, but we also had time to chill, play games, and visit the central market in Heredia (the empanadas were muy deliciosas).

After we returned, it was time for our usual chow circle and dinner routine, which included the most shout-outs we’ve done all trip, a new leader selection, and our signature exit—saying our favorite color in Spanish.

Dinner today was pollo frito, papas fritas, and arroz! After dinner, we split into our mentor groups for an engaging activity.

Quotes of the Day:

“Costa Rica is chill.” – Gabe
“Nosotros nos divertimos.” – Jake
“Tenemos agua caliente.” – Nathan
“I am the Landa queen.” – Lexi
“Live, laugh, love.” – Liam

“Live life to the fullest.” – Gavin

Pura Vida!

Caroline and Eddy

---

BLOG POST FOR JULY 1

¡Hola familia!

Today we woke up at 6:30 and had breakfast at 7. We got to talk and hang out in the morning. Around 7:45, we went to the school, where we painted and cleaned walls throughout the morning. We also got to hang out with the kids.

Around 11:30, we left, went back to home base, and had lunch. After lunch, we had about an hour of free time, then headed to Spanish school around 1:20. Once there, we had class for about three hours and did a variety of activities.

After school, our mentors let us go to the store to buy snacks and drinks. When we got back to home base, we had chow circle and then ate dinner as a group.

Later, we went to the octagon and built spaghetti towers, working in our mentor groups to see who could make the tallest one. After that, we reflected on the activity with our mentor groups.

Pura Vida!

-Zach and Gavin

---

BLOG POST FOR JULY 2

¡Hola Familia!

We woke up at 6:30am and had breakfast at 7. For the first time in a long time, everybody arrived on time. We had eggs, bacon, sausage, and rice with beans.

At 7:45, we left to go to the school for community service. Our three mentor groups completed painting the walls and the tires. We left the school at 11:30 to go to lunch at 12:30.

We left at 1:30 to go to Spanish classes from 2:00 to 5:00pm. We came back to the hotel and had free time until 6:20. We had the chow circle at 6:20. We introduced our new leaders of the day. At 6:30, we had dinner, and ate chicken strips and fries. We had popcorn and watched traditional dancers that came to the hotel as a surprise.

We had mentor groups where we strengthened our improv skills and checked in on our Spanish. After mentor groups, we went back to the octagon and by 9:15, the day was concluded

— Nathan and Carr

---

BLOG POST FOR JULY 3

Hola familia y amigos!

Today we got started early with a main dish of pancakes 🥞, then made our way to la escuela at 8:00 a.m.

After a quick game of tag with our elementary amigos, we got right to work painting beautiful flowers, letters, and classic murals.

Once our service projects for the day wrapped up, some of us joined in our now-daily juegos de fútbol. Unfortunately, Gus’s team won.

By noon, we were back at home base for lunch and some free time.

At 1:20, we headed out for Spanish class, where we practiced the language and cooked some delicious food. We made patacones and natural juice!

By 6:00 p.m., we were back at home base for the evening.

Quote of the Day:
“Face towards the sun and your shadows will be left behind you.” – Pearl

Pura Vida!

-Anya y Hiro

---

BLOG POST FOR JULY 4

Hola amigos!!!!

Today we enjoyed a whole lot of gallo pinto (rice and beans) and little sausages shaped like octopuses—muy interesante!

It was the last day of school for the kids, so we made sure to wear our craziest outfits and red, white, and blue for a full Fourth of July 🇺🇸 celebration. We played landa (tag), soccer, danced, and did lots of screaming. People got their faces painted as dogs, cats, butterflies, and the most superior superhero of all—Spider-Man.

For the surprise of the day, we made a cute little trip to the ice cream shop and enjoyed lots of ice cream… even though we all know we’re going to get crepes later 🤭. After that, we were off to Spanish class, where we did lots and lots of learning.

The beginning of our evening activities, of course, started with our Puppy Chow Circle, where we give shoutouts and pick the new leaders of the day. Don’t worry—the new lineup is muy bueno.

Dinner was pork chops, veggies, and mashed potatoes—for balance. And like any good night, we ended it with a game of cards.

—Lexi and Alex

---

BLOG POST FOR JULY 5

Today was an extremely eventful day for all of the leaders. We started off the day with a hearty breakfast and then followed up by immediately going on the bus to our destination. After an hour and a half long drive, we arrived in the mountains to go on 2 tours and 10 zip lines. The first 6 zip lines were quite short but the last 4 were a lot longer and faster, with the last one being half a mile long. We then ate lunch in the restaurant followed by a tour of the rainforest, showing off plants and animals while being on a gondola. After that we did a mini-nature walk and saw different types of frogs, butterflies, and snakes. We then got on the bus and came back to home base after waiting an extra 45 minutes because of a landslide. When we arrived, we did our chow circle and elected our next leaders, Jake and Francesco.

The quote of the day was; “Whatever you are, be a good one.”

Bude and Chase

---

BLOG POST FOR JULY 6

¡Hola familia!

Today was such a blast for everyone as we spent the day exploring one of the many national parks in Costa Rica. We started off the day with breakfast: gallo pinto and eggs. Right after a delicious breakfast, we departed for one of the many adventures of the day.

The hike to the crater lake was about 90 minutes with lots of green scenery. Our challenge for today was to take three photos in different categories of everything you see, so the wildlife created the perfect opportunity. Although the hike was an uphill battle to say the least, the view (and the downhill walk back) made it all worth it.

After a few people getting lost and a few people falling in the deep mud, everyone made it back to the welcome area in one piece.

At 2, the group enjoyed a delicious lunch in the restaurant before leaving for the next adventure. While not as green as the hike, the supermarket was full of everything you could think of. Not everyone joined in on this adventure, but it is safe to say that not much healthy food was bought in the store.

Once back at home base, we had a few hours of free time before continuing the night with an intense game of mafia.

After dinner, we did a spa night consisting of face masks and relaxing music.

Quotes of the day:

“Kindness grows wherever you plant it” – Jake
“Love someone and they’ll love you back” Gavin
“You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take” – Carr
“Whatever you are, be a good one” – Adam
“Zone back in every once in a while to make sure people are still there ” – Anya
“Don’t wear white pants to hike” -Halle

From your leaders of the day, Francesco and Jake (Peanut Butta Thugga)

---

BLOG POST FOR JULY 8

¡Hola familia!

Today was a day of service and learning.

We began the day just like every other with breakfast, which consisted of omelets, gallo pinto, and hash browns. Then we left for our service projects: part of the group worked on painting the classrooms while others finished the children’s play area and the mural. We wrapped up with a 30-minute soccer game.

After the bus ride home, we had lunch and rested for a while. Some people swam in the pool and tanned, while others played football. Then we headed off to our Spanish classes. Half of the group got to explore the city and visit the market, where they practiced real-world Spanish by interviewing vendors. We also stopped at a local thrift store, where we tried on some questionable outfits.

After our Spanish classes, we returned home for dinner before splitting off into our mentor groups for the final activity of the day.

“What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” – Hiro

“You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” – Sebby

---

BLOG POST FOR JULY 9

¡Hola!

We started our day like usual with a great breakfast at 7:00. Today for breakfast we had french toast, eggs, mango, watermelon, cereal, and orange juice or coffee. 🍳🥭🍉☕️🍽️

After breakfast we headed to Alfredo Gonzáles Flores (the school) to continue our service projects. Some of us painted classrooms, while others continued to work on the mural at the entrance of the school. 🎨🫟 For a break we also went to a store near the school to get snacks and drinks before continuing with our painting.

Once we finished cleaning all the paint supplies and had another great game of fútbol ⚽️, we returned to home base for lunch. Our lunch consisted of salad, rice, beans, steak, a few chips, and strawberry juice.

Then at 1:30 instead of having Spanish classes, we drove to the mall to go shopping and watch a movie. Our shopping (and window shopping) consisted of clothes, shoes, jewelry, books, snacks like frozen yogurt, and arcade games. 👕👟📚🍦🕹️

After shopping we made our way over to the cinemark, where we had the option to watch either How to Train your Dragon 🐉 or Jurassic Park 🦖. Only a couple people watched Jurassic Park, which was in English with Spanish subtitles. While most of us watched How to Train your Dragon, which was all in Spanish. We had a blast watching the movie with popcorn and enjoyed having the chance to practice our Spanish. 🍿🎬

Finally to end the day we had chow circle, where we elected tomorrow’s leaders, Bude and Nathan. Then we had a dinner of pasta, chicken, sauce, toast, and juice. 🍽️

It was another great day in Costa Rica! ¡Adiós!

Bella and Eddy

---

BLOG POST FOR JULY 10

¡Hola todos!

After waking up and having breakfast, we started another week of service. Some groups painted classrooms, while others worked on a mural near the entrance to the school. We didn’t have a fútbol game today, but some of us worked on our long-range shots outside.

After we went back to home base, we had lunch and played with our new football until it was time to leave for Spanish class. During the second half of class, we learned how to dance the salsa.

After heading back for chow circle and dinner, we had our debate. Each mentor group had three prompts to work with, and the Capybaras ended up winning. We went to bed ready for another day of service tomorrow.

-Nate and Adam

---

BLOG POST FOR JULY 11

¡Hola!

We started out our day like usual at 7:00 with a tasty breakfast. 🍽️ Afterwards we finished some last minute packing for the beach, before grabbing our bags and getting on the bus. 🎒🚌

The car ride was about 4 and a half hours including stops. During the ride we entertained ourselves with music, chatting, and playing games. 🎶🎮

About halfway through we stopped at a souvenir shop for a bathroom break and a chance to buy souvenirs and snacks. We bought cool souvenirs like shirts, postcards, necklaces, and small figurines. 👕✉️💍

After we finished our souvenir shopping we got back on the bus for a few minutes before we got off to go see some crocodiles. 🐊 It was really cool and we saw crocodiles swimming in the water below us from where we stood on the bridge.

Once we finished observing the crocodiles we continued our drive to the hotel in Manuel Antonio.

When we arrived at the hotel we quickly unpacked our bags and headed to lunch. 🧳🍽️

Next we changed into swim suits and jumped into the pool. In the pool we swam, climbed onto each other’s shoulders, played a game with a ball, and marco polo. 🏊🏻‍♀️🩱🩳

Then we showered and changed before heading to the marina. We walked around and saw the beach and boats. We also bought some more snacks and posed for some pictures. 🏝️⛴️📷

Next we drove back and had dinner before ending with a chill night of pool time, reading, and chatting. 👙📚💬

We had a great day and are excited for a fantastic day at the beach tomorrow.

¡Pura vida!

– Bella

---

BLOG POST FOR JULY 12

¡Hola!

We started our day at 7:00 with a breakfast of gallo pinto (rice and beans), eggs, toast, and plantains with orange juice or coffee. 🍽️🍳☕️

After breakfast we grabbed our bags and swim suits before getting on the bus to go to the marina. 🛍️🩱🩳 At the marina we got on a big boat with 2 levels, slides, and trampolines. ⛴️ We were greeted with watermelon, pineapple, snacks, and drinks of our choice. The boat had a teen friendly bar that served fun kid drinks with cool names like piña colada and painkiller. 🥤🍍🥥🥭

During the boat ride we observed beautiful blue waters and dolphins swimming. We also tanned in the sun and chatted. 🌊🐬☀️

After a while we stopped and had the opportunity to jump in the water, swim, go down the slide, and snorkel. The water was warm and we had a blast, even though it was hard to see fish while snorkeling because the water was a little murky and a bunch of us got stung by jellyfish (harmless ones).🪼💦

After our stop we continued our boat ride, where we got more sun and fruity drinks. Near the end of the ride we enjoyed a lunch of either fish or chicken, potatoes, chips, rice, salad and passion fruit sauce. 🍽️🐟🥗

Once we finished lunch we had the last portion of our boat ride before getting off and buying some chips, candy, and soda for the beach. 🏝️🍭🥤

We went to the beach Biesanz, where we hanged out in the water, read books, played uno, and shared snacks. 📚🏖️ However the tide kept rising and eventually chased us back to the bus, where we returned to the hotel.

At the hotel we showered and chilled until dinner. For dinner we had two options, either a hamburger with fries 🍔 or nachos. Originally there was a third option, quesadillas, but there was a mix up and we got nachos instead. 🍽️

Finally we ended the night with some pool time and chatting with friends. 💬💤

¡Hasta luego! ¡Adiós!

– Bella

---

BLOG POST FOR JULY 13

¡Hola! ¿Cómo estás?

Today we started our day with breakfast at 7:00, where we ate gallo pinto (rice and beans), plantains, eggs, and toast. 🍽️🍳

After breakfast we grabbed our towels, sunglasses, and water bottles 🕶️💦 and headed to Manuel Antonio National Park.

Once we arrived at the park, some of us bought coconuts 🥥 to drink and eat before getting in line to head inside. To head inside we went through security to get our bags checked. 🛍️ We couldn’t bring, plastic water bottles or snacks because it was a national park.

Next we split into two groups to go with a guide through the park to see the stunning plants and amazing wildlife. We saw perezosos (sloths) hanging in the trees and eating leaves. 🦥🍃 We also spotted maños ardilla (monkeys). 🐒 Did you know these monkeys have a female as their leader and they travel in troops? But don’t be tricked by their cute faces because they might come and steal your stuff when you’re not looking. We also saw spiders and bats. 🕷️🕸️🦇

At the end of the tour we arrived at the beach which was really pretty with trees framing a sandy beach and warm blue water. 🏝️ We spent our beach time by swimming in the ocean, jumping waves, chatting with friends, tanning in the sun, and watching crabs. 🌊☀️🦀

When our beach time came to a close we walked back to the buses 🚌 and drove back to the hotel for lunch, a quick shower, and to pack our things for the drive back to home base. 🍽️

We left for the drive back at around 2:00. The drive was supposed to be about 4 hours and 30 minutes, including bathroom and snack breaks. However we ran into some traffic along the way, making our final time be about 5 hours and 30 minutes, including our break. 🚦🚌 We stopped for a break at the same place where we got souvenirs on Friday on the way over. There we took a bathroom break and bought some snacks and drinks like chips, candy, and empanadas. 🧻🍬🥨

Despite the ride being longer than expected it was filled with music, singing, chatting, and naps. 🎶🎤💤😴 However we were all glad when we finally arrived back at home base, where we had dinner at 8:00. Dinner consisted of quesadillas, fries, salsa, and coca cola. 🍽️🍟🍅🥤 It was tasty and we were all happy to have good food again (the food at the beach wasn’t great). 😋

After dinner we chilled before going to bed at 9:45 for lights out. 💤

¡Adiós! See you guys soon!

– Bella

---

BLOG POST FOR JULY 14

Hello families,

This morning we were up early and left for service shortly after breakfast, around 9:00 AM. The group spent time adding the final touches to their paintings. During this time, there was also a mandatory school cleaning, and everyone chipped in to help. Once the cleaning was finished, the group played a few games of soccer and then packed up to leave.

When we got back, we went straight to lunch and then moved into free time. During this time, we were asked to pack ahead of time for our flights on Wednesday. Afterwards, we had time to swim, play pool, socialize, and finish up any remaining Spanish homework.

Later in the day, we headed to Tico Lingo for our Spanish lessons. There, we participated in various games and activities focused on Spanish. Some students also had the chance to go out for ice cream or visit the nearby local market.

After wrapping up one of our last days of Spanish class, we returned to Homebase. After dinner, everyone enjoyed a final activity with their mentor groups before heading to bed.

– Gabe and Sebby

---

BLOG POST FOR JULY 15

¡Pura Vida! A Perfect Ending to an Unforgettable Adventure 🇨🇷

What a wonderful way to wrap up our time in Costa Rica! The final day of the trip was filled with laughter, connection, and a few sweet surprises.

We started the morning at a relaxed pace as students had time to pack, chill out, and spend quality time with their new (and now very close) friends. From spontaneous dance parties to last minute souvenirs, it was a peaceful start to a memorable day.

Next up was their final Spanish class, but this one was anything but ordinary! The room was buzzing with excitement as students played games, held full on Spanish conversations, and even made one last dash to the local market to practice their new language skills. The grand finale? A graduation ceremony! Each student received a certificate for their hard work and dedication in class, but the real heart melter came when they handed letters to their Spanish teachers. ¡Qué bonito!

After a celebratory stop at the pulpería (a beloved Costa Rican corner store), we returned to home base for a very special dinner: steak, cheesecake, and all the good vibes.

The evening was capped off with our final appreciation circle — a time to reflect, share gratitude, and celebrate how far everyone has come. It was emotional, sincere, and full of love.

To finish the night, students enjoyed extended curfew freedom as they roasted marshmallows, sang karaoke, and stargazed by the pool under the Costa Rican sky. ✨🌌

This trip has been full of adventure, growth, friendship, and mucho español. We couldn’t have asked for a better ending to this amazing journey.

¡Gracias por todo y hasta pronto! 🌍🎉💛