Uncategorized - Part 34

May 2, 2023 by Ashley Welter

Costa Rica: Surf, Sports & Sustainability (June 28-July 11, 2023)

TIME CAPSULE LETTER

Written by Tinn and the SSS-B Team

Hola lovely people! Our two weeks in Costa Rica felt like a month with all the activities we packed in. From watching the sunset together over the ocean to evening mentor groups (and everything in between), we hope you look back on our time together fondly full of fun memories – we certainly are!

We put the A in Global Leadership Adventures with multiple surf lessons at Playa Avellanas!! How cool it was to see everyone get up on their surf boards and progress throughout the program, even through some difficult waves. Playing soccer in the field with local kids and smacking volleyballs around was also a great pastime. And we can’t forget our final adventure bouncing through river rapids and ziplining through the trees!

Thank you for picking GLA as your summer program – GLA is not only about going on an adventure but also serving the local community here and developing your leadership skills. Our work counting microplastics on the playa and collecting mangrove seed pods will continue to help Frank and GEA gather more information and resources to promote sustainable development in Guanacaste. Furthermore, Marcia and the Guanacaste Water Center are benefiting from the work y’all did clearing debris, repotting trees, mixing concrete, nurturing sprouts, and fixing bicycles.

We know mentor groups was everyone’s favorite time of day – creating goals, learning leadership styles, practicing mindfulness (good job Team Tinn), singing karaoke to Taylor Swift, salsa dancing at Home Base, and playing a very heated Song Wars (congrats Team Sam).

Who could forget our OMG (One Meaningful Goal) – and the 12 takes it took to record it! We vowed to conserve water and hope y’all have been keeping it top of mind to make water conscious decisions and take shorter showers. Remember your personal OMGs as well and feel free to share any progress in these goals with GLA as y’all become the change we know you can be. We are grateful for all the special memories here in Costa Rica and hope you continue to practice gratitude every day.

Pura Vida!

P.S. Interested in traveling with GLA again this summer? Sessions are filling quickly! Check out our 2024 Program Guide for available session dates! We hope to see you again soon 🙂

Thanks for the checking out the blog for this Global Leadership Adventures program!

PROGRAM PHOTO ALBUM

Here are a few things you can expect:

We typically receive 2-3 blog posts per week here at GLA Headquarters from our program staff and students, so please don’t be alarmed if you don’t see a blog post daily – that’s totally normal.
Blog updates sent on weekends may not be posted until Monday.
Due to many factors, including but not limited to internet accessibility, photos may not always be available to post onto the blog. Sometimes onsite program staff are only able to send text back to Headquarters, where our team updates the blog.

Thank you for your patience and understanding, and we hope you enjoy following along on these unforgettable adventures.

Cell Phone Policy: The GLA cell phone policy is currently in place this summer to help foster meaningful connections between students. This means your student’s phone will be collected every day and returned to them after activities are completed to have with them through the night. Actual tech times and regularity will vary greatly by program location and time zones. During designated ‘tech time’, your student may use their phones as they wish. Please note that your student may not always choose to use this time to get a hold of their parents. If you are not hearing directly from your student each day, you can assume that no news is good news! We strongly recommend you follow the blog to follow your students’ experience without talking to them every day. If you are a parent and would like to get in touch with your student directly, you can call us at +1-619-758-3031 and we can set up a formal time for you to connect with your student.

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 posts!

BLOG POST FOR JUNE 28

Greetings from Guanacaste Costa Rica!

Today is arrival day and it was a long one. Majority of the students, 19 out of 22, have safely arrived to their home base at Angels Ecolodge. The first half of students got to enjoy the pool during this very hot day. They also were lucky enough to see a pack of monkeys. When the last batch of students arrived, we headed towards Angels Ecolodge and had our amazing dinner by our kitchen staff.

After dinner we took our group photo and returned back to the pool to cool off after the long day. Tomorrow we will be joined by the missing 3 students and have a day of orientation. We are all looking forward to our time at Surf Sports and Sustainability program and hopefully be awesome surfers by the end of the program. Pura Vida!

-Jesus, International Director

BLOG POST FOR JUNE 29

Hello Parents and loved ones! Today is day 2, also known as orientation day. Students were given a rigorous course on GLA’s policies and guidelines. In between our orientation we were also able to create our community agreements as well as complete our health checks and swim tests. After taking care of business students were able to head to the local soccer field to play with some local students.

After the game of soccer we were able to visit Playa Junquillal to catch the sunset and meet the missing 3 students in our program (Rakan, Clover, and Isaac). After we caught the sunset we headed back to enjoy our Tico Tacos and finish up with our mentor groups. Moving forward the blogs will be written by our leaders of the day. Tomorrow we are excited to head to surf class and catch some waves. Pura Vida!

-Jesus, International Director

BLOG POST FOR JUNE 30

Written by Alice M.

Day 3 officially began at 7:00am with Breakfast. An assortment of drinks was served along with fruits and pancakes. Soon after, the crew headed down to Playa Avellanas Beach for the first surf lesson! The water was beautiful and everyone caught a wave. After, we met some local vendors selling jewelry and had smoothies at the bar.

At noon we came back to home base and had both Veggi and Chicken rice along with salads, beans, and fried plantains. The crew stopped by the market before our Farm Tour began. At the Farm, we fed and milked goats and helped with the decomposing process for the sustainable ecosystem that thrives there. Before heading back to base, the hosts gave us a chance to try homemade goat cheese with crackers and freshly made tortillas! For dinner, Costa Rican Aztec Soup (Tomato Soup) was served with meatballs and cheese sticks.

BLOG POST FOR JULY 1

Written by Leader of the Day: Brody

Today we woke up at 6:30am to catch breakfast at 7:00am which was a delicious assortment of spreads and jams which topped lightly toasted bread. Following breakfast we went on a mangrove tour to learn about the benefits and influence of the red, black, and white mangrove trees. Mangrove trees have many benefits including: cleaning the air, providing a home for native wildlife species, and helping with erosion.

After finishing up the mangrove tour we painted meaningful wooden signs to hang up around the beach, then we took a bumpy bus ride back to camp to eat lunch. Lunch consisted of: beef fajitas, rice ,and beans. Later we took a short bus ride to a local school and refurbished the children’s hop scotch and other games. After repainting the children’s games we went to play a very fun and rainy soccer game which was a close game and ended 5-6.

To end the day we had a delicious dinner with fish sticks and fries.

BLOG POST FOR JULY 3

Written by Avery and Peter

¡Hola a todos!

This morning we woke up and had a nice breakfast and then headed out bright and early, as usual, jamming out to Taylor Swift on our way to the beach. Once there, we began our service with some games, and then got right into picking up microplastics. We then did a clean up of all trash across the whole beach. We got 12 minutes to swim in the ocean before heading back which quickly went from a calm and low tide to some intense powerful currents as we were getting out. We all successfully got back to home base to a delicious lunch of chicken nuggets (tofu for vegetarians), rice, mashed potatoes, and veggies.

After lunch we had free time where many of us swam in the pool until we had a guest speaker. The speaker was from an organization called Surf4Youth. Surf4Youth takes underprivileged Costa Rican Kids and provides gear and teaches them to surf. After the guest speaker we had free time where it started to storm up and into Dinner during a beautiful sunset. Finally we ended the day with a lesson about Mindfulness.

BLOG POST FOR JULY 5

Rise and shine! Day 8 kicked off at 5:50 in the morning with a delicious breakfast featuring a variety of cereals. By 7 o’clock, we were already on our way to the boat, eager to embark on a day of adventure. Onboard, we lounged on the deck, basking in the sun and indulging in mouthwatering burritos prepared by the boat staff. Snorkeling followed, where we encountered and gently held a starfish and a pufferfish. The excitement continued with dives and swimming alongside a large lilypad floatie. Around 11 o’clock, we set sail back to our home base. Later in the day, from 3 to 5, we played a spirited game of soccer, followed by a relaxing evening to unwind and recharge.

BLOG POST FOR JULY 6

Written by Ethan W.

To start our day off, we woke up and had eggs, toast and fruit for breakfast. Next we learned some new yoga positions and loosened up with a relaxing yoga session. After that, we had lasagna and salad for lunch which was incredibly delicious. After a short break and fun activities, everyone went to visit Marcia and helped plant, grow and sustain the beautiful forests. Everyone learned lots about sustainability and the process of maintaining a forest. Following this experience, we were met with an authentic traditional Costa Rican meal for dinner: Ceviche. After dinner everyone partook in the nightly mentor groups and had a nice relaxing night.

BLOG POST FOR JULY 7

Written by Liset – Leader of the Day

This morning the group woke up and had a breakfast of gallo pinto, eggs, tortillas, and sausages. Then we went to the Guanacaste Water Center for our service. We re-potted, replanted, and picked plants to help out the workers there. Back at home base, we had a lunch of grilled fish, rice, and sweet plantains.

We then had a bit of free time before we headed off to surf. Today the waves were 4-6 feet! After that, we went to a local fair in Paraiso and then returned to home base for a dinner of chicken nuggets and fries. We ended our night with learning to dance some salsa!

BLOG POST FOR JULY 9

Today we woke up bright and early and had a breakfast of cereal. After breakfast we headed off to the beach for our last surf lesson of the trip. After surfing we had a great lunch of chicken and beef burritos. Shortly after lunch we packed up and drove to our new home base. We hung out in the pool then left for an excursion to beautiful hot springs near our new hotel. We then had an amazing buffet style dinner. After dinner we wrapped up our day by playing a game as a group.

BLOG POST FOR JULY 10

Written by Leader of the Day: Juliet

We come to a close with an Adventure Day. For breakfast we had an all you can eat buffet with rice, pancakes, an assortment of fruits, and much more. Our first adventure was fresh water River tubing. Where we went through rapids and still water. The buffet continued for lunch with pasta, chicken, and cake. The last final adventure was zip lining through the forest, canyon, rivers, and did the “Tarzan Swing.”

Our last meal together on this trip was a bittersweet moment celebrated with pasta, ribs, steak, and a dessert table filled with an assortment of sweets. The most notable dessert were the churros with Carmel sauce. To finish the trip we set individual goals for ourselves and a group goal related to sustainability. Our “OMG” was to conserve water back at our homesites. Lastly, we finished our night with a beautiful appreciation circle and our final shout-outs.

BLOG POST FOR JULY 11

Today was our final day, aka departure day. We started off with our final breakfast as a group in Guachipelin and it was a somber one. Everyone knew that the day would end with difficult goodbyes after 2 weeks of service and adventure. After we finished our breakfast we loaded up our buses to our final destination – Liberia Airport. The bus ride was quiet with small chats here and there, but there were smiles all around. In the end students began to depart in groups and the goodbye hugs were dispersed. There were tears of joy due to the long lasting friendships and bonds that were created over our last two weeks. All the students hugged the staff as well and thanked us for the experience. Goodbyes are always hard, but I know some of you will continue to keep in contact and I’m sure some of you all will email me for a letter of recommendation down the line. Wishing you all the very best!

Jesus Perez – International Director

May 2, 2023 by Ashley Welter

Costa Rica: Surf, Sports & Sustainability (July 3-July 16, 2023)

TIME CAPSULE LETTER

Written by Liz, Bernardo, Tiffany, and Shannon

Dear students,

We can’t believe it has already been so long since our Pura Vida Costa Rica trip ended! I can still remember the delicious Gallo Pinto that we shared. It seems like yesterday that we were working hard to plant trees with Marcia, stomping through the mud with Frank to plant our mangrove seeds, and repairing the children’s bikes in the La Florida community. You’re probably back in school (or applying for college!!) but we wanted you to know that here in Guanacaste, Costa Rica we are still thinking of you and the impact we made this summer together.

Our time spent together here truly did make an impact. You should all know you left Costa Rica a better place than when you came. Frank’s NGO will continue to reforest the red mangroves trees and keep the beach clean for everyone to enjoy. The mangroves seeds that we planted thrive during the rainy season, making the environment of those sites more comfortable for the biodiversity that live there.

And more importantly, the knowledge YOU gained on this trip we hope will serve you and the communities you go on to participate in for the rest of your life! Remember that you explored the topic of “knowledge is power” and that we all need to take action in order to foster sustainable lifestyles. We now know how harmful plastic is to the environment and all the organisms involved. We learned some ways to reduce and reuse the plastic in our lives in order to lessen our impact on the environment and help empower the local Costa Rican community to do the same. Also, we learned what a huge impact one individual can have by joining positive actions and welcoming attitudes towards organizations in the community. Remember, it’s all about Eco over the Ego.

Another thing I can’t forget is how much fun we had together here! You guys were a huge part of making this trip so fun by being a really close knit group. We experienced Pura Vida culture by learning some Tico words such as “Vamos a pescar olas”, “con mucho gusto” and “vamos a hablar sobre manglares”. Everyone got a chance to catch some waves and show off their skills by the 4th surf session. We also got to visit The Rancho Avellanas goat farm and discovered how an all holistic and nature-based farm works to get the most delicious goat cheese. We ended the trip at Hacienda Guachipelin to enjoy swimming in the waterfalls, relaxing in the natural hot springs, zip lining and river tubing. How lucky we were with the weather, memorable sunny days at the foot of El Rincon de la Vieja Volcano!
We worked really hard and also had a blast together. Whether it was playing games at night, discutions with our mentor groups, singing songs on the bus, playing soccer and volleyball during service or exploring new places together- it was that much fun because we got to share it with all you guys — the 2023 GLA Surf, Sports, and Sustainability Costa Rica group!

Remember our Group’s OMG – “One Meaningful Goal” – that we created at the end of the session? We pledged to use our new found knowledge of sustainability to share the importance of protecting our planet with our peers and teammates. Do you remember that one of the first behaviors that you wanted to stop doing was throwing things away the second they are broken? Instead, you’ll try to fix and mend the items you have or find another purpose for it. Some of you also set the intention of not giving into procrastination or letting the criticisms of others deter you from starting your goals. Also, you committed to stop making excuses and wasting your energy and resources on your phone 24/7? How about not consuming non-recyclable plastic? Remember we learned that one of the greatest things we can do to help the environment is to reduce our water consumption? We promised to be mindful of our water practices and remind others in our community to do the same. We would love to know how that is going! Have there been any changes in your home or even community?

Don’t forget to share your personal goals with GLA too, they’d love to see how we are BEING the CHANGE in our daily life!

Thanks for co-creating this learning experience in these picturesques places and all the best with all your OMG projects!!

Cheers,
The Surf, Sports, and Sustainability Team at Peace Retreat

P.S. Interested in traveling with GLA again this summer? Sessions are filling quickly! Check out our 2024 Program Guide for available session dates! We hope to see you again soon 🙂

Thanks for the checking out the blog for this Global Leadership Adventures program!

PROGRAM PHOTO ALBUM

Here are a few things you can expect:

We typically receive 2-3 blog posts per week here at GLA Headquarters from our program staff and students, so please don’t be alarmed if you don’t see a blog post daily – that’s totally normal.
Blog updates sent on weekends may not be posted until Monday.
Due to many factors, including but not limited to internet accessibility, photos may not always be available to post onto the blog. Sometimes onsite program staff are only able to send text back to Headquarters, where our team updates the blog.

Thank you for your patience and understanding, and we hope you enjoy following along on these unforgettable adventures.

For frequently asked questions about the blogs, please visit our Program Blog FAQ page.

-The Global Leadership Adventures HQ Team

Click here to jump down to the most recent posts!

BLOG POST FOR JULY 3 AND 4

Hey families!

All 22 students for our Surf, Sports and Sustainability program have arrived safely in Los Pargos, Costa Rica. Yesterday was arrival day, we brought the group back to home base to get to know where we will be staying for these two weeks. We listened to our local director Tiffany tell us about Costa Rican culture and typical phrases that are used like Pura Vida. We did a few icebreakers to match names to new faces and get to know each other a little more. It was an easy day because it was a long day of travel to get here!

Today we had our orientation day. We started with a great activity led by our mentor Bernardo that showed an object that represents us and placed it in the middle of the circle. We had a more logistical day to get through the information needed to have a safe trip. We also came up with a community agreement of the values we want to hold as leaders in this experience. The group has bonded quickly and loves to take free time for a card game, to hit a volleyball or get to know each other. We are so excited for the next weeks ahead!

Pura vida,
Liz Sohmer – International Director

BLOG POST FOR JULY 5

Written by Aubree S.:
This morning of July 5th we woke up at 7 am to get ready for breakfast and after we left for the goat farm! We got to the goat farm and started with a tour of the forest and we took in the nature with a breathing exercise. After that short walk we got to see the goats!!! We fed a group of teenage goats and they were a bit shy but super cute! After, we got to see some male goats before we headed over to the milking station and tried some goats milk which was warm and delicious! We got to see and feed the baby goats next and they were so fluffy and adorable. The guides of the goat farm taught us about compost and we split into groups to help take care of their composting piles. To wrap up our time at the farm we washed our hands and enjoyed fresh goat cheese, feta, and yogurt and tamarindo juice.

Written by Rider S.:
Today on July 5, we had our first surf lesson. When we had shown up, the instructors had a little mix up with their schedules, so we had time to use some of our energy and swim in the ocean. We swam until the head instructor showed up, told us to follow him and start sprinting down the beach. We found our boards and learned the basics of how to paddle out and pop up. We surfed along the waves for about two hours with a lot of wipeouts but we got the hang of it and caught some waves!

BLOG POST FOR JULY 6

Written by Olivia J. & Imran O.

Today we awake to chirping birds and howling monkeys with tropical sun already posted high in the blue sky. We set down another beautifully prepared breakfast, banana pancakes and fruit that tastes as if it had been grown in the backyard. We hopped on our bus with much appreciated AC, and cruised on the bleeding clay road to a sustainably run hotel . Today was our first full service day, with Frank as our humble but passionate teacher. We learned about mangrove significance and how their system can aid the world in global warming.

In the afternoon, we returned to the sandy beach with sun kissed faces. We collected fallen mangrove seeds, followed up with a long awaited ocean swim, spent body surfing the waves. After a weary but giggly bus ride back to home base, we all ran into the showers, followed by the dining room to replenish. To finish the night, our mentor groups participated in an environmental debate discussing the standpoints of whaling.

BLOG POST FOR JULY 7

Written by Blai S. – Leader of the day
Today was an early wake up and early breakfast for surfing and we got to the beach around 7. As we got there the tide was pretty high but lowered as we got in. The waves were great today and the ocean was pretty calm. After surfing we got to drink some super good smoothies at Lola’s.

Written by Ishani B – Leader of the Day:
As we concluded our morning with surfing, we went to the beach to plant mangrove trees and mangrove saplings. Before we planted the trees we learned about the different types of mangrove trees, that mangroves and humans share a common resource which are fish, we learned that they play a big role in environment by sequestering the carbon and converting it into nutrients that are transported to the ocean. To keep these mangroves from going extinct we collected mangrove seeds and planted many mangroves. By planting these trees, it will create a better life for ecosystem and a better life for future generations.

BLOG POST FOR JULY 8

Written by Josie R. – Leader of the Day:
Today we slept in and woke up at 7:30 AM for a 8 AM breakfast. We ate potatoes, fresh fruit, and eggs. After the meal, instead of service today we learned all about micro plastics and the study we’re going to perform tomorrow to collect data on the plastic in the beach. We watched some videos and listened to one of our service partners explain the significance of getting rid of the mass amounts of micro plastics all over the world. Following this information session, we had some downtime to hang out and play games while we waited for lunch.

Written by Jenna C. – Leader of the Day
Hey! Jenna here. So, today was kind of a chill, relaxation day. We had our usual lunch at 12 pm, letting our stomachs settle for a bit afterwards. Then at 1 pm, we went and did our first official yoga session! We did that for about two hours, followed by a guest speaker. We learned about Costa Rica: the culture, the people, the food, the education system, and much more! afterwards, we had some free time, then it was 6 pm, which meant it was dinner time! We had some delicious hotdogs and mac n’ cheese, then we moved on to our mentor groups! We also celebrated Jocob’s 15th birthday. And well, that’s pretty much it! Thanks for reading! 🙂

BLOG POST FOR JULY 9

Written by Chloe R. – Leader of the Day:
This morning we woke up to a bright and hot day! At 7 we had a delicious breakfast which was fruit and rice and beans! We then left to the beach for the micro plastic study at 7:30. We separated into groups and learned how to pick up micro plastics. We created a box with string and sticks and had a small cut out box where we used a spoon to dig out sand. We then placed the sand into a bucket of water and after a few scoops we stirred it up and then sifted it to get the micro plastics out and record the data. Before leaving the beach we dipped our feet in the water and played volleyball and soccer tennis! Also, we played a game where we would all line up and get asked a question about Costa Rica and if we knew the answer we had to run up and hit a bell that was on a small table! If the question was answered right we would receive a packet of cookies! We then headed back to the peace retreat after having a great morning of service and fun!

Written by Brandon L. – Leader of the Day:
After this morning’s microplastic activity, we arrived back at peace retreat at around 11. Today’s lunch was rice, beans, chicken tenders, mashed sweet potatoes, and a mix of onions, carrots, and chicken. This was followed by a rest period until 2 o’clock. Afterward we headed off to a cooking class where we made corn tortillas with potatoes and black bean dip alongside the best lemonade I’ve ever had. We also played volleyball and saw various animals such as horses and chickens. Next we went back to the peace retreat to eat dinner. This consisted of various different types of pizzas including chicken, pepperoni, and hotdog. Finally, we ended the day with a full group activity where we gave shoutouts to people and named our highs and lows of the trip. My personal high for the trip was our first day surfing, my low was the long bus ride here because I didn’t know anyone yet. I’m excited and prepared for the rest of the trip and whatever activities it holds.

BLOG POST FOR JULY 10

Written by Alexa B. – Leader of the Day:
Today we had an early start with a 6 am breakfast. After breakfast, we left for the catamaran snorkeling trip that was an hour and 30 minute drive from our home base. Once we arrived to the beach, we waited for the speed boat to pick us up and drop us off at the catamaran that was anchored in the middle of the ocean. We were greeted by the very friendly crew members who helped us board the boat and run through the safety procedures. The ride to the snorkel spot was calming and beautiful. We also listened to really fun summer music. Once at the snorkel spot we put on our gear and immediately spotted fish underneath our catamaran. After awhile of snorkeling, the group played in the water a little bit before it was time for lunch. After lunch, we headed back to where we first boarded the boat and headed back to home base for a snack of chips and guacamole.

Written by Nandini R. – Leader of the Day:
After the catamaran, we came home, ate a snack, and went to a local market. We learned a lot at the local market and we all supported,sustainable vendors. We also learned about the marimba and danced along. Each vendor was different. There were jewelry stores, popsicle stands, and natural skincare stands. It was also our last time seeing Frank, our mangrove and micro plastic service partner. We left him nice notes and students such as Olivia had a meaningful goodbye. Finally we ended the day with mentor groups and sunset watching on the beach Playa Negra.

BLOG POST FOR JULY 11

Written by Sahana G – Leader of the Day:
This morning we woke up and had a great start to our leisurely morning with breakfast and yoga. We focused on our heart with our instructor kevin and talked about how we can value ourselves and others in relationships. We expressed and understood these feelings through exercises and meaningful conversations. Then, we had an amazing lunch and practiced valuing our food with Bernardo.

Written by Mia C. – Leader of the Day:
After lunch, we headed to our service activity. We spent the afternoon planting trees with the guanacaste water center as part of their reforestation efforts. We added a special gel and fertilizer to the plants to help ensure their growth, especially during the six month dry season Costa Rica has. On our way home we took a stop at a store to stock up on snacks! Our pasta dinner was followed by mentor groups and a game of camouflage before bed!

May 2, 2023 by Ashley Welter

Costa Rica: Surf, Sports & Sustainability (July 20-August 2, 2023)

TIME CAPSULE LETTER

Written by Liz, Bernardo, Tiffany, and Shannon

Dear students,

We can’t believe it has already been so long since our Pura Vida Costa Rica trip ended! I can still remember the delicious Gallo Pinto that we shared. It seems like yesterday that we were working hard to plant trees with Marcia, stomping through the mud with Frank to plant our mangrove seeds, and repairing the children’s bikes in the Los Pargos community. You’re probably back in school (or applying for college!!) but we wanted you to know that here in Guanacaste, Costa Rica we are still thinking of you and the impact we made this summer together.

We worked really hard and also had a blast together. Whether it was playing games at night, discussions with our mentor groups, singing songs on the bus, playing soccer and volleyball during service or exploring new places together- it was that much fun because we got to share it with all you guys — the 2023 GLA Surf, Sports, and Sustainability Costa Rica group!

Remember our Group’s OMG – “One Meaningful Goal” – that we created at the end of the session? We pledged to use our new found knowledge of sustainability to share the importance of protecting our planet with our peers and teammates. Do you remember that one of the first behaviors that you wanted to stop buying new clothes and try thrifting instead? Instead, you’ll try to fix and mend the items you have or find another purpose for it. Some of you also set the intention of not giving into procrastination or letting the criticisms of others deter you from starting your goals. Also, you committed to stop making excuses and wasting your energy and resources on your phone 24/7? How about not consuming non-recyclable plastic? Remember we learned that one of the greatest things we can do to help the environment is to reduce our water consumption? We promised to be mindful of our water practices and remind others in our community to do the same. Many of you expressed wanting to start projects and initiatives in your community to bring your newfound knowledge into your home and networks of family and friends. We would love to know how that is going! Have there been any changes in your home or even community?

Don’t forget to share your personal goals with GLA too, they’d love to see how we are BEING the CHANGE in our daily life!

Thanks for co-creating this learning experience in these picturesques places and all the best with all your OMG projects!!

Cheers,

The Surf, Sports, and Sustainability Team at Peace Retreat

P.S. Interested in traveling with GLA again this summer? Sessions are filling quickly! Check out our 2024 Program Guide for available session dates! We hope to see you again soon 🙂

Thanks for the checking out the blog for this Global Leadership Adventures program!

PROGRAM PHOTO ALBUM

Here are a few things you can expect:

We typically receive 2-3 blog posts per week here at GLA Headquarters from our program staff and students, so please don’t be alarmed if you don’t see a blog post daily – that’s totally normal.
Blog updates sent on weekends may not be posted until Monday.
Due to many factors, including but not limited to internet accessibility, photos may not always be available to post onto the blog. Sometimes onsite program staff are only able to send text back to Headquarters, where our team updates the blog.

Thank you for your patience and understanding, and we hope you enjoy following along on these unforgettable adventures.

For frequently asked questions about the blogs, please visit our Program Blog FAQ page.

-The Global Leadership Adventures HQ Team

Click here to jump down to the most recent posts!

BLOG POST FOR JULY 20-21

Hey Families!

All 22 students arrived safe and sound at Peace Retreat yesterday. Even though we are experiencing hot temperatures, students’ spirits are high and excited for what’s to come during the program. Last night we heard our local director talk about Costa Rican culture and customs while learning new spanish phrases like Pura Vida.

Today has been orientation day, understanding what this experience will be like and coming up with a community agreement between everyone to establish the values we want to live by. We did swim tests and health checks and had some downtime in the pool to cool down from the heat. We met our mentor groups and had delicious pizza for dinner. Everyone is excited to catch some waves early tomorrow morning!

Pura vida,
Elizabeth Sohmer – International Director

BLOG POST FOR JULY 22-23

July 22

By Oscar M. & Megan C.

We got everyone up nice and early to go surfing. Despite still being sleepy, we had a great time on waves that were easy to catch, but still big enough to challenge us. As leaders, my partner and I felt compelled to make sure we made good impressions with locals. All in all, I found getting the surfing lessons, and having the opportunity to lead a rich experience.

After lunch, we split up into our mentor groups. During this time, we got the opportunity to learn more about each other’s lives and what makes us unique. After that, we went back to the beach to swim in the ocean, play a pickup game of soccer, and play volleyball. We came back to eat another delicious meal and rest after our exhausting day. Finally we finished out the day with playing and learning new games with each other.

July 23

By David B. & Campbell M.

We woke up at 7am today and had breakfast burritos that were delicious. After that, we headed to Frank’s sustainability and conservation center of mangroves. He gave us a tour around the property and explained all the aspects of what a sustainable facility looks and operates like. He then explained to us some facts about mangroves, and stressed the importance of the conservation efforts in maintaining the human population. After this, we went for a walk on the beach and had a competition to find mangrove seeds that we can plant tomorrow. Then we had some time in the water and headed back to home base for lunch.

Today for lunch we had rice and chicken and then went to the beach to do service which consisted of us picking up garbage and ended with us going into the ocean. After that we went to the store to get food and drinks and then we came back to have dinner which was pasta with chicken, bread and salad.

BLOG POST FOR JULY 24-25

July 24

By Corbin D. & Mia F.

In the morning at 6:00 for breakfast we had the choice of three different cereals, we had fresh papaya, pineapple, and watermelon. For beverages we had papaya or watermelon fruit juice. At 6:30 we left for our second surf lesson of the trip. We got our sunscreen on and hit the waves. Although the waves were small like 1 to 3 feet they formed excellently which made them beginner friendly. After surfing for 2 hours we chilled on the beach and drank some smoothies from the restaurant that also taught the surf lessons. At 9:30 we left for the peace retreat or home camp. By 10:00 we started our mentor groups. The task for the next half hour or so was to debate the question, should whaling be allowed in the Caribbean for cultural reasons. We were given real roles with limited information. This debate was kind of a mess, most people just talked over each other and the arguments were not strongly formed from the information we were given. It showed us that this is how the real world works sometimes. People get limited information and form biases that make them hard if not impossible to reason with. That was the first half our fourth day.

Corbin D. – Leader of the day

After a lunch of mac and cheese and hotdogs, we headed back to Avellanas beach where we planted mangroves seeds and sorted the trash from yesterday. We then played a short game followed by some more time in the ocean. For dinner we had fish tacos. We ended the day watching Surfs Up.

Mia F. – Leader of the day

July 25

By Jonah M. & Joshua S.

This morning we woke up at 5:30 AM to eat a cereal breakfast at 6. Right after, we headed out on an hour and a half long bus ride to the pier to catch a catamaran ride. After riding for a while and bathing in the sun, we got off and dipped in the water to go snorkeling. Whilst snorkeling, we saw many sea urchins and small fish. Once we were finished snorkeling, we took off all our gear and swam around in the ocean for a bit. Once everyone was tired, we got back on the boat to enjoy a delicious burrito lunch. Once we all finished our meals, we headed back to the beach to get on the buses to head back to Peace Retreat. When we arrived, we were treated with some delicious fruit snacks and smoothies.

Jonah M. -Leader of the day

This afternoon on our trip was filled with unforgettable experiences! We had the incredible opportunity to visit a vibrant local market set up just for us, where we immersed ourselves in the culture, sampled delectable treats, and bought some handmade items. The colorful displays and friendly interactions with the locals left a lasting impression on all of us. Later, we joined a friendly game of soccer with the local kids, bridging the gap between cultures through the universal language of sports. The joy and camaraderie shared on the field made the day even more special. This immersive and heartwarming day will undoubtedly be cherished as one of the highlights of our adventure.

Joshua S. – Leader of the day

BLOG POST FOR JULY 26

By Poet H. – Leader of the day:
Today we had a quick breakfast of cereal. Then we learned about micro plastics with frank. And about the “floating trash island”. We had a lot of down time to bond with our peers. It was overall a great day to recover and gain some energy back.

By Ryan V. – Leader of the day:
Today we stayed at the peace treat and went swimming in the pool did yoga which really help with all of us everyone was feeling loose it really changed everyone’s mind about yoga and now we all can’t wait for our next yoga session, we also had a guest speaker come in and talk about micro plastics and educated us about all the plastic and how there will be more plastic then fish in the ocean in 2050 and we finished up with men tour groups. Those where the activities we did today.

BLOG POST FOR JULY 27

By Benjamin V. – Leader of the day:
Today started off with an early rise of 6:30. For our 7 o’clock breakfast we had pancakes with different topping options. We also had the option of a fruit platter and juices. At 7:30, after breakfast we left for the beach to test the pollution and micro plastics in the sand. We were split into groups of 5 and given the task of testing 5 different square meters and finding amounts of plastic for each. After this we were given some time to go swimming in the ocean and chill for another hour. Then around 11:00 we headed back to the resort to hangout until lunch at noon. For lunch we had quesadillas packed with a number of vegetables. Overall a good start to the 7th day of our GLA adventure.

By Amelia O. – Leader of the day:
For lunch we had quesadillas with guac, pico de gallo, and black bean paste. We then took the bus to the sustainable local goat farm. We learned about the nature and ecosystems, fed baby goats, shovel the compost, and tried some of their homemade goat cheeses, yogurts and lemonade. The goat farm was a great experience to u first and the sustainability it uses to maintain the environment and the process of creating food and resources strait from the goats. After leaving the goat farm we headed back to home base where many of us had time to relax and enjoy each-others company. Some went swimming, hung out by hammocks and others took a test after the long day. The following hour we had dinner which was pizza and salad. Everybody then hung out for the rest of the day awaiting the hour until we get our phones. Once we got our phones back at the very end of the day everyone started to get tired and we headed to bed. We had time to reflect on our adventurous day where we worked to maintain and support the local goat farm, with hopes of making an impact on the sustainability of the land.

BLOG POSTS FOR JULY 28-AUGUST 1

JULY 28
Written by Oliver R. & Gabe P.

We woke up today on day 8 at 8am and then we had a great breakfast with eggs and the local food of rice. We then had a great talk with Kevin the yoga instructor about how we should listen to the people who talk to us. He then helped us clear our heads and relax in a new yoga position. Then we had a great Mac and cheese for lunch.

After our morning at peace with the yoga, we had lunch of mac ‘n cheese and falafel sandwiches. We hung out a bit and then went to the local school/soccer field to meet with the Guanacaste Water Center who are service partners for the next few days. We worked to battle the erosion on a hill above the soccer field and below the school by planting a special type of grassy plant that works to keep the soil in place. This allowed the school and field to stay in good shape as the rain picks up over the next few months. And, of course, our local friends who we had met a few days back were there and ready to play soccer as usual. Getting to know the kids of the community has been a great way to better connect with Costa Rica and our part in helping the town we are staying in.

We then went back to the home base, had a refreshing swim in the pool, and then had fish tacos for dinner. We finished out the day by celebrating Corbin’s 18th birthday.

JULY 29
Written by Ava G.

When we got back from surfing we felt accomplished but tired and the lunch of rice, chicken, and vegetables tasted even better than usual. Soon after, the group set out for the Guanacaste Water Center. There we got down in the dirt and planted trees. All the greenery of the place really amazed us and it felt good to help out. We got back covered in dirt and ate an Indian themed dinner. After, we split into mentor groups and worked on our goals for the future. We deliberated over what we want to add to our communities and lives at home. It was a really nice time to be present and reflect on all that we have learned. Following that we hung out and are now excitedly anticipating our last 4 days.

JULY 30
Written by Mack F. & Davis B.

The morning of July 30th, we set out with a mission to help the community. For the first couple hours we worked fixing up bikes brought in by the locals, with a little soccer on the side. This was a ton of fun and my favourite volunteer work yet. After, we headed back to the base for some lunch and our next activity.

To start our afternoon we enjoyed a nice lunch of quesadillas with chicken and veggies. Shortly after we head out on the bus with Roy and Estaban our bus drivers to a locals house where we had our cooking class. We split up into two groups and learned how this family makes fresh corn tortillas everyday. They showed us how to crush up the corn and cook it on their handmade stove.

After enjoying some tortillas with potatoes and black beans we walked over to the field across the street and played some soccer and football. We also joined in on a local independence day and played tug of war, GLA vs local Costa Ricans, we lost… Fast forward back to homebase for dinner and right back out to a beach called Playa Negra for a sunset swim which was amazing! This beach also had some huge waves which made it super fun. To finish off our night back at homebase we showered and did a really cool activity to start our farewell called the appreciation circle. Lets just say a lot of people teared up at some point during this.

JULY 31
Written by Alex S.

Today we had optional yoga at 7:00 am. The main goal of yoga today was focusing on the heart and what the difference was between a good and bad relationship. After yoga we had breakfast at 8:30am. Once breakfast finished went surfing from 10am-12pm. The waves were about 1-3 feet. After surfing we came back to peace retreat to shower and eat lunch before we left for Hacienda Guachipelin hotel.

AUGUST 1
Written by Nick G.

The group woke up in the mountains of Guanacaste and took our bus to natural hot springs. There we did a skin routine including lathering our bodies with mud and swam in scorching hot pools and a chilly stream. After that we went zip lining. The group started off nervous and ended fearless. We then finished off our activities with white water tubing. The river was flowing swiftly due to the previous rain shower. To finish off the trip we took a GLA survey and got dressed up for our final dinner.

May 2, 2023 by Ashley Welter

Costa Rica: Surf, Sports & Sustainability (June 16-June 29, 2023)

TIME CAPSULE LETTER

Written by Bernardo

Dear students,

We can’t believe it has already been so long since our Pura Vida Costa Rica trip ended! I can still remember the delicious Gallo Pinto that we shared. It seems like yesterday that we were laughing in the rain while we were planting trees with Marcia, stomping through the mud with Frank to plant our mangrove seeds, and repairing the children’s bikes in the Guapote community. You’re probably back in school (or starting college!) but we wanted you to know that here in Guanacaste, Costa Rica we are still thinking of you and the impact we made this summer together.

We worked really hard and also had a blast together. Whether it was playing games at night, queen bee with our community members, singing songs on the bus, playing soccer during service or exploring new places together- it was that much fun because we got to share it with all you guys — the 2023 GLA Surf, Sports, and Sustainability Costa Rica group!

Don’t forget to share your personal goals with GLA too, they’d love to see how we are BEING the CHANGE in our daily life!

Thanks for co-creating this learning experience in these picturesques places and all the best with all your OMG projects!!

Cheers,

Bernardo and The Costa Rica Staff Team

P.S. Interested in traveling with GLA again this summer? Sessions are filling quickly! Check out our 2024 Program Guide for available session dates! We hope to see you again soon 🙂

Thanks for the checking out the blog for this Global Leadership Adventures program!

PROGRAM PHOTO ALBUM

Here are a few things you can expect:

We typically receive 2-3 blog posts per week here at GLA Headquarters from our program staff and students, so please don’t be alarmed if you don’t see a blog post daily – that’s totally normal.
Blog updates sent on weekends may not be posted until Monday.
Due to many factors, including but not limited to internet accessibility, photos may not always be available to post onto the blog. Sometimes onsite program staff are only able to send text back to Headquarters, where our team updates the blog.

Thank you for your patience and understanding, and we hope you enjoy following along on these unforgettable adventures.

For frequently asked questions about the blogs, please visit our Program Blog FAQ page.

-The Global Leadership Adventures HQ Team

Click here to jump down to the most recent posts!

BLOG POST FOR JUNE 16

Hello Families!

Our crew of twenty-two has arrived safe and sound in Peace Retreat in Los Pargos, Costa Rica. Everything went smoothly and we are so excited to have the students here with us.

Three rounds of buses took us back to home base and we were fed delicious breakfast, to-go burritos and sweet potato chickpea curry for dinner. The students took time to settle in to their spaces, play some games and get to know each other. We brought them into the big yoga studio for a short grounding meditation and an icebreaker.

It was an easy day so that the students can rest up for a big two weeks. We have lots of great service opportunities and adventures coming up. We are so looking forward to what is to come!

Sincerely,
Liz Sohmer (GLA International Director)

BLOG POST FOR JUNE 18

Hi Families!

We have been having a great couple first days in our time in Costa Rica. Yesterday we had a long day of orientation and creating our community agreement. In the afternoon, we received lots of rain (it’s rainy season!) and so we all gathered in the big yoga studio space for a salsa dancing tutorial and movie night.

For today we had our Leaders of the Day write about what we did!

This morning we walked to Playa Negra and saw many horses and chicken along the way. We played soccer and volleyball to pass time. We enjoyed our first time at the beach seeing monkeys and many dogs. We are very excited to continue our GLA experience!
~Eva N. – Leader of the Day

After we ate a delicious lunch consisting of nachos, we drove to Playa Avellanas where we all surfed. We were all assigned an instructor and learned the proper technique of surfing. They taught us to push up with our hands and keep our body low and relaxed. It was quite a challenge! After our tiring day on the beach, we headed back and had our own free time.
~Austin C. – Leader of the Day

BLOG POST FOR JUNE 19

Written by Boris H.

Hi families!

Today was an amazing and important day. With the help of an amazing and caring local member of the community, Frank, we were educated about the importance of living in a sustainable world. For that, we went to the Avellanas beach and took a critical view at the ecosystem of the mangrove trees. We learned about the importance of keeping these trees alive and the damages climate change causes.

After about three hours of walking, cleaning and analysing, we went back to camp for lunch. The afternoon was as busy as the morning. Filled with sun, plants and mosquitoes, we got to help the bomberos (firefighters) recultivate the forest after the fires from the dry season. With that said, we go to sleep with a mind full of questions and potential solutions for a future sustainability system.

BLOG POST FOR JUNE 20

Written by Demetri C. & Kalyna W. – Leaders of the day

Today we woke up to the cries of the howler monkeys and had a breakfast of rice, beans, eggs, fruit, and juice. Shortly afterwards, we returned to Playa Avellanas where we continued to pick up trash on the beach and collect mangrove seeds. Later, we assembled a structure, four mangrove seeds wrapped around a piece of wood, that we later staked into the mud. We returned to home base for a lunch of pita wraps and hummus to fuel us for the afternoon.

After eating chicken and veggie pitas for lunch, we headed to Avellanas beach to surf. Although it was a bit choppy and inconsistent, we still had a lot of fun. We focused on learning how to turn in the wave. When we returned to the home base we had pizza for dinner. Afterwards, we completed a survey about how we were doing and talked about sustainability in our mentor groups.

BLOG POST FOR JUNE 21

Written by Pratt B. – Leader of the Day:
Hello families, today was a very eventful day full of fun activities. We began the morning by visiting Callejones beach where we searched for micro plastics on the shore. The groups finished successfully, finding multiple pieces of plastics and enjoyed some fresh coconuts from the trees above as a reward. Later into the afternoon, we boarded the buses heading for Playa Avellanas for our third surfing adventure. The waves were the best they have been the whole trip and campers were catching waves left and right! We concluded the surfing adventure with some smoothies from the beachside bar and watching the surfing instructors shred some waves. The GLA campers enjoyed a nice pasta dinner and a fun movie featuring, “Grown Ups”, with Adam Sandler. Overall, day 6 has been a success for all campers and counselors.

Written by Sims W. – Leader of the Day:
This morning we headed to Callejones beach for another morning of service. We encountered many friendly dogs while we were there, and after lots of sifting we ate some fresh coconut and headed back to home base.

BLOG POST FOR JUNE 22

Written by Jack S. – Leader of the Day:
This morning we started off as a group. We all ate a fantastic breakfast from our wonderful staff at Peace Retreat. After that we went to a mangrove reforestation beach and sorted through early 50 lbs of plastic that we had picked up. Once done we sifted for micro plastics on the beach and enjoyed the waves. Pura Vida!

Written by Alice P. – Leader of the Day:
This afternoon we visited a goat farm where we got to feed baby goats, milked, walk around the area for a tour, and the best part… trying the cheese. We also helped out and did some compost work. Overall we finished the tour with a quick trip to the market where we got some snacks and sunscreen.

BLOG POST FOR JUNE 23

Written by Charlie B. – Leader of the Day:
Day 9 in Costa Rica was another service packed day with a relaxed reflective yoga morning. We learned the importance of listening and how to listen effectively in Kevin (our instructor’s) workshop. We followed up the workshop with an intense yoga practice focused on our upper chest. Despite the heat and humidity, we were able to finish our practice with our bodies relaxed and calm.

Written by Nick C. – Leader of the Day:
In the afternoon, we started off by driving to a site and planting 39 trees. We replaced 9 trees that were cut down by an oblivious man. We then planted 30 trees celebrating a couples 30 years of marriage. We were building a natural barrier of trees protecting against fires. Then, we went to the beach and played beach volleyball and took some nice pictures.

BLOG POST FOR JUNE 24

Written by Kelsey T. – Leader of the Day:
In the morning we went on the catamaran and the ride was so peaceful. We saw two turtles and when we got to the spot for snorkeling we all jumped in and started asap. We swam over to the beach and hung out until it was time for lunch. We went back to the boat and enjoyed each others company before going back and before we left the boat we had a chance to jump off a few times which was fun.

Written by Finn S. Leader of the Day:
In the afternoon we went to a fair at a local school. There was live music, food and other cool things to buy. We then played soccer with some local kids and went back to peace retreat to chill after the long day.

BLOG POST FOR JUNE 25

Written by Abby S. Leader of the Day:
This morning for breakfast we had gallo pinto (rice and beans) and eggs. We also had a colorful selection of fresh fruit and juices. After breakfast we had an eye opening yoga session where we learned about the impact and potential impact of shame on our lives and the importance to counteract it with vulnerability. Finally, we had a workshop with ex-pro surfer Andrea Diaz where we learned about her outreach program Surf For Youth (S4Y). This program changes the lives of a selection of students by teaching them hard work and accountability through the surfing lifestyle. In her words, “Put in the work to be part of the change.”

Written by Noah M. Leader of the Day:
In the afternoon we joined the Guanacaste Water Center to help repair bikes for the local community. while we helped with the bikes the kids could play soccer and or games to learn about bikes and the different parts.

May 2, 2023 by Ashley Welter

Costa Rica: The Initiative for Children (July 23-August 5, 2023)

TIME CAPSULE LETTER

Written by Nicole, Alysse, Emily, Diego, and Marbella (and Charlie;)

Hola Chicos!

The whole team-Nicole, Marbella, Alysse, Emily, and Diego, misses you already. You were such a fabulous group! We wanted to reach out now that you’re back to your daily lives and let you know that you’re still on our minds, and also to remind you of all the adventures we shared together this summer!

Firstly, we want to thank you for all of your hard work. Our service projects were challenging! Service at Juan Rafael school included hard work in the garden, painting the classrooms, and also refurbishing desks and chairs for the students. At Terron Colorado, we worked hard to elevate the classrooms! At both schools you had opportunities to work with students in English learning and other activities of fun!

We are so proud of each and every one of you. Your efforts to integrate yourselves in the culture by trying new foods and speaking Spanish were recognized and appreciated. We remember seeing each of your faces when the whole fish was served to you. No matter your level of Spanish language you all showed great efforts when communicating with students in the schools. All of you who were a part of helping to translate at various activities was a huge appreciation both for your leadership and opening communication for everyone!

Beyond our service to the schools, there are experiences we shared during our days together. All of your unique personalities had an impact and created unique moments to our group as a whole. Although we can think of endless such moments, here are some of our favorites:

• Empanada competition

• Connecting puzzle word with kids

• Endless hugs at the schools

• Signing for your fans

• Paint everywhere

• Competing for pineapple popsicles

• All the Gerards

• Breakfast pancakes!!!

• Soccer with the kids

• Day at Baldi hot springs

• Baby cows

• Fishing for lunch

• The sweaty dance class

• Hot seat

• Water slides

• Our extremely heartwarming appreciation circle, and the feelings that come with recognizing others and being recognized ourselves

Whether we mentioned you by name in this letter or not, we hope you know that you each made a lasting, positive impression on all of us. You showed heart and soul in your general attitudes and your friendships with one another, embraced the challenges of the program with humor and poise, and behaved yourselves all the while (thank you!!!!). We’re excited for what each one of your future brings. Follow your dreams and let them be your motivation to succeed. We wish you a bright future filled with joy and delight.

Remember your OMG (One Meaningful Goal) that you created! There are

All the best from your GLA team.

P.S. Interested in traveling with GLA again this summer? Sessions are filling quickly! Check out our 2024 Program Guide for available session dates! We hope to see you again soon 🙂

Thanks for the checking out the blog for this Global Leadership Adventures program!

PROGRAM PHOTO ALBUM

Here are a few things you can expect:

We typically receive 2-3 blog posts per week here at GLA Headquarters from our program staff and students, so please don’t be alarmed if you don’t see a blog post daily – that’s totally normal.
Blog updates sent on weekends may not be posted until Monday.
Due to many factors, including but not limited to internet accessibility, photos may not always be available to post onto the blog. Sometimes onsite program staff are only able to send text back to Headquarters, where our team updates the blog.

Thank you for your patience and understanding, and we hope you enjoy following along on these unforgettable adventures.

For frequently asked questions about the blogs, please visit our Program Blog FAQ page.

-The Global Leadership Adventures HQ Team

Click here to jump down to the most recent posts!

BLOG POST FOR JULY 23

Hola familias!

Today was such an exciting day of arrivals! For the early arrivals, those students were able to get a good breakfast of gallo pinto, fruit, and eggs soon after their arrival. They hung out at a nearby hotel until more students arrived and we were able to take the first bus of students to homebase.

Soon enough we left with the first 18 arrivals and we were en route to home base for a 6pm arrival. We arrived, had dinner, got settled in rooms, and rested in preparation for the next 13 days! The remainder of students all arrived by 6pm and they were also able to leave to homebase and were at homebase by 10! These students skipped out on dinner and went straight to bed!

From here out, the students will be writing the blog!

Hasta mañana!
Staff team

BLOG POST FOR JULY 24

Written by Payton Hart & Josh Stewart-Jones

One specific moment from today that we enjoyed was our 1 hour break time where we formed closer connections with the other students. Everyone gathered on the dock by the lake and played pool. Another fun moment from today was when we gathered in a big circle around the fire pit and played ice breaker games including where the wind blows and drop the blanket. There was a beautiful sunset, the sky was baby blue, pink, and orange. Our favorite meal was lunch. We had chicken, rice, beans, vegetables, pasta, and pineapple. Pura vida.

BLOG POST FOR JULY 25

Written by Lea, Emily and Ellie

Today was our first day of service! We went to a local primary school, Terron Colorado, and helped out the community. When we first got there, all the kids came up to us and gave us hugs! It was adorable. We helped children read in English, gardened, and painted the school walls. Then we saw a celebration of the annexation of Guanacaste from Nicaragua, where some of us participated in a tortilla making contest. Afterwards, we came back to home base, had lunch and participated in a coffee where we learned about the intricacies of growing coffee, and got to taste high-quality, locally grown coffee. Then we had our swim test, which was also our first time in the lake, and spent the rest of the day hanging out around home base. We finished the day off with a round of Hot Seat and s’more making! Overall, it was a really fun day!

BLOG POST FOR JULY 27

Written by Sunny, Cate, and Addie

This morning, we got to sleep in and woke up to the sound of rain outside our windows. Everyone’s faces lit up when they found out the breakfast consisted of pancakes and Nutella! After digesting our food, we headed to a leadership activity where we talked about the controversial idea of “voluntourism”. After wrapping up our discussion, we had our first lake day! We all jumped in the water and participated in many fun activities such as kayaking, tanning and boating. Then, we headed to lunch and got ready for our dance lesson. We headed to another part of the property and participated in an intense and exciting lesson on bachata dancing. Following that we had a scavenger hunt around home base where the winners were treated to ice cream. After dinner we had another group discussion on our unique “Rivers of Life”. Overall, it was an an exciting and eventful day filled with many new things and pura vida!

BLOG POST FOR JULY 28

Written by Julia, Sophia, and Tina

This morning we woke up to beautiful weather and a delicious breakfast already to foto our last day of service at Terron colorado. We connected with the kids for the last day while we painted and gardened. We then came home for lunch that consisted of chicken, rice, beans, pasta salad, and sweet tea. After lunch we got our belongings and headed to the animal rescue center. We saw monkeys, pumas, turtles, parrots, and many more. It was really cool to see animals that most of us don’t usually see on a daily basis. When we got back, we sat around in our daily chow circle and shared our favorite travel destinations. We also tried some local fruits; the pejibaye and mamon chino. Then we ate a yummy dinner before celebrating Christina’s birthday! She had her own treat while we all also had ice cream! There were confetti cannons and even a piñata! Today was full of new experiences and lots of pura vida!

BLOG POST FOR JULY 29

Written by Meredie & Violet

First of all, what a great way to start the weekend! After a full week of service; painting schools, getting to know the kids and weeding as much as we can. A nice day of relaxing was all we needed. Our excursion started bright an early as we set off to La Fortuna Waterfall! With the 500 steps there and back the cold, fresh water at the bottom was perfect. Everyone took as many pictures as they could and enjoyed the gorgeous scenery. Motivation got everyone to the top and the excitement continued as we travelled to a fantastic resort full of hot springs. Blown away by the thrilling water slides, warm water and delicious food, Baldi springs did us all so well.

Eventually, we made our way back to home base for some dinner and an early night!

Until tomorrow!

BLOG POST FOR JULY 30

We started our morning off with fishing at a national park. There was a small pond where everybody got a chance to fish. afterwards, we took a brisk walk to get a glimpse of the scenery costa rica has to offer. for lunch, we ate the fish we caught (food always tases better when you work for it)!

after lunch we headed over to la fortuna where we jumped shop to shop buying souvenirs and having lunch. We bought cute tops, beautiful cups and delicious ice cream. before leaving, we stopped by a pizza restaurant and were finally able to get wifi to connect to the people at home. As we returned to homebase, our bus shared lots of fun memories with each other. As an end of the night snack, we ate empanadas filled with yummy meat and veggies. With that, we wish you all pura vida.

BLOG POST FOR JULY 31

Another early start for day nine of our adventure. We ate a well balanced breakfast then headed off to our new service project at San Rafael School. When we arrived, we were pleasantly suprised by how many students were able to speak English. During our time there, we were able to decorate for their science fair, play freeze tag, paint, and help out during English class. After a hard time of saying good bye to the students, we grabbed lunch at a delicious local soda. Then we started the road trip to Arenal Park to enjoy tubing; a lot of laughs and a few tumbles later, we finally got the hang of it and had a splendid time. Thankfully, we got to celebrate our driver Don Luis’ birthday with a song and a local delicacy! We ended the night with dinner and a game of “Funny Olympics”. Now that another eventful day has come to a close, we are more than excited to see what the rest of the trip has in store for us.

Here’s the link to our photos from the tubing: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/gicfxi48jbviqfpvsr92l/h?rlkey=eypj3ug09h96g94prx1iyly2m&dl=0

BLOG POST FOR AUGUST 1

Written by Jamillah and Julian

We started our morning off with a filling, traditional breakfast before heading off to an exciting day of service. We were greeted with with a colorful balloon banister (courtesy of some of our fellow GLAers the day before) and headed into the bustling science fair! After splitting into our respective groups, some of us had the chance to learn from the students and asked a variety of questions regarding their science fair projects. The other group of students worked vigorously on painting the classrooms. We returned to our GLA home base and ate traditional Costa Rican chicken for lunch. We then had the chance to make traditional empanadas with the help of Don Alfredo! After an exciting day, we were able to spend a few hours by the lake snacking on our empanadas before dinner and our night leadership activities. Now that another day has finished we are so excited to see what have in store tomorrow!

Jamillah and Julian

BLOG POST FOR AUGUST 2

Written by Megan Gifford and Noa Tsur

Happy Dia de Los Angles! Today is a Costa Rican holiday where many people make a pilgrimage to represent the miracles made by the virgin during the year.

To start off the celebration, we had some fluffy pancakes for breakfast. We then headed off to service where we participated in painting, sanding and forming a new driveway. After service we headed back to home base and had some yummy chicken for lunch. We all got together after lunch and did a leadership activity. This activity taught us to work together and how one person can make or break a situation.

After, we all headed over to town where we talked to locals, stoped for ice cream and played soccer with the kids. When we got back from town, we all enjoyed some much-needed rest and got ready for dinner. We had some delicious pasta for dinner that was a perfect end to the day. We split into our mentor groups and engaged in an activity that explored our identities in the form of a poem. It was a good way to learn more about ourselves and our peers. Everyone grabbed their phones and “went to call their parents” before bed. It was another wonderful day in Costa Rica!

Looking forward to making more memories in our last few days,
Megan Gifford and Noa Tsur

BLOG POST FOR AUGUST 3

Written by Aarav and Nolan

Today was another fantastic day! With only 2 days left in the program, we had an eventful day that we will never forget. Today was our last day of community service which was very memorable because we had to say goodbye to the kids. Today we split into 3 groups and focused on teaching the kids how to code, painting classrooms, and building a rock path to the school. After our final service, the school’s principal, Don Edward, gave us a heartfelt goodbye and thanked us for everything we’d done. After lunch, we all headed down to eat some coconuts. Thanks to Freddie for chopping up those coconuts for us, they were delicious! Then we went to Don Maikol’s house where we learned about his family’s milk and cheese project which they have been working on for the last 2 years. At his home, we learned how to milk cows and we learned about the cheese making process. We also helped feed a little calf who was only 8 days old. Don Maikol also let us try his many drinks and snacks including orange juice, coffee, and his homemade cheese. After the Milk and Cheese workshop, 4 kids came over to the home base to play soccer with us. For our nightly activity we took a stroll down memory lane and wrote down personal and group goals that we wanted to carry on from GLA to our lives afterwards. We presenting these goals through funny and entertaining skits and raps. Overall, today was a great day.

Aarav y Nolan

BLOG POST FOR AUGUST 4

Written by Ryan and Johnny

Hello Everyone,

Johnny and Ryan here to wrap everything up for you today. We started off like normal getting ready for the day and eating the good ole Costa Rican classic breakfast. Then we made our way to zip line, where we found ourselves soaring the skies and really enjoying the beautiful land. Afterwards we returned to home base and after lunch, we decided to cool ourselves down with some ice cream. When we came back we got ready for our farewell dinner and packed for our return. Before the dinner we shared our most memorable experiences throughout the two weeks. Mine was when the power went out and all us boys laughed about aliens and the new sixers head coach that doesn’t exist (Ryan). Mine was playing soccer with the kids back at homebase (Johnny). In the candlelight we had the special Don Alfredo Alfredo pasta. And to wrap our night we had an appreciation circle where we tapped each others shoulders about things we liked about each other when our backs were turned. Then, we read the letters we spent the past few days writing to each other in our “appreciation boxes”. It was quite emotional for all of us to say the least.

Overall, we feel genuinely very fulfilled as a closure to this experience. Thank you very much for reading!

BLOG POST FOR AUGUST 5

Today was the departure day for students. Everyone was up with the sun for the departures. Miss Payton left at 2 in the morning to catch her early flight! We grabbed quick snacks and said goodbye to our home away from home. One bus left at 5:30 and the other at 7:00. After a few hours in the bus each group arrived at the airport and students were all able to check in and we said our last goodbyes. Many students were very excited to get past security to grab some Starbucks and find their gate. We miss them already!! We hope they’re all arriving safe and sound at their homes across the world. We wish them a great school year and the best in all their endeavors!

-Staff Team (Alysse, Nicole, Diego, Emily, and Marbella)

ZIPLINE PICS

Hello families! The program staff has sent over a link to all of the zipline photos. Click here to check them out in the sub-folder titled “New Folder.”