PROGRAM PHOTO ALBUM

TIME CAPSULE LETTER

Hi Crew,

I hope you’re all doing great and settling back into life at home. Reflecting on our amazing time together, we’re so proud of everything we accomplished—from releasing baby turtles and playing volleyball with the locals in Parismena to conquering fears while ziplining and white water rafting through the Costa Rican jungle.

Some highlights include swimming in the river from our rafts during white water rafting, enjoying the breathtaking views from our zipline while trying not to spin, and helping each other out during bus rides. We also got to explore our farm at Home Base and see the beautiful landscapes of Costa Rica. Celebrating each other on our last night in Costa Rica, everything we did created memories we won’t forget.

Our One Meaningful Goal is leading the community to awareness and proactivity by educating and volunteering within the community.

Let’s keep that spirit alive by continuing to make a positive impact in our own communities through education and volunteering. Remember the fun, the friendships, and the sunsets we shared. You all have the power to inspire change. Remember, only a few people know what that experience was like, so continue to stay in touch and support each other. Keep our group active, organize video calls, and plan reunions when possible.

Thanks for helping to make these special memories in an amazing place and good luck with all your projects. Pura Vida!

With Appreciation,

Amanda, Fernanda, and Julio

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

Here are a few things to know and expect:

1. Blog posts are written by onsite program staff and/or students and sent to our Headquarters team who will post the blog on this page.
2. We typically receive 2-3 blog updates per week from each program, so please don’t be alarmed if you don’t see a blog post every day – that’s totally normal.
3. Blog updates received late in the evening or overnight will be posted the following day.
4. Blog updates received on weekends may not be posted until Monday.
5. Due to many factors such as internet accessibility, program staff aren’t always able to send photos, so some blog posts may contain text only.

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

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

-The Global Leadership Adventures HQ Team

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Click here to jump down to the most recent post!

BLOG POST FOR JUNE 24

Hola,

We are so excited to share that everyone has arrived safely in Costa Rica. Our first day together has been filled with fun and bonding as we prepare for the incredible adventures ahead.

Tomorrow, we’re headed to Parismina, and the excitement is visible! To kick off our journey, we took a tour of our current lodge learning about its owl program and butterfly garden. As the sun began to set, we gathered for our Sunset Circle. This was a special time where we got to learn everyone’s names and share what we’re most looking forward to during our time together. It was heartwarming to hear everyone’s hopes and dreams for the days to come. We spent the evening playing a few lively rounds of UNO which quickly became a group favorite. We also enjoyed some chill vibes listening to music, which set the perfect mood for our evening activities. It’s clear that we have an amazing group of individuals ready to make the most of this experience.

PS. Once we get to Parismina we’ll be detaching from our phones more, embracing the jungle, and appreciating the beach. We’ll send a daily blog but won’t be calling or texting daily. Of course, our directors can be reached 24/7 if anything comes up.

Pura Vida!

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BLOG POST FOR JUNE 25

Today the group began our journay to Parismina, After 2 hrs, we stopped for lunch to engage in a leadership activity to gain on understanding on how everybody feels being disconnected from their electronics. We asked the group various questions to disagree or agree if electronics are essential part of their day. Once we-arrived to homebase, we swam in the warm oceans, played games & began orientation. After that we had dinner, did our community agreements , and played bonding games, such as “the wind blows…” which showed us that were more similar than we think, we ended the day seeing a monkey and sloth outside. We’re very excited to see what the rest of the week holds for us

Written by Jordan and Ayda

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BLOG POST FOR JUNE 26

Today we started off with a group breakfast at 8AM. All the food here is so delicious and nutritious, we’re very grateful to our chefs here at home base. After breakfast we had free time so some of us played soccer on the beach, and went on walks around our home base. There were so many monkeys and beautiful flowers!

After lunch, we broke up into roles for our sea turtle debate. In this, we had a simulated discussion where we got to step into the shoes of the locals of Parismina. This opened our eyes to different perspectives regarding the poaching of sea turtles in the community.

Next, Michael, our local directors relative visited our home base and educated us on the sea turtles living in and around Parismina. He touched on their nesting habits, roles in the ecosystem, and how the percentage of turtle hatchlings able to make it out to sea has increased from 2% to 68% thanks to ASTOP (Association of Saving Turtles of Parismina). We’re thrilled to be doing our part for a greater good. All this knew knowledge will be useful for our first night patrol tonight. We hope to be a presence on the beach tonight and help protect the turtles of Parísmina.

Written by Gabi and Sophia

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BLOG POST FOR JUNE 27

To begin, we went on a tour of Jason’s (Local Director) farm where we were exposed to the diversity of wildlife in Costa Rica including various different plant species. During the farm tour, we had the opportunity to taste a fresh coconut along with the meat and the water found within the plant. Furthermore, we tried cane sugar and heart of palm while Jason explained the health benefits along with the growing process of each plant. After the farm tour, we had some free time where we collectively competed in a beach volleyball tournament that involved teamwork and communication.

Additionally, we went on a beach clean up where we divided into two groups and indulged in picking up trash ranging from micro plastics to larger plastic objects. During the beach clean up time, we were enlightened on the struggles of Parismina as well as the experience of local/ traveling volunteers as they assist in cleaning the community. To end the day off, we participated in a night patrol with the goal of seeing sea turtles in order to ensure they make it out of sea.

Written by Paige and Isabella Jo

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BLOG POST FOR JUNE 28

We had an early start to our day with a surprise sea turtle release. We sent off five baby leatherback turtles into the ocean to start their new lives! Afterwards, we had breakfast and hopped on trucks to head to the town. Two of the ASTOP leaders gave us a tour of the hatchery and of the town of Parismina, including a cooking class where we made empanadas. Then, we ate lunch and got smoothies and ice cream. Later, we went to the market to check out the local shops and buy gifts for our families. Some of us got their hair done as well! Then we played a few games of beach volleyball with some of the locals and headed back to homebase. It was really cool to see how the locals lived and to learn more about Parismina. Later, we had dinner and completed a reflection on our trip so far. We then played some charades and other camp games. Afterwards we went to bed to end our day.

Written by Shivali and Tommy

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BLOG POST FOR JUNE 29

Hola from Costa Rica!! Today was the 6th day of our GLA Adventure. We first woke up and had eggs, watermelon, pineapple, arepas, and fruit juice. After we ate, we went straight to the boat and saw a tour of all the canals and rivers that are surrounding us. We saw tons of wildlife including different types of monkeys, baby alligators, birds, frogs cows. All the animals were super cool and were appreciative to be able to see such amazing creatures in which we never would have seen. Once we returned, we had chicken fried rice for lunch. After lunch we had free time until Jason’s brother introduced us to local and organic farming of vanilla in costa rica. He taught us that the pineapple and banana farms were harming many different types of wildlife including sea turtles and other species. He also informed us to only buy organic bananas and pineapples as the non-organic alternatives are extremely harming to the environment. Soon after that presentation, we participated in a leadership activity similar to shark tank in preparation for games tomorrow.

Today we started off by playing a speed dating inspired game. This game taught us to remember the little things about one another and improved our communication skills. Then we walked out to the beach for our daily sunset circle. We returned back to home base for a delicious dinner which was pas with tomato sauce, garlic bread, salad, ana monade. Lastly, we finished out the night by going on a night patrol walk for sea turtles from 8pm-12am. That’s all for today!

Adios, from Molly and Niki!

Written by Molly and Niki

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BLOG POST FOR JUNE 30

We started our day with breakfast and got ready for a day of activities that the students came up with. We played three games in total until we went to the beach.

When we got back from the beach we had lunch. After that we played two more games, one of which included cleaning up the beach. All the games we played demonstrated and helped us learn leadership skills such as communication, teamwork, and more. Next, we got together in our mentor groups created fans with compliments on them for our peers. We went to the beach once again after that.

Once we got back from the beach we had a dance lesson. We learned many new dances including the salsa and cha-cha slide. After words we met for sunset circle and later had dinner. We are curre getting ready for our last turtle patrol. We hope to see another turtle after an eventful patrol last night where we found a hawksbill sea turtle, Adios!

Written by Lila and Dylan

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BLOG POST FOR JULY 1

Today we went white water rafting pretty much the entire day, it was much more intense but entertaining than we antcipated. We went down a bunch of “level 4″ out of 5 rapids which meant that the intensity level of the rapids was high. Our raft guide was super helpful and had us easily get our boat through the waters. At the midpoint of our rafting journey, we had lunch, where we made our own tacos burritos, before we continued down the river. One highlight was a canyon area where we were able to get out of the water and float in it similarly to otters. When our rafting journey was complete, we drove back and had our leadership activity where we created a community goal for our group.

Our community goal ended up being “Leading the community to awareness and proactivity by educating and volunteering”. Reflecting on the day, it was an incredibly fun and exciting ride, both literally and figuratively, and it was wrapped up with a leadership activity that brought our closely-knit group even closer as a community.

Written by Simon and Torin

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BLOG POST FOR JULY 2

Written by Lyla and Nora

6 A.M. was the earliest this group had ever seen the sun. By boat and bus, we made it to our zip-lining destination! GLA and zip-lining staff guided 21 students through their fears of heights, bugs, and humidity. All students and staff safely made the trip by soaring through the sky, deep in the Costa Rican jungle. By the end of our thrilling zip, we all filed into the buses and vans that would take us back to the Robledal hotel.

There, we prepared for our departure tomorrow, said tearful goodbyes, and celebrated the birthdays of students with piñatas and cake. Just before dinner, the leadership awards in six different categories were announced and given, along with meaningful moments signed by every student. While the students will miss their time in Costa Rica, they are all eager to return to their families, friends, and pets.

Adios, Pura Vida!

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BLOG POST FOR JULY 3

Dear Costa Rica and GLA,

Today is our final day with you. The first group already said goodbye, as they had an early start and left Home Base at 4:15 AM. The others enjoyed one last breakfast at Home Base and left at either 10:15 AM or 4:30 PM, depending on their flight time. This adventure was truly incredible. From releasing baby turtles to playing volleyball with the locals of Parismina, we learned so much about what we’re doing and how it affects other communities. We will try to be more conscious and proactive in our own communities and strive to be better leaders. Everyone had so much fun with you, but it’s safe to say we were also all excited to get back home. Goodbye and thank you, Costa Rica. It was nice visiting you. Pura Vida!

Written by Callia

PROGRAM PHOTO ALBUM

TIME CAPSULE LETTER

Hi Crew,

Julio, Rebecca, and Amanda here! It feels like just yesterday we were all together, facing new adventures and making unforgettable memories in Costa Rica. We wanted to reach out and thank you for giving us the incredible pleasure of meeting each and every one of you.

From the adrenaline rush of zip lining and the invigorating plunge into the cold waters during our rafting excursion to the appreciation circle, where we all shared our thoughts and expressed our gratitude for each other, we shared some amazing moments. We hope these experiences have stayed with you as fondly as they have with us.

Your commitment to personal growth and the transformation of the community of Parismina was truly inspiring. Watching you all work together and create the goal to disconnect from technology, and build meaningful relationships with the community and the environment was a beautiful sight. You are truly changing the world, one day at a time.

But the journey doesn’t end here. We encourage you to continue connecting with each other, bonding over the unique experiences you shared. Keep the lines of communication open, share ideas, and support one another in your ongoing efforts to make a positive impact. Whether it’s through group chats, video calls, or social media, stay in touch and keep the spirit of our adventure alive.

Share your ideas on how to continue changing your communities and the environment. Organize meet-ups, collaborate on projects, and inspire others with the lessons you’ve learned. Remember, the bonds you’ve formed and the knowledge you’ve gained are powerful tools in driving change.

Keep that spirit alive! Continue to be the change in your community, and know that you always have the support of your GLA family. We believe in each one of you and can’t wait to see the incredible things you will achieve.

With warm appreciation,

Julio, Rebecca, and Amanda

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

Here are a few things to know and expect:

1. Blog posts are written by onsite program staff and/or students and sent to our Headquarters team who will post the blog on this page.
2. We typically receive 2-3 blog updates per week from each program, so please don’t be alarmed if you don’t see a blog post every day – that’s totally normal.
3. Blog updates received late in the evening or overnight will be posted the following day.
4. Blog updates received on weekends may not be posted until Monday.
5. Due to many factors such as internet accessibility, program staff aren’t always able to send photos, so some blog posts may contain text only.

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

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

-The Global Leadership Adventures HQ Team

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Click here to jump down to the most recent post!

BLOG POST FOR JUNE 11

Our Costa Rican adventure has begun as most of our students have arrived for the Sea Turtle Initiative! We met joyfully at the airport and are now eagerly awaiting the arrival of two more students, who will be picked up from the airport later tonight. Today, we got some pool time and students met one one-on-one with their mentors. We engaged in the “We’re Not Really Strangers” activity, which helped us laugh, deepened our connections, and helped build a strong sense of community. We learned a lot about each other and enjoyed delicious Costa Rican meals of Casado and fajitas. We concluded the day with a sunset circle, discussing tonight’s and tomorrow’s early schedule, preparing everyone for an exciting ziplining adventure in the morning. Stay tuned for more updates!

Our students headed to their room after Sunset Circle after a long day of travel. Also, there are several students who will be arriving at home base after lights out. A group picture will be captured and sent with all students at 6:30AM.

Pura Vida!

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BLOG POST FOR JUNE 13

In the morning of group of students went to the beach for the first time during the trip later, Jason gave the students an inspiring talk about the history of Parismeng and the house he built. The students then enjoyed free time playing cards and connecting, playing games at the beach.

After lunch, the group held a group debate where they role-played as different groups in the community and discussed the topic of sea turtle conservation. We learned how different perspectives heavily affected various parts of the community and how the government has to put all considerations into perspective when making decisions. The leaders of the day role-played the government and led the discussions.

Later a guest speaker joined us and talked about the purpose and history of conservation efforts. He also told us about the night patrol we would be doing. Finally, we ended the day with a four-hour beach patrol to protect the sea turtles. Pura Vida!!

Written by Tullah and Elle

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BLOG POST FOR JUNE 14

Hello from Costa Rica!

Day 4 of our 10 day Sea Turtle Initiative program and we have been having a ton of fun!

Early this morning, a group of students went to the beach to enjoy the ocean. They were able to play with boogie boards and go swimming.

After breakfast we went in a tour of the farm on the property. We saw lots of different fruits and some of the braver students got to try some tasty bugs! Everyone got to pick lemons which we later had as lemonade with dinner.

Lastly, after a short break, we headed to pick up some trash and help keep the beach clean. Everyone found interesting pieces of trash. We rallied to help the sea turtles!

Shout-out to everyone for helping keep the beach clean and the turtles safe!

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BLOG POST FOR JUNE 15

Hello from Costa Rica!! Sea Turtle Initiative, day 5, June 15th!

This morning we went on a boat tour through the rivers around homebase! There were lots of cute baby crocodiles as well as a baby river turtle! Many different species of birds were spotted, for example tiger herons and king fishers. Howler monkeys and spider monkeys were also seen swinging through the trees. Our local director showed us many cool critters like the red dart frogs, hanging bays and a baby iguana. The breeze from the boat ride was extremely welcoming in addition to the blue crabs seen below the bats.

Later on in the day we went in a vanilla bean tour at an organic farm. We first learned the different aspects of vanilla bean farming, as well as the impact agriculture has on the environment. They taught us about the impacts that big banana and pineapple plantations have in Costa Rica and also in the world.
Afterwards we enjoyed some free time and then had a fun dance class where we learned a lot of cool new dances!

Dinner was delicious and filled us with energy in preparation for the turtle patrol tonight.

See you on the flip side!

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BLOG POST FOR JUNE 17

Hola, we had a long day ahead of us so we had free time to connect after breakfast. Initially we only had a few of our peers but ended up with the entire group participating and engaging on the beach. After lunch we went into our reforestation service project in which students split by collecting and planting at Home base. Following that, we started our beach clean up with our mentor groups while talking about how we can make a difference in our own communities. We discussed goals for when we return home such as spreading awareness, leading by example, and disconnecting from our phone to build meaningful relationship After dinner, we’ll go on our last patrol of the trip.

Pura Vida!

Written by Wyatt and Cassidy

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BLOG POST FOR JUNE 18

Hola from Costa Rica!

Today, we woke up early for our final day in Parismina. After breakfast, we caught a boat then a bus to go river rafting. Once we arrived, we split into 4 different boats. On the river, we conquered up to class 4 rapids! About halfway, we stopped for lunch, with the guides cooking up a feast on the top of the upside-down rafts! We continued on our adventure after lunch with a few floating/swim breaks. We were able to wave to some locals playing in the water.

After driving home, we relaxed before dinner and snacked on some complimentary chocolate covered bananas. We had delicious spaghetti alfredo and garlic bread for our final dinner in Parismina.

We finished our night with a candlelit appreciation circle followed by a dance party!

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BLOG POST FOR JUNE 19

Our GLA group starter off the day with breakfast of fried bread, sausage, eggs, and fruit. We then all got packed and ready to leave for San Jose. As we left, we had our last boat ride if Parismina, and said goodbye to the baby crocodiles. After the boat ride we started driving and make a quick pit stop at a local banana plantation to see how it works. Shortly after, we ate lunch at a local pitstop, where we were also able to purchase some delicious local goodies. Finally, after out long ride back to San Jose, everyone got settled into our rooms and got ready for our final dinner and closing ceremony, including our last sunset circle with everyone as well.

PROGRAM PHOTO ALBUM

TIME CAPSULE LETTER

Written by Abby & the Costa Rica Team

We can’t believe it has already been so long since our Uvita trip ended! I can still remember the sunny mornings, Gyro running up to you with his tail wagging and crooked head, and the rice and beans every meal. Often, it seems like yesterday that we were playing football in the rain, working in the national park, macheting in the rainforest, and making food for rescued wildlife. You’re probably back in school but we wanted you to know that we are still thinking of you and the impact we made this past summer together.

Our time spent together here truly did make an impact. Y ou should all know you left Uvita a better place than when you came. Marino Ballena National Park has more than thirty new saplings that will grow into strong, beautiful trees. The trees and signs that you painted will stand
longer after your departure, making the environment of those sites more comfortable for the people who live there. And more importantly, the knowledge YOU gained on this trip we hope will serve you and the communities you go on to be in for the rest of your life! We now know how harmful plastic is to the environment, ways to protect our coral reefs, and treat wild animals.

I can’t forget how much fun we had together! You guys were a huge part of making this trip so fun by being a close-knit group. We got to experience Costa Rican culture by dancing, making homemade empanadas, chess games with Saúl, and many soccer games with local kids. We also got to visit two local artisan markets, eat lots of rambutan, crystalline waters at Manuel Antonio and an incredible sunset at Playa Hermosa, and try jackfruit (I promise it was overripe). I’m especially proud of all of you for making an effort to speak Spanish with the local staff at mealtimes.

We worked really hard and also had a blast together. Whether it was playing games at night, the pool party, blasting music on the bus, zip lining upside down, or standing up on a surfboard- it was that much fun because we got to share it with all of you guys — the 2024 Uvita crew!

Remember our Group’s OMG – “One Meaningful Goal”– that we created at the end of the session? Jules’ mentor group pledged to reduce food waste and attempt to buy more items second hand? Meg’s mentor group pledged to start an ocean service project and use reef-safe sunscreen. We would love to know how that is going! Have there been any changes in your home or even community?

Thanks for helping to make these special memories in an amazing place and good luck with all
your endeavors!

Cheers,
Abby and the Uvita Team

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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 13

Dear readers,

Kick starting our Ocean and Wildlife Conservation Adventure on a beautiful sunny day in Costa Rica.

The day began by GLA staff doing airport pickups and receiving smiley faced and somewhat exhausted teens. The 20 minutes drive from the airport to the hotel allowed the students to see some architecture and businesses they don’t usually see.

Students arrived refreshed themselves and headed to lunch for some delicious Arroz con Pollo with some mixed berries juice which was delish!!! Students had the chance to choose if they’d like to do the swim tests and chill in the pool or just take it easy and relax or sleep to ease off the long flights and travels.

Health checks were done and some students decided to enjoy some time in the pool to cool off while the others just hung around making new friends or took a nap.

As more students arrived from the airport to the hotel they were greeted by the students and staff already at the hotel curious to know the group of teen they will spend the next weeks with.

Dinner was mashed potatoes, garlic bread, chicken and beef fingers along with some pasta with tuna to go with some savory tamarindo juice. Students participated in some name games and getting to know each other through a game “guess who’’ where students state facts about themselves that no one else in the groups know.

The students seems to be enjoying each others company and the night ended with some crucial info for tomorrow and some typical do’s and don’t’s.

Students had a good day overall off to end the night and this blog so we can all start our two weeks of adventure strong!

Buenos Noches!

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BLOG POST FOR JULY 14

Buenos Dias,

Its day ONE of the program and the students have been very punctual and seem to be excited to have some delicious breakfast!

With a heavy heart students handed over their phones to us and got ready for breakfast and departure from robledal.

Gallio pinto with scrambled eggs, pancakes, frutas and juice + tea/coffee were on the Menu.
Students helped store luggage on the bus and prepared themselves for the 4 hour bus ride to our home base Uvita.

Some students preferred to nap/sleep on the journey whilst others decided to listen to play music and socialize with new friends for days to come.

About an hour into the drive we stopped at the famous ‘’crocodile bridge’’ and to our fortune we were able to see 4 crocs famously occupying the same spot as always, thrilled students discussed about size comparison with a regular human.

3 hours later we arrived our beautiful home base, students were given a tour of our home for the next weeks which they loved! Followed by some free time which most people used to get some tan and pool time.
Yellow throated Tucans blessed us with their presence, each one of us tried to look at them for as long as we had the privilege to.

Lunch was arose, pollo segado, en salada, tomati, picadado verturas, friholes.
Post lunch we did some orientation for the students to understand what their time with GLA will look like and understanding boundaries and rules.

We headed to the supermarket to be able to shop for essentials and some snacks followed by some playing football while the others played some volleyball in the pool as the day was coming to an end.

Best memories were shared have been during sunset circle some shoot-outs too, dinner followed by ”speed friending” that’s helping the students bond ever so tight.

Overall the group looks solid and we hope our days of adventure has positive vibes as today for days to come.

Chao!

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BLOG POST FOR JULY 15

As the sun rose in Uvita, so did us campers. Swiftly making our way down to breakfast, we were met with a delicious breakfast of eggs, local fruit, and of course, rice and beans. Students arriving to breakfast before 7:00 were rewarded with a special treat– curfew would be pushed back an extra 15 minutes. With this, students jumped onto the bus to start the first adventure of the day.

We arrived at the site of our volunteering for the next two weeks – Kids Saving the Rainforest. Our wonderful tour guide led us around the site. We saw the kitchen where we would soon prepare snacks and medicine for the animals. Finally, the time we had all been waiting for arrived. We headed out to see the animals. Macaws, hogs, monkeys, and sloths captivated us as we learned each animal’s history of why they are in the sanctuary. We then headed to Dominical, a town with a market, excited to start the next part of our day, and more prepared than ever to come back to volunteer tomorrow.

The buses arrived in Dominical and we all began their walk through town, toward the beach and the market. At the market we practiced our Spanish, haggling to get better prices on our souvenirs. After the market, the group headed to a local fruteria (fruit store) where we bought many local fruits for cheap!

Soon, the buses pulled into the Canto Ballenas Hotel. Everyone was starving for lunch. The hotel chefs prepared a delicious meal of fried chicken, with the classic Costa Rican side of rice and beans. Then we rested up, preparing for our walk through the community of Bahia Ballena.

Full and rested, the group drove over to the centre of the community where we were doing our service to learn more about the history of Uvita and Bahia Ballena. Our two tour guides described the development of the town due to ecotourism and the national parks, which stimulated the economy. We ended our tour with a refreshing snack of fresh coconut water and looking at wild howler monkeys and caiman.

At last, we headed to the beach, which we had all been waiting to do since landing in San Jose. Everyone ran across the sand at Playa Hermosa to jump into the warm Pacific Ocean and bodysurf the waves. We watched the amazing sunset as the sky turned colours of orange and purple while floating in the water. Tired and happy, we trekked back to the buses to head home for our dinner of fish, and again, rice and beans.

After dinner, we concluded our first full day in Uvita by listening to a guest speaker teach the history and pros and cons of tourism in Costa Rica. The group learned a lot about the importance of conservation and the differences between supporting local businesses and multinational hotel corporations. Finally, after the presentation, everyone headed out for one last dip in the pool before lights out! Pura Vida!

Your leaders of the day,
Katie and Xander

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BLOG POST FOR JULY 16

Today, July 16th, we woke up and had a delicious breakfast of eggs, rice and beans, fruit, yoghurt, and more. The first activity of the day was service, working with Kids Saving the Rainforest! We went back to our rooms and got our WITS together… Water, Insect repellent, Toes Covered, and Sunscreen. We hopped on the bus for about an hour to the service site, and passed the time with conversation, karaoke, and of course, friendship bracelets.

At the service site, we divided into three groups and followed the lovely staff to our activities. Today, we helped out with things like food preparation, dishes, building enrichment toys, feeding the animals, gathering branches for enclosures, and cleaning for the goats and chickens. It was very fun to see all of the animals again, and to get to know the organization better.

After lots of hard work, we got back on the bus to head back to home base for some rest and relaxation. We enjoyed a delicious lunch of rice and beans, salad, pork, and zucchini. We also sipped on some refreshing pineapple juice. After lunch, we split into our mentor groups, and one group got ready for yoga. While group 1 was busy with forward folding and warriors 1 & 2, group 2 played some volleyball in the pool and enjoyed free time. Once group 1 dried off we swapped; group 2 headed to yoga, and group 1 cooled down in the pool.

Next, both groups met up at Hotel Bahia Azul for a cooking class! We made empanadas with beans and cheese, and ate them piping hot out of the oven. They were delicious, and we tried our hardest to exercise patience and not burn ourselves gobbling them down too quickly (but it was hard, they were very very good).

After empanadas, we got back on the buses and headed back to home base for a little bit of free time. Some people chilled by the pool, did arts and crafts, and cleaned up in their rooms.

For dinner tonight we had some yummy spaghetti with meat or veggies (depending on eating restrictions), and enjoyed salad on the side. We did our sunset circle before eating, and everybody went through a highlight of the day and a shoutout to another person. Finally, we broke off into mentor groups for the first time after eating, played some games, and wrote letters to our future selves. It was a beautiful and fulfilling day, and we can’t wait for tomorrow!

Buenas noches,
Ruby & Luna, group leaders of the day 🙂

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BLOG POST FOR JULY 17

¡Buenos Días a todos!

Today we woke up and had a delicious breakfast including: pancakes, fruits, granola, beans and rice and eggs as well. After breakfast we left for our first adventure of the day! We began our first day of service in the community with a couple of fun icebreakers. We then jumped into various volunteer activities including painting informational signs, planting trees, and posting signs. We ended the community service by playing a large game of volleyball and managed to get up to 20 volleys without hitting the ground.

We headed back to home base for another wonderful meal, which consisted of fried plantains, pasta with salsa, salad and rice and beans once again. Then we had a speaker from Biosur come discuss restorative actions that we as a collective community can take in the future to help protect the rainforests on our planet. We then were led to a fruit workshop, where we tasted many fruits native to Costa Rica and enjoyed a fruit punch type treat as well. Later on, we went on a short walk to the beach which was within the national park we did service at that morning. After the beach, a delicious meal waited for us back at home base. Notable items from the menu included fresh made passionfruit juice, mac and cheese, grilled chicken, carrot and sweet potato puree, and lastly, salad. We ended the night off with some choosing to chat with friends and others watching a surfing movie. ¡Buenas noches!

Your group leaders,
Addison and Claire

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BLOG POST FOR JULY 18

The campers woke up on a terrific day in the beautiful community we call Uvita. A little rain never stopped these campers or squashed their spirits as they made their way to breakfast. The breakfast was incredibly delicious consisting of rice and beans (as always), cheese and ham quesadillas, some fresh fruit, as well as barbeque sausages, mmm mmm mmm. From breakfast, we departed and made our way down to Manuel Antonio National Park where our wonderful tour guides showed us the beautiful sights and pointed out some magnificent animals that we got to look at through a high-tech telescope to search through the forest and lock eyes with some mythical creatures such as red toed crabs, monkeys, sloths, anteaters, various amphibians and even a viper! Wow!

After a beautiful trek through the rainforest, we made our way to Manuel Antonio Beach located inside of the national park. Here we rode the waves, some campers played mermaids, we took in lots of sun rays and even some of our campers swam to a private island where they discovered many wild monkeys and saw a beautiful overview of the park and beach. So exciting! After enjoying the beach we trekked back through the rainforest and made our way to some picnic tables at a different beach outside of the National Park to eat a yummy lunch which consisted of a scrumptious pasta salad, some delicious fried rice and some wonderful chips and salsa. From there we took a little trip into town to do some souvenir shopping and some campers got the chance to enjoy some yummy fresh ice cream. The campers trekked through the rain back to the buses, on a fun exciting bus ride singing to music where everyone came back to the amazing Uvita. Everybody got to enjoy some free time, and many decided to go for a nice little swim in the rain, which was followed by a scrumptious dinner of hamburgers, french fries, various salad options and many dipping sauces. From here we had some mentor group activities where we had lots of fun and learned a lot about ourselves and others. Once again it was a beautiful day in Uvita and we are so excited for tomorrow!

Your wonderful leaders of the day,
Amanda and Kaylie!

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BLOG POST FOR JULY 19

We awoke to a beautiful sunny day at our home base in Uvita. We quickly put on our bathing suits and headed out to the beach shortly after breakfast. We had a totally tubular time learning to surf on the beautiful beach of Playa Chapman. We quickly picked it up after a steep learning curve and had a blast! It was a perfect day to learn, as the tide was low but the sun was high. After we finished surfing, we stayed at the beach and swam, played volleyball, and boogie-boarded. We had wonderful beach snacks that consisted of mango, and watermelon, and even learned how to open coconuts with nothing but rocks and our hands.

Following that, we revisited our surfing instructor the Costa Rica Coral Restoration Center and learned about their efforts to save the ocean’s ecosystems via education on coral bleaching and restoration techniques. Then we returned to the home base for lunch and prepared for the afternoon rain. We were then faced with the tough decision of whether we wanted to shop or play football. The shoppers “shopped til they dropped” and didn’t let the rain dampen their fun. Similarly, the footballers gardened a group of both locals and tourists and played. When the rains started they made the most of the situation by playing in the mud and puddles. The rain quickly turned into pouring, and suddenly we were all soaked but that did not stop the game.

Afterwards, on the bus ride, the spirits were high when the sun was low. The footballers and the shoppers alike both had a fun singalong to hits such as “I Want It That Way” and “Party in the USA” Unfortunately, we did not have a speaker, but that did not stop the acapella. Then we ate a wonderful dinner prepared by the kitchen staff that consisted of; rice, beans, pork chops, and salad. We concluded the day with a lovely conversation on the effects of social media with our camp director. Looking forward to another amazing day.

Your leaders of the day,
Norah and Kyle

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BLOG POST FOR JULY 20

Today was another beautiful morning in Uvita and the group was fortunate to receive an extra hour of shut-eye. We arrived for breakfast at 8 AM to feast upon a grand assortment of fruits, ham and cheese sandwiches, and chocolate croissants. After breakfast, we travelled to yet another local market. There, campers purchased various jewellery, clothes, and food products to bring back home. Next, we hopped on the bus for a short ride to the Uvita Paradise Adventure to begin our next excursion: ziplining. Despite initial nerves, the group swiftly gained confidence as they sped through the jungle from cable to cable. Some were extra adventurous, choosing to zipline upside down or plunge into the water. After the adrenaline rush, we relaxed in the natural water pools and gazed at the nearby waterfalls.

Upon our return to Homebase, another homemade meal awaited us. We had chicken, rice, beans, and pasta salad. Soon after, we departed for service in the local community with our lovely instructor Noilyn. Today, we did maintenance on the trash cans surrounding the football field. Others painted signs and some placed them as needed around town. The weather was gloomy, but it didn’t stop the group from participating in yet another football match with the locals. For dinner, our kitchen staff provided fresh tilapia, salad, and of course, rice and beans. The evening quickly became heated as the group commenced the debate. We discussed how to handle a bill regarding the protection of sea turtles. After many eye-opening positions on the topic, it was decided that a modified bill should be introduced to favor the local community’s needs and wildlife conservation. The group was thrilled to have another exhilarating day and are even more excited for our next adventure tomorrow.

Your leaders of the day,
Aida and Cameron

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BLOG POST FOR JULY 21

This Sunday morning the group slept in and had a nutrious breakfast at 9 AM. We had delicous chocolate chip pancakes alongside scrambled eggs, enchiladas, and a variety of fruits. After that the group returned to the Uvita waterfall we ziplined at the day prior to have a couple hours of fun. The group swam and jumped off the platforms, everyone had so much fun we stayed an extra 45 minutes. Everyone was so hungry that we rushed back to the base to have a nice lunch, where everyone enjoyed the sweet potatoe chips. The group had an hour to relax before leaving for service with the community.

The group arrived to the local soccer field for service and split up into different stations. One group was painting signs for the local comunnity and Caño Island. While the other groups each decorated a garbage can and recycling bin. The bins were colorful and decorated with sea animals to remind everyone it is important to throw away your trash to not hurt the ocean animals. After three hours of service some students returned to homebase to relax and swim in the pool and others stayed to play some futbol with the locals. Everyone ran around laughing and having fun, ending with a tie. On the walk home we made a quick pitstop at a convenient store where we bought some nice cold drinks to cool off and snacks to have later in the night. Once the whole group we had a delicious meal of chicken, rice, potatoes, beans, and salad. After dinner the group split up into their mentor groups where we played some fun games. Ending our day we are finishing Chasing Maverik which we had started a few days ago.

Your Leaders of the Day,
Katia and Violet

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BLOG POST FOR JULY 22

We started the day at 7:00 am with breakfast, we ate croissants, eggs, bacon, and assorted fruits Afterwards, we headed to Kids Saving the Rainforest and completed our third community service there. We split up into groups and completed different jobs such as using a machete to cut down trees and placing them in the animals enclosures. Another group cooked meals for the animals by chopping vegetables, washing dishes and creating enrichment. The last group cleaned various animal pens. We then returned to our home base and ate meatballs, rice, and salad for lunch.

Afterwards, we headed back out for our second community service of the day with Noilan and Henry. Today we went to a beach to complete this service from 2-5 PM. We split up into groups again and some planted trees while others painted signs that said “Area de reforestacion” so that others would be aware that a newly planted tree was there. In total of our community services with Noilan and Henry, we planted over 80 trees. During our break, we played quick games of volleyball and explored the beach we were servicing. Once we finished this we had the option of playing soccer at a local field or going back to home base and going to the supermarket. Once we returned we ate a delicious pasta with cheese, red sauce, rice, salad, and chips. Then we had a birthday celebration with ice cream. We ended our day with a guest speaker about the effects of plastic pollution and how fast fashion has grown to be the second biggest contributor to pollution.

Your leaders of the day,
Ziva and Deven

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BLOG POST FOR JULY 23

We started our morning with breakfast at 7:30 am, eating various fruits, eggs, chocolate croissants (our favorite), rice and beans, and plantains. After breakfast, we headed to Kids Saving The Rainforest, where we cleaned animal cages, prepared animal meals, and used machetes to chop down branches. While returning from community service, we listened to hype music on the bus, involving a group singalong. We returned to Homebase for lunch: rice and beans, pasta, chicken tenders, veggies, and salad. Soon after a short post-lunch break, we had a 1-hour long dance class! We danced Merengue, Bachata, and other dances, and even got a special performance of Costa Rican dance done by the dance instructor’s daughter. This dance class was many of our highlights of the day when we concluded with a sunset circle.

After the dance class, we had a long rest time; some headed to the pool, some read, and some chilled around Homebase. It began to rain, so we changed our plan of going to the beach to the options of shopping, getting gelato, or watching a movie back at Homebase. We watched Pitch Perfect 2! Dinner was at 6:30 and we ate some yummy beef/mushroom tacos with french fries and salad. Following this wonderful food, it was pool party time! There were chicken fights, belly flop contests, synchronized swim competitions, and a race. We had time to relax before bed, excited for our day trip to Cano island tomorrow.

Your leaders of the day,
Talia and Marley

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BLOG POST FOR JULY 24

We started our morning with breakfast at 6:30 am, eating quesadillas, various fruits, and yogurt as well as granola. After eating, we walked to the dolphin tour center, where we met our tour guides. Shortly after, we received our life jackets and took a 70 min boat ride to Cano Island. Once we arrived, we jumped off the boat and began our snorkeling adventure. We saw all kinds of marine life, including fish, sea turtles, eel, sharks, star fish, and more. After around a hour of exploring we headed back to the boat for a short break, including eating fruit and drinking juice. Afterwards, some stayed on the island to explore more and others continued snorkeling.

After the last group finished snorkeling everyone returned to the boat and we stared our journey back to Uvita. Once we arrived in the national park, the food was set out and we began eating. Lunch consisted of rice, pineapple, chips, beans, pasta salad, and juice. Once we ate, some people stayed at the beach for another hour while others returned to home base. Shortly after some people left to play soccer with the locals. Once everyone returned we met with our mentor groups and completed an activity based on reflection of our trip. Once that was finished, we headed to dinner all dressed up. For dinner, we ate chicken, fish, pork, falafel, mac and cheese, potatoes, salad, pasta salad, and juice. The kitchen staff were incredibly thoughtful with the food that they prepared. After dinner, we celebrated two people’s 17th birthday by serving a beautiful cake prepared by the kitchen. After singing happy birthday, we started the festivities which included eating cake and making slime. We then ended the night with a karaoke party. We relaxed, then headed to bed, excited for our adventures for tomorrow.

Your leaders of the day,
Abigail and Shae

PROGRAM PHOTO ALBUM

TIME CAPSULE LETTER

Laughter, warmth and tears of joy, are some of the emotions that this group of young leaders shared as they parted ways with strangers that have become family.

In these 2 weeks of understanding life from a different perspective in a new country and getting involved in a new culture, it is hard to believe how much you all have grown and learnt to accept life as it is, prioritizing the land that you’re in and its demands instead of demanding or showing disrespect shows the level of maturity you all had on this program that would have been possible without your contribution. It makes us proud to be a part of it.

As we all reflect on these weeks of adventure doing our bit in conserving our planet our memories are fresh with the thoughts of walking through the jungle to chop trees to feed the variety of animals at Kids Saving the Rain Forest, the flashes of some great work done for Marnio De Ballenos is fresh in our minds and is for every visitor to see through the cute signs you made as a part of your community service or the funny pictures that we got as some of you screamed for your lives as you swung between cables on the zip line or got dropped into the pool.

The memories of some of you learning to husk and break coconuts with no modern tools (mostly just a rock) were fulfilling to see it shows how ready you are to face the world with little to nothing in hand, the football (tournament as Nabil would say) that we won against the locals filled us with joy and pride that’s unexplainable.

Chilling by the pool playing games, chicken fights, making whirlpools, time at the beach, sharing stories of our lives, chasing bats and making friends with the pets at home base are some great memories to ponder upon as we stayed away from our phones.

Walking to the river, markets, fruitaria, bakery and all those local places we visited made the locals in Uvita aware of our presence and enough for us to make friends that walk us hello on the streets and some that follow us to home base to greet us goodbye.

The home base will also have your memories etched in them, you truly gave them the respect that filled their hearts with compassion to greet us goodbye and for Saul to shed more than a teardrop.

We learnt how we could work better with our planet through the talks we had, how we could be more sustainable by understanding fast fashion, how coral can be restored and multiply and how insects that you can barely see can teach you more about teamwork than the sports you watch on television.

Your time and impact have been more valuable than you might be able to comprehend, your attention and respect have been missed with every step you took away from us and our love and genuine words of care, affection and respect have been as real as the sky is blue and the grass is green.

Thank you for being a part of a great time of my life and making this GLA trip one I will NEVER forget. Pura Vida

Remember our Group’s OMG – “One Meaningful Goal” –

Reducing the use of plastic and fast fashion, spending less time on our phones to fully immerse ourselves into our surroundings.

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

Here are a few things to know and expect:

1. Blog posts are written by onsite program staff and/or students and sent to our Headquarters team who will post the blog on this page.
2. We typically receive 2-3 blog updates per week from each program, so please don’t be alarmed if you don’t see a blog post every day – that’s totally normal.
3. Blog updates received late in the evening or overnight will be posted the following day.
4. Blog updates received on weekends may not be posted until Monday.
5. Due to many factors such as internet accessibility, program staff aren’t always able to send photos, so some blog posts may contain text only.

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

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

-The Global Leadership Adventures HQ Team

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BLOG POST FOR JUNE 27

Dear Parents,

We are thrilled to inform you that Ocean Wildlife Conservation Adventure has officially kicked off here in beautiful Costa Rica. We wanted to provide you with an update on the arrival day activities and how your teens are settling in.

Yesterday, our students arrived throughout the day, and we ensured a smooth and welcoming process for everyone. The early birds had the opportunity to rest and, if they wished, take their swim tests in the refreshing pool. This was a great way to beat the travel fatigue and chill in the pool with their peers.

All students met our dedicated staff members and underwent their health checks to ensure everyone’s well-being. Everyone who was at the hotel had a traditional Costa Rican casado for lunch, which included a choice of chicken or pork, or a falafel patty for our vegetarian students. This delicious meal was accompanied by rice, beans, sweet plantain, and refreshing guanábana juice.

As more students arrived in the afternoon, they enjoyed a late lunch and had time to socialize and get to know each other. Dinner consisted of a hearty meal with rice and vegetables, salad, bread, and a protein option. After dinner, mentor Meg led a fun and engaging “get to know you” game, helping everyone to bond and make new friends. Our Los Angeles and Houston arrivals joined us a bit after dinner time, and our Atlanta team came in last, completing our group.

This morning we woke up bright and early and are currently in route to Uvita, where we’ll have an orientation day to get to know the rules, itinerary, and our peers. We stopped at a bridge this morning in hopes of seeing some crocodiles but because of the rain the water was much too high. We did see four beautiful scarlet macaws!

We are excited for the days ahead and look forward to sharing more updates with you. Rest assured, your teens are in good hands and are already making wonderful memories.

Warm regards,
Abby, Nabil, Meg, & Jules

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BLOG POST FOR JUNE 28

Buenos Dias!

The Ocean & Wildlife Conservation Adventure program has completed its second full day in beautiful Costa Rica. Students started their day bright and early with a typical Costa Rican breakfast of eggs, rice, beans, and hash browns with fresh cantaloupe and pineapple. Excitement was in the air as students loaded onto busses and started their four hour journey to our home base in Uvita. Although the day started early, the students were full of energy and ready to socialize. Chatter and laughter (and singing) could be heard amongst the group the entirety of our trip.

Before arriving to the home base, we made a pit stop at a river where students were able to cross over a bridge and see a flock of beautiful Scarlett Macaws down below. A big lizard also stopped by to say hello to the students. The group was abuzz with excitement over getting their first taste of Costa Rican wildlife and are looking forward to seeing more.

Finally, our busses pulled into our beautiful and lush home base in Uvita. Students were very eager to move into their rooms alongside their new roommates. After taking some time to unpack and settle in, we began our program orientation. Here, program leaders Nabil, Abigail, Meg, and Julius shared what students should expect in the coming weeks. Topics such as service schedules, local culture, code of conduct, and general housekeeping were all covered.

Following orientation, the group finished their swim tests in our beautiful home base pool then spent some time splashing around with their new friends. Students were grateful to have the chance to cool off after their first full day in the Costa Rican humidity.

In addition, the group created their “Community Agreement”, in which they split into small groups to discuss how they would like their trip to go and what actions they can take as a team to accomplish this. The exercise was met with lots of enthusiasm as they had the chance to write their common ideas and values onto a large piece of paper which has been signed by all the students and will remain hung on the home base walls throughout their stay.

The day ended with a round of “Speed Friending” lead by Meg. In this activity, students were paired up and asked fun get-to-know-you questions with two minutes to discuss their answers. Each round the pairs were switched up until every student had a conversation with each other. This really gave the group an opportunity to truly meet and chat with all their peers. Lots of laughter could be heard throughout the room as students answered questions such as, “If you could choose to be a vampire, a wizard, a werewolf, or a troll, which would you choose?”.

Our first dinner at home base was arroz con pollo (chicken and rice) alongside beans, salad, and homemade Yucca chips. To drink, students had fresh Passion Fruit juice. Yum!

After dinner the group headed out for an evening trip to the local store to have the chance to get snacks or any items they may have forgotten at home.

Overall, it was a long and eventful day with the Ocean & Wildlife Conservation Adventure team and students are feeling very excited and passionate about having the chance to visit Manuel Antonio National Park to take part in their service with Kids Saving The Rainforest.

Adios and Buenos Noches!

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BLOG POST FOR JUNE 29

Today was our groups first service day, we started our morning off at 7:15 with breakfast and started on our Kids Saving The Rainforest tour at an animal rehabilitation center, we met all animals and were surrounded by lots of puppies, we all learned each animals diet and how they lived in there enclosures. We had 4 different species of monkeys including the marmoset which can fit in the size of your hand, lots of birds including scarlet macaws. Sloths, peccaries (pig-like creatures), chickens, and the cutest baby goat (that I got to pet). As much as we were all very hot on this tour on the way back to home base we stopped at the Dominical market which resembles a flea market where we shopped around and picked up souvenirs for you parents. My personal highlight was our community walk where we got fresh coconuts and sipped on them while walking back in the pouring rain (very refreshing). Tonight we had spaghetti with marinara sauce and side salads. Afterwords we had a guest speaker educate us on the negative effects of tourism and what we can do to educate others on how they can stop feeding into tourism by shopping local and doing your research. Goodnight from your daily leader! Lyla and Brooke.

Buenas noches!!!!

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BLOG POST FOR JUNE 30

We had an early start this morning, waking up to a traditional breakfast of bananas con queso and an impressive spread of tropical fruits such as papayas and pineapples, ripened brighter than the feathers of a Scarlet Macaw. After a long drive we found ourselves once more at the Kid’s Saving the Rainforest Institute where we split into groups and began our aid to Costa Rican wildlife and the local conservation efforts. After our work and a well earned snack break, we returned to our base where we lunched on pork cutlets, cannelloni, arroz con frijoles, and local greens. We then enjoyed a relaxing yoga session to stretch and prep our muscles for the exciting beach adventure that was to follow. In awe of Costa Rican nature, we found ourselves frolicking in the sand and consequently thrown off our feet (literally) by the waves.

An outstanding student leader, also coincidentally writing this blog, stumbled upon a large coconut tree. Without hesitation, she climbed and then collected a scrumptious artifact to take while running through the rain that showered us while returning to base camp. Upon arrival students split two ways: some to the pool and others to a local fruteria. The latter group, after enjoying enriching interactions with the locals, brought back countless delicious delights for their mates to enjoy. Tonight’s dinner, widely considered the best yet, consisted of arroz, pollo, salsa de naranja, and more🔥. For tonight’s activities we bonded within smaller breakout groups, our first Mentor Groups, led by Jules and Meg. As we tucked in for the night, the moon, reflecting our new bonds and spirits, rose high in the night sky. We broke coconuts and waves to build friendship and joy. Another successful day had passed in Bahia Ballena.

Leaders of the day – Manny & Mariam

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BLOG POST FOR JULY 1

The group started the first day of July with a traditional breakfast of pancakes, eggs, pork bacon, yogurt, and fresh fruit. After breakfast, we departed for Manuel Antonio National Park to spend the day enjoying Costa Rican nature. After arriving, we split into two mentor groups and began our tour of the park accompanied by wonderful local guides. Right from the start of the tour, both groups were met with many howler monkeys hooting in the trees above them.

The tour guides set up their binoculars every couple minutes to show the groups plenty of wildlife including bats, iguanas, sloths, crabs, howler and white-faced capuchin monkeys, and many different types of hummingbirds. The group saw many white-faced capuchin monkeys climbing the trees with their babies on their backs. One of the mentor groups found plants that close up when touched and the other got to see a capuchin family cross the road. The tour brought us to a beach where all of us got a chance to relax and enjoy the calm waters. All around the beach, capuchins watched for open backpacks and lounged on the branches. We got to see the monkey theft in action when they stole a sunscreen stick and a protein bar.

For lunch, the group walked back to the beach outside the park and had rice, pasta salad, and plantain chips and had some time to enjoy the beach or check out the local shops and treats afterward. After a very rainy bus ride home we got some free time before dinner to enjoy the pool in the rain. At the pool, We saw a toucan in the trees and made a whirlpool. To end the day off we had dinner consisting of rice, meatballs, pasta salad, salad, and chips. Finally, we played a social game and had some very sophisticated conversations about social media. A day of fun in the sun ending with relaxation.

Yours truly,

Renata and Amanda

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BLOG POST FOR JULY 2

The day started off with a delicious breakfast which was rice, beans, sausage, and fruit. Afterwards we made a departure to the community service project which took place in the national park named Marino Ballena. Here, people were split up into groups where we either painted signs, nailed signs onto posts, or used a machete to create the posts. A few people also went to collect rocks. This took about three hours, and afterwards we made a departure back to the home base. After we arrived home, we ate lunch which consisted of rice, beans, salad, and pork.

After that, all of the GLA kids watched a lecture about bugs in the rainforest, and their importance to the Costa Rican environment. Then, a small group of kids went to play soccer on a communal soccer field with locals. While the kids were playing soccer, the other half of kids went into the pool. When all was said and done, we ended the day with dinner which consisted of rice, beans, salad, and fried chicken. Afterwards everyone gathered together to watch Knives out, while 6 of the kids got a supervisor and went to the pool. By then it was 9:15 and everyone headed back to their rooms.

With much love,

Keala and Marcus! 😀

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BLOG POST FOR JULY 3

After such an eventful day, one would expect the following to be restful, but this would not be the case for the GLA Ocean and Wildlife Conservation’s superlative schedule. Our morning started much like any other, with a carb-loaded breakfast consisting of pancakes, empanadas, and succulent tropical fruits. Departing for our morning activity, GLA students were restless towards the exhilarating prospect of beach board recreation. For many, it would be the first time ever experiencing the pleasure of such an activity.

Despite their inexperience, the youths were able to efficiently apprehend the instructors’ lessons ,and as such performed majestically atop the waves. To reward the kids, some beach time was incorporated into our schedule to allow them to further engage amongst themselves (activities included some sort of beach volleyball, soccer, and cracking coconuts). After their joyous beach prancing, students attended a local market to engage with vendors in both English and Spanish.

After such calorie-consuming activities, a nutritious and filling lunch is a must. For the meat-eating folk, delicious breaded fish was offered as a main dish, and stuffed eggplant for those opposed to consuming such things. In addition, the Costa Rican staple of rice and beans was offered.

To compensate for physical strain, GLA students were taken to the Costa Rica Coral Restoration laboratory in order to nourish their minds on important world issues. They learned of the importance of coral in marine ecosystems, and how the little creatures are quite necessary for us. Speaker James told the children of the foundation’s purpose, and how they could make changes in their lives to assist.

Post lesson, GLA students were taken yet again to the MaxiPalí in order to restock the most important necessity: snacks and drinks. Upon returning, free time was given to the kids, which some used to take a trip around the community in order to view cows and the river nearby Home Base. Dinner was served promptly after the return of this small group, being spaghetti with rich white sauce and salad. Mentor groups were held, where students reflected on their trip so far, writing letters to their future selves (to be read upon departure from Costa Rica). After all was said and done, Knives Out was put back on, where students either watched or mingled until lights out.

– Dylan and Delaney

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BLOG POST FOR JULY 4

Hello! Today we had an amazing breakfast that included scrambled eggs, fruit, ham, and just like any other day, rice and beans. After getting fueled up we headed out to do community service at Marino Ballena and help our local community in Uvita.

During the service, we split into groups that consisted of beach cleanup, posting signs on the beach, and raking leaves off the trails. We walked across a canal that led into the ocean and headed off in our assigned groups. The people who were in charge of posting signs finished faster than the other groups so they joined beach cleanup. For the beach cleanup, it was very hot but everyone was able to push through and help keep Uvita’s beaches clean!

Raking leaves was so exciting that everyone played an alphabet naming game to keep themselves busy. After an hour or two, everyone went on break and switched jobs. After another fulfilling hour of community service, one group, the raking one, decided to head back to the entrance of the national park and wait for the other group, the beach cleanup one, to leave and return to home base. Everyone changed into their swimsuits and either went for a little swim or chilled in their rooms until lunch time. For lunch we had rice, chicken and chickpeas, a vegetarian option, and salad. After lunch we had a little more free time and some people decided to go in the pool or stay in their rooms.

We then departed for the waterfall where everyone had so much fun! There were so many ledges to jump off from and into the waterfalls. There was even a platform that was nine feet tall and jumping made you feel like you were falling for so long. After getting a couple shots of adrenaline, we left the waterfalls with happy faces and headed back to home base. Some people swam while others chilled in their rooms again. Most times in the pool involve making a whirlpool which basically means running around in circles where the currents in the pool make you spin. After some free time we had dinner.

At dinner there were rice and beans, mashed potatoes, a hamburger patty, zucchini patties for vegetarians, and salad. After dinner we answered some questions into a piece of paper that was going to be used as feedback to our mentors. Then, we got surprised with a pool party!! Music started to play while everyone rushed to go change into their swimsuits. The party consisted of an amusing game of chicken, a belly flop contest, a fun game of limbo, and trying to catch a piece of chocolate into your mouth. Promptly we all headed to receive our phones and head to bed with a head filled with good memories of the day’s events.

Sincerely,

Inaya and Oliver

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BLOG POST FOR JULY 5

Hola!

Our lovely GLA campers began the day with the sun! At 6:30 everyone sleepily emerged from their bunks to indulge in a divine breakfast of quesadillas, rice, and assorted tropical fruits. The day quickly unraveled from there, as our students hurried to the Uvita Waterfall for a morning full of exhilarating adventure. Within minutes your favorite GLA students were strapped into harnesses and bound for the trees. Much like the four species of monkeys that dart about the Costa Rican forests, our apprehensive campers spent the morning racing through the trees on a series of ziplines! The course included a multitude of frightening endeavors; including ziplining upside-down, repelling downward, and being dropped into the depths of the beckoning waterfalls below. As the ziplining adventure came to a close, our campers were able to spend more time swimming in the pools of the waterfall.

Upon returning from a morning of audacious fun, many of our campers chose to catch up on some much-needed rest. In contrast, others chose to embark on a more daring quest: a journey into the local community to acquire milkshakes. The group then converged once more to enjoy an exquisite lunch of rice with chicken, banana chips, beans, and green salad. After the ravenous beasts had been appeased, the afternoon was spent painting and assembling trail signs for the Marino Ballena National Park.

Following community service several campers ventured into the community once more to visit a local bakery and obtain some essential sweet treats. Others chose to spend their free time lounging by the pool. To conclude another day of delicious cuisine, dinner included rice, carne en salsa, lentils, corn, and salad. Shortly after dinner, students were fortunate enough to hear from .. who eloquently spoke about the dangers of fast fashion and its role in the perpetuation of pollution, microplastic distribution, grotesque labor practices, and excessive water usage. This serious, but important speech brought the evening to a close, and students began to unwind for bed while dreams of future adventures danced in their heads.

Much love,

Delaney and Sophie

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BLOG POST FOR JULY 6

To start the day our campers had a filling breakfast of ham and cheese sandwiches, rice and beans, and an assortment of fruit. Then they ventured off to one of their many community service activities, this particular one being at Kids Saving The Rainforest, an animal rehabilitation center about an hour away from home base. The jobs at this site include cleaning and raking walkways, feeding medication and enriching the animals, and finding new branches to decorate the animals homes.

After we had arrived back to home base we ate lunch consisting of rice and beans, chicken tenders, and salad. After this the group headed out to a local market to stock up on some souvenirs for them and loved ones. Upon finishing the students split into groups for the afternoon, some went to Uvita National Park for a dip in the ocean, others spent the day walking around town doing more shopping, and the remaining bunch hung around home base for a restful afternoon.

For dinner the students enjoyed seafood fried rice, french fries, salad, and some vegetables. Afterwards they all gathered together to have a comical debate about sea turtle poaching in Costa Rica.

Sincerely,

Isabelle and Sahana

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BLOG POST FOR JULY 7

To begin the next eventful day in our trip here with GLA the students awoke to enjoy a breakfast of rich local fruits, pancakes, and bacon. We then headed out to continue our service work with Kids Saving the Rainforest, where the students divided into their groups and began cleaning cages, gathering young saplings to enrich the enclosures and preparing puzzles with fruit to provide enrichment and intrigue to their lives. After working the morning away we headed back and enjoyed a lovely meal of rice, beans, grilled chicken, carrot and potato puree and some salad to finish it off for lunch. After lunch we were lucky enough to get Costa Rican dance lessons, the highlight of most of the student’s day. Traditional dances such as the salsa, merengue, and many more were taught to local music. We also received a demonstration of traditional dance with Costa Rican skirts and some students were able to try them on and join in. Students then joined local chef Alan in preparing and eating empanadas from scratch in the afternoon. Afterwards students split into groups to choose how to enjoy their freetime, some headed to join locals in some carefree games of football, hanging out in the pool, taking a dip in the river while on a short stroll and whatever else they desired. We then joined back together to enjoy a dinner of hamburgers and salad. Afterwards we headed to have a bonfire on the moonlight beach but unfortunately some rain had rolled in so we turned back and turned in for the evening.

Celeste and Caden

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BLOG POST FOR JULY 8

The last day in Uvita and Hotel da ballena was extremely eventful, we started the day off early with a hearty breakfast of including Hash Browns, eggs and a selection of delectable island fruits.he group geared up for the events of the day, departing to the bus taking us to the local national park Marino Ballena. The guides at Dolphin tours gave us a run down on the activities of the day ensuring safety for the grueling boat ride ahead. The group gathered on the speedboat buzzing with anticipation, the boat kicked off with tremendous speed heading for the island Cano island, a 45 minute boat ride from the beach. As the speed boat started to slow from the bumpy ride over choppy pacific waves a group of dolphins surrounded the boat leaving the group in awe. The snorkeling tour continued to amaze seeing lots of marine life throughout the true world such as Sea turtles, Parrot fish and much more.

After swimming around the crystal clear reef the group needed a well deserved break at the island beach. Following the quick break under the shade, we hurried back onto the speedboat and settled down for our second turbulent journey of the day. However the day was not nearly rinsed of its activities, after getting back to home base the group split off into their separate afternoon activities. One of the groups participated in the local culture by joining a huge game of football against the locals where our passion for the game transformed it into a heated ordeal. The group gathered for the final time including an exquisite farewell dinner. The dinner came to a close opening a chance for smores and a bonfire warming the atmosphere around the students and mentors.

Luke – Nandini

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BLOG POST FOR JULY 9

The day came to an early start at a whopping six am. Once we had finished eating our delicious breakfast we left for community service. At Community service, we put signs all along a road at the front of the beach. Once we had completed our service we started to drive to the whale tale of uvita. The whale tail was exciting for everyone as we walked down the soft and comfortable sand. We played in the water for about 25 minutes. Then we walked back to the Vans as we had 45 minutes to pack up everything. Once everything was packed up we started to make our way to San Jose. Once we made it through 2 hours of heavy traffic, we had dinner. The dinner consisted of chicken, rice, salad, and garlic bread. Once we had finished our dinner we went upstairs for a lovely Talent show. Nabil played with hula hoops, others sang to Frozen, and Abby spun poi. Once we had completed that we had an Appreciation circle. We stood with our backs facing away and people in the Middle of the circle would tap us when a certain prompt Suited us. We had finished our appreciation Circle everybody filled out a survey that had questions about how our experience at Global Leadership Adventures had been for each individual was completed everybody started to leave the room and head to their Rooms.

-Jessie

PROGRAM PHOTO ALBUM

TIME CAPSULE LETTER

Dear mi amigas y amigos,

I hope you are all doing well, your school years are off to a great start, and you have not yet lost your sun tans.

Although you departed Costa Rica a while ago, your service work has left a long lasting impact. Our group spent many hours crafting gorgeous signage for Marina Ballena National Park and those signs are still posted along the trails today. We also had the opportunity to do some beach clean ups and trail maintenance. Together, our group did some fantastic work to keep Uvita’s jungle and beaches clean.

At Kids Saving The Rainforest, we got the chance to be up close and personal with some incredible wildlife such as Macaws, Spider Monkeys, Capuchins, and Sloths. All these animals had suffered injuries or been victims of the exotic pet industry and our group did our part to help give them the life they deserve (even if that meant getting pooped on by birds). Although it was hot and humid, we put in hard work cleaning cages, cooking food, chopping branches, and crafting cute little grasshoppers out of palm leaves.

Alongside our community service, we had the chance to experience some amazing adventures and excursions. At Manuel Antonio National Park our amazing tour guides were able to help us spot sloths, bats, grasshoppers, and lots of monkeys; However, I think most of us would agree that our time at the park’s beach was a favorite amongst us all. Swimming in the ocean in the rain was a magical moment we got to share together. Surf lessons were also a popular activity. Although for some of us it was our first time surfing, everyone was able to stand up on their board and ride some waves. Finally, whether we were swimming or ziplining, the Uvita Waterfall was a blast. It would be impossible to count the number of times everyone jumped off the platform into the natural pool.

Overall, this group was so tight knit and it brought so much joy to the leadership staff to see everyone playing volleyball and playing in the pool during free time. We could not have asked for a more adventurous or fun loving group. You all will be in our hearts forever. Towards the end of your trip, the mentor groups created their One Meaningful Goal which was to stop buying from fast fashion companies and eliminate the use of single-use plastic. Needless to say, your experiences here in Costa Rica and the new adventures and friendships you formed have set you up for success to achieve these goals. We believe in you!

Sincerely,

Meg DiGiovanna, GLA Program Mentor

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

Here are a few things to know and expect:

1. Blog posts are written by onsite program staff and/or students and sent to our Headquarters team who will post the blog on this page.
2. We typically receive 2-3 blog updates per week from each program, so please don’t be alarmed if you don’t see a blog post every day – that’s totally normal.
3. Blog updates received late in the evening or overnight will be posted the following day.
4. Blog updates received on weekends may not be posted until Monday.
5. Due to many factors such as internet accessibility, program staff aren’t always able to send photos, so some blog posts may contain text only.

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

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

-The Global Leadership Adventures HQ Team

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BLOG POST FOR JUNE 10

Hola!

Today began the first day of our Ocean & Wildlife Conservation Adventure, here in beautiful (and rainy) Costa Rica. All of our 18 students have arrived safely in Alajuela and are excited to leave to the program home base in Uvita tomorrow morning.

Students have enjoyed their first meals and had the opportunity to swim in the hotel pool. Those who arrived early had time to rest and relax after their flights. Some took their swim tests in the rain, others opted to wait until tomorrow for the home base pool.

For dinner, students had chicken (soy chicken nugget option for the non meat eaters), rice and beans, veggies, and tortillas with delicious coconut ice cream for dessert.

Upon finishing, GLA mentors Meg and Julius led the group in some fun ice breakers while International Director Abby picked up the last three students at the airport. In our first activity, everyone wrote an anonymous fun fact about themself on a a slip of paper that was mixed into a bag. A student would come up and read the fact and the group had a minute to try and guess who that fact was about.

The students found out a lot of cool things about their peers! In the second game, the group did a speed round to remember everyone’s names in the group. Then we threw around a soccer ball and the student who caught the ball had to say the name of the person throwing it to them, without hesitation.

Everyone was excited to meet their new roommates and start forming new friendships. Tonight students will head to bed early to get a full nights rest before our 7:15am departure tomorrow morning.

Buenas noches and Pura Vida!

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BLOG POST FOR JUNE 11

Buenos Dias!

The Ocean & Wildlife Conservation Adventure program has completed its second full day in beautiful Costa Rica. Students started their day bright and early with a typical Costa Rican breakfast of eggs, rice, beans, with fresh mango and pineapple. Excitement was in the air as students loaded onto busses and started their four hour journey to our home base in Uvita. Although the day started early, the students were full of energy and ready to socialize. Chatter and laughter could be heard amongst the group the entirety of our trip.

Before arriving to the home base, we made a pit stop at a river where students were able to cross over a bridge and see some wild crocodiles down below. Not only did students see crocodiles sun bathing, they also got to see a few swimming in the water. The group was abuzz with excitement over getting their first taste of Costa Rican wildlife and are looking forward to seeing more.

Finally, our busses pulled into our beautiful and lush home base in Uvita. Students were very eager to move into their rooms alongside their new roommates. After taking some time to unpack and settle in, we began our program orientation. Here, program leaders Nail, Abigail, Meg, and Julius shared what students should expect in the coming weeks. Topics such as service schedules, local culture, code of conduct, and general housekeeping were all covered. In addition, the group created their “Community Agreement”, in which they split into small groups to discuss how they would like their trip to go and what actions they can take as a team to accomplish this. The exercise was met with lots of enthusiasm as they had the chance to write their common ideas and values onto a large map of Costa Rica which has been signed by all the students and will remain hung on the home base walls throughout their stay.

Following orientation, the group played some volleyball, soccer, and played lots of games in the pool. Students even invented a new version of the swimming game, “Marco, Polo”, where instead the tagger shouted, “Costa!”, and the students responded with, “Rica!”.

The day ended with a round of “Speed Friending” lead by Meg. In this activity, students were paired up and asked fun get-to-know-you questions with two minutes to discuss their answers. Each round the pairs were switched up until every student had a conversation with each other. This really gave the group an opportunity to truly meet and chat with all their peers. Lots of laughter could be heard throughout the room as students answered questions such as, “If a different condiment could come out of each of your finger tips, which condiments would you choose?”.

Overall, it was a long and eventful day with the Ocean & Wildlife Conservation Adventure team and students are feeling very excited and passionate about having the chance to visit Manuel Antonio National Park to take part in their service with Kids Saving The Rainforest.

Adios and Buenos Noches!

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BLOG POST FOR JUNE 12

Awoken by the sun…and our alarms, we started the beautiful sunny day off with a delicious breakfast filled with tropical fruit and hot chocolate! Breakfast was served after some final fun trivia games and we moved on to our next destination.

We arrived at the wonderful Kids Save the Rainforest Animal Sanctuary and got to spend some time with the amazing staff and exotic Costa Rican wildlife. Among them were sloths who were best friends (and slept in the same hammock!), various types of monkeys, and peccaries (aggressive pig-like animals).

After getting an introduction to the facilities, we went back for lunch and ate chicken, rice, salad, and the national dish of Costa Rica-Gallo Pinto (rice and beans.)

Later, we did a community walk around the local neighborhood of Uvita, got to try fresh coconut and pipa cracked open by a local, saw the local school and soccer field, and saw the national historic building of Costa Rica with sphere rocks from the indigenous people, all while the rain of Costa Rica’s rainy season came down on us! Lastly, we finished off the walk by visiting the Marino Ballena National Park, which was absolutely beautiful!

Before dinner we did this activity called the Sunset Circle, where everyone shared a highlight of the day and a shoutout to fellow peers.

Finally, after dinner, we watched a video on the tourism conflict between the locals and the major industrial companies building hotels and were able to see the perspective of the harm of traveling and tourism on local communities.

Pura Vida!

Your first group leaders, Katy and Isaac

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BLOG POST FOR JUNE 13

On a beautiful Costa Rican morning, the students woke up filled with excitement about their jam-packed day. Today they would embark on various activities that they’ve all been looking forward to since they joined the program.

At breakfast, we were given options between fruits like watermelon, grapes, pineapple, apples, and more. Along with that, they could also choose to have pancakes, bacon, and rice.

Right after breakfast, students started their journey to our volunteering site called, Kids Saving the Rainforest. In this service activity, they would break up into three different groups to make food for animals, and work on the habitats that animals have by cutting down branches and cleaning cages. It was extremely exciting and eye-opening to see such amazing and one-of-a-kind animals so close and to help them better acclimate to their sanctuary space.
After volunteering with the animals, students headed back to home base and had lunch.

Lunch included a delicious salad, rice, chickpeas with pork, and falafel bowls for vegetarians. Along with the delicious entrees that students have during their meals they also have the option to have various juices with fruits that are native to Costa Rica.

Once lunch was over, students left for their yoga class which was both relaxing and fun. Many students will later share that it was the highlight of their day at our daily sunset circle. After yoga, a cooking class was planned where students could make homemade empanadas and tortillas–another highlight that students shared.
Finally, students had a fun time at dinner blasting music and dancing to celebrate Kathryn, one of the student’s, birthdays. We had a delicious red velvet cake and swam in the pool.

At the end of the day, students participated in mentor groups and played charades to practice communication with each other and took a night swim at the pool in home base to cap of their adventurous day.

Pura Vida from Uvita!
Your group leaders, Chloe Steuer and Lou Beunat

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BLOG POST FOR JUNE 14

The sun rose above the mountainside and the birds began to sing as students awoke in their rooms. They enjoyed a breakfast that consisted of different kinds of fruits like banana, papaya, mango, pineapple, and others along with rice and beans and a breakfast pizza.

Students left for service at 8:30 am and headed on a short bus ride to Marino Ballena National Park located on the scenic oceanside. Here, they began by splitting off into two groups where they parted ways to collect old directional and informational signs which they would then repair. When the group joined back together, students had the opportunity to either repaint the old signs or to create brand new ones from scrap pieces of wood. While the paint dried, students took a break and directed their attention towards the treetops where they would find sloths, toucans, and other animals.

Students arrived back at home base to a delicious lunch consisting of gallo-pinto, pork chops, eggplants with cheese for vegetarians, salad, and vegetables. After lunch, they received a great presentation from our first speaker of the day, Biosur. The presentation talked about the impact of insects on our environment and how we can reduce personal CO2 emissions in an effort to limit climate change. After the talk, students were released for an hour of free time in the home base. Here, they played card games and socialized before heading out to the local supermarket where they were able to purchase goods they may have forgotten at home and/or snacks for their rooms back at base. Before heading home, they stopped at the local gelato shop and enjoyed a sweet treat.

Dinner was composed of a chicken dish, a quiche for vegetarians, mashed potatoes, and two types of salad. After dinner, we had our second guest speaker who presented on the impacts of single-use plastics, microplastics, and fast fashion on our environment. After a long day of activities, students headed off to their bunks for a little free time before bed looking forward to the adventures of tomorrow.

Pura Vida!
From your leaders of the day, Kate and Stella

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BLOG POST FOR JUNE 15

As the students awoke on this damp morning, the air was crisp and filled with excitement. A wide variety of foods were provided for breakfast including french toast, eggs, fruit, granola, and yogurt.

The group then embarked on their journey to Manuel Antonio National Park. At the park, the students first split into two groups and went on a walking tour where they were able to see animals of various characteristics such as slothes, monkeys, and grasshoppers. The tour allowed the students to learn about the animls and see them through a telescope. After being led on this exotic tour, the students headed over to the National parks beach. At the beach they swam in calm pacific waves with beautiful views.

Following the beach, the group took a short walk through the park to where they would have their late lunch. They then enjoyed pasta salad, fried rice, chips and juice, with a visit from a clan of Cappuchin monkeys.

Then, students headed over to another beach to continue their fun tropical, and rainy, day. After traveling through a forest to reach the beach, students began their beach-day fun once again. They played a friendly game of soccer and swam in the gorgeous Costa-rican water. Once they were ready to head back to homebase, the group hiked back up to the bus and journeyed back to Uvita.

After arriving at the homebase, the students took a break before some of the girls headed to a local market. At the market, students could find vendors selling a variety of locally sourced and made products such as jewerly, bags, and food. They were able to practice their Spanish and enjoy a local experience.
Dinner was served after, which consiste of chicken fingers, rice, lentils. Salad, broccolli, cauliflower, and tropical fruit salad. As a change, the students then did sunset circle after dinner, and shared some of the many highlights this day provided. After sunset circle, students split into mentor groups and learned about how different materials decompose and how it can impact our planet. The students then enjoyed free time and went to sleep happy and ready for the next day.

PURA VIDA!!

Your leaders of the day,
Nia Thompson and Abby Ippen

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BLOG POST FOR JUNE 16

As the sun peeked through the curtains of the cabins, students slowly started to wake up and get ready for the exciting day ahead. They filled up their bellies with many delicious tropical fruits like kiwi, watermelon, melon and mangos, this was shared with grilled cheese sandwiches as the main course. After the students finished their drinks of coffee, hot cocoa and a variety of juices, they got ready for the departure ahead.

The next stop was Playa Chaman where students would learn the basics of surfing. They got an informational explanation on surfing and slowly dispersed along the beach. There they caught waves and splashed around. They later spend some more downtime in the ocean swimming around and playing games.

After getting back on the bus students jumped into the pool to cool off before having their next meal of the day which served fish, boiled eggs for vegetarians, rice and beans. They then got ready for the beautiful waterfall that they were about to see. The icy, fresh water they swam in refreshed their sunkissed faces from the earlier activities. Jumping off the platforms was the biggest highlight of the waterfall. Students were able to jump off a platform.

After a long and water filled day the students spent their free time in the pool cooling down and resting.

The students did a check in and learned to think about some SMART goals to have during the trip. They provided insightful examples of some goals they had. They ended the day with a delicious meal of rice, spaghetti for vegetarians, chips, salad and meatballs. After dinner they split off into their mentor groups and did a couple activities before they were dismissed for the night.

¡Pura vida! And Happy Fathers day to all the fathers in the families.

Your Leaders of the Day,
Maia B and Abby G

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BLOG POST FOR JUNE 17

Students were greeted from their slumber with the sun glistening on their faces, the air was filled with an eagerness to embark on another adventure and most importantly satisfy their rumbling tummies. To say the food prepared by the amazing chefs at the student’s base camp was good would be an understatement, greeted with smiling faces by all staff members the students were given a breakfast consisting of ham and cheese quesadillas, various fruits, and sweet plantain chips. As always students had a variety of refreshing juices to choose from as well as typical Costa Rican coffee, once all was said and done students set off with their WITS in hand or on the back and set forth for the expedition ahead.

The first stop on today’s beautiful day was Playa Chaman where students were divided in two groups, tasked with either clearing the path that tourists and locals alike trek all day long. The second group of students started where the previous service left off that being painting the signage signaling and delivering positive environment messages to all those who were willing to listen. Once service was completed students were granted the reward of a spectacular demonstration on how to properly crack a coconut with nothing but their bare hands, and enjoyed the fruits of there labor that being a refreshing swig of coconut.

Students then returned to base camp and were granted with an awe-inspiring meal consisting of chickens and lentils, rice, and the house salad. Students were then greeted with a bit of free time where most chose to bask in the beautiful sun that had greeted them in the morning. Students then later on went to a gorgeous part of the beach called the “Whale Tail”. We then headed back for home base where we had free time, sunset circle, and arrived to a lovely dinner. After all that we had our mentor groups and went to bed.

Pura Vida!

Your Leaders of the Day,
Matthew and Kat R

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BLOG POST FOR JUNE 18

The students arose bright and early in the morning for a nutritious 6:30 breakfast from our kitchen staff and with excitement to embark on their daily adventures together. To satisfy the hunger of our students’ stomachs, the talented kitchen staff prepared rice and beans, scrambled eggs, banana, blueberry, mango, watermelon, mandarin oranges, pancakes with a thick Nutella spread, and some sweet maple syrup.

Afterward, they rushed into the jungle for the thrill of their lives. Between hanging upside down to plunging thirty feet into ice-cold water, ziplining was a blast. The students then indulged in a second breakfast provided by our generous ziplining adventure company. The students boarded the bus and returned to the hotel for a delicious lunch before working hard at painting vibrant signs for the Marino Ballena National Park. After free time, the students reconvened for a meal of rice, beans, chicken, and salad. Dinner was followed by a heated intellectual debate in which opinions were made extremely vocal. The students were then ushered to bed after a long, worthwhile day in Costa Rica. Pura Vida!

-Chloe Spencer and Maya O

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BLOG POST FOR JUNE 19

Hola!!

This morning we started our day with a very nutritious breakfast at 7 o’clock sharp. We had Barbacoa, Gallo Pinto, tortillas, and a vast amount of fruit. We then set off to community service at Kids Saving The Rainforest (KSTR) wildlife rehabilitation center, where some students helped prepare food and toys for the animals and went into the cages to feed the animals. Meanwhile, other students were putting in the hard work to cut small trees down to help feed some of the animals. For lunch we had more Barbacoa, a rice casserole, beans, and some salad.

After lunch we went to the Costa Rica Coral Restoration center and James, the lab guy, helped explain what coral really was and why it’s important on a global scale. We saw coral specimens being grown and matured so it could slowly be reintroduced back into its natural environment. Students came back with some time to spare so they enjoyed a little freetime before dinner. For dinner we had fried chicken, french fries, rice (as always), beans, and some more salad. Now we’re gonna go to bed to prepare for our busy day ahead of us.

Love,

James and Natalie (the Leaders of the Day)

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BLOG POST FOR JUNE 20

This morning the students woke bright and early for a seven o’clock breakfast of croissant, eggs, beans and rice, and an assortment of fruits. Afterward, we departed for service where students got up close and personal with the animals while cleaning cages, making food, and supplying branches for their habitats. Lunch consisted of chicken, rice, beans, and assorted salad.

After lunch we had a little bit of free time, although it did rain most of the time. Once free time was over we had a 1-hour dance lesson and everyone was dancing on the floor learning the famous Costa Rican moves. Once this ended we went to the supermarket and we all got our own snacks and drinks for the rest of the trip. We then moved to dinner and had fried fish, rice, and beans.

After dinner, we had mentor groups and watched a documentary on how leopards need to be more protected and how they are rare to see. Today overall was a great day and we learned so many things. My highlight of the day was probably cooking food for the sloths and monkeys. Although the sloths can be aggressive they weren’t and were fed easily. Another highlight of the day was attending the market and getting snacks that are only sold here and that you can’t find at home.

Pura vida!

Chloe Spencer and Camden

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BLOG POST FOR JUNE 21

To start one of the most amazing days of our lives, we had to wake up pretty early, breakfast at 6:15 A.M. anyone!?

We started our journey towards Bahia Ballena and out to sea to Caño Island. We travelled by crystal blue waters accompanied by an awesome boat crew. Along the way, we were able to witness something no one was expecting…HUMPBACK WHALES!!!

After arriving, we popped on our snorkelling gear and, despite murky water jumped in and were able to see an abundance of amazing fish, coral, and even a turtle.

The beach was just as amazing as the water. We were greeted by a glistening beach, crashing waves, succulent coconuts, and a hot sun. It was truly an experience not soon to be forgotten.

Followed by a fun boat ride back, filled with pineapple and watermelon refreshments we arrived back to the home base.

After some free time, we all engaged in a group reflection activity led by International Director: Abby. Then we proceeded to a heartfelt sunset circle and a delicious dinner including pork ribs, salad, mashed potatoes, sushi, and pasta for vegetarians.

What a day, what a day!

Your Group Leaders: Isaac and Kate

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BLOG POST FOR JUNE 22

The students arose with the birds chirping in the crisp air. There was a slight breeze running through the trees. The students began to pack their bags before they indulged in their last breakfast at the home base together. Their breakfast included sausage, tortillas, toasted cheese, assorted fruits, and the usual rice and beans. Then, students took a refreshing walk to their last day of service where they raked and enjoyed a beach walk while picking up trash and properly disposing of it.

After students made their way back to the home base, they packed their bags and spent some of their last moments sitting by the pool. The students then dug into their last meal of mashed potatoes, chicken, curry, rice, beans, salad, and fried cheese. Then our wonderful drivers packed our bags into the bus and van and the students embarked on their four-hour bus ride back to San Jose where they enjoyed snacks from a rest stop and lots of music and singing throughout the ride. They arrived at their final destination and quickly dressed up for their final dinner before their departures tomorrow.

For the final dinner, students enjoyed rice, beans, chicken, and salad. Then, they finished off their meal with delicious ice cream for dessert. The students then made their way to a special room for the appreciation circle where a few students at a time went around the room and tapped people who they believed the kind statements applied to. Some of our talented students then finished the night by treating us with their guitar and singing skills.

Your last Leaders of the Day,
Stella and Maya O