PROGRAM PHOTO ALBUM
Thanks for the checking out the blog for this Global Leadership Adventures program!
Here are a few things to know and expect:
- 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.
- 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.
- Blog updates received late in the evening or overnight will be posted the following day.
- Blog updates received on weekends may not be posted until Monday.
- 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 17
Pura Vida!
Hello family and friends! We started our first day of service today!
GEA: We went to the forest and picked up trash, while learning about the native flora of Costa Rica and also about the way that trash gets to certain locations. We finished the day by playing soccer with Frank, the leader of the service.
UC: We painted signs to raise awareness for people to pick up and recycle their trash on the beach, and later picked up trash in the local playground.
Verde Azul: We picked up microplastics on the beach, learned about marine life and turtles with Valerie, the service leader, and shoveled and carried sand to extend the hatchery’s platform.
Later, we went to the pool and everyone played volleyball. In the afternoon, we had a debate on eco tourism and the development of a new resort in the area, and how that might affect the local environment.
At night, we were initiated into our tribes, where we invented cheers and painted banners!
By Leaders of the day: Stella, Nadia, Jose, Austen, Finn
BLOG POST FOR JULY 18
Today we started our second day of service. The GEA Group started by cleaning the beaches and picking up small plastics in the sand. We saw a turtle swimming in the ocean and took a small hike to the top of a cliff. The VerdiAzul built a barrier made from sand to protect the turtle hatchery, as well as sowing baskets that keep the turtle nests shaded. The Uniendo Comunidades group painted trees around the community.
After lunch we had some time at the pool to relax and began our beach Olympic Games. We played some fun and competitive games within our tribes which were decided the previous night. Lastly we ended our day with mentor groups and getting to know each other better. We hope that tomorrow is just as rewarding and fun as today.
By Evan, Hayden, Angie, Matthew, and Grant
BLOG POST FOR JULY 19
Today was so far one of the best, we started our volunteering for four hours in the morning helping us to create memories for a lifetime as well as helping out the community. After a delicious chilly con carne we headed out on the bus where we drove 45 minutes to go to an eco-friendly farm at the farm we fed the goats.
We drank the goat milk and we even got to try goat cheese. We got to see a wide range of animals such as pigs goats and of course the family’s two dogs. Now getting an early night sleep for an early start tomorrow as we head off on our first adventure day!
By Helly, Lucus, Jaya, Annika, Ava
BLOG POST FOR JULY 20
We woke up very early and we took a 2 hour bus ride to the tubing and zip-lining place. Then we went tubing on a class 2 rapid. Afterwards we went zip-lining on 9 courses over rivers and caves. Then we had some traditional Costa Rican lunch.
We returned home to base camp and took a short break between arrival and chow circle. After the break the group headed down to the beach near camp where we conducted chow circle. The group went around discussing their shoutouts highlights and takeaways. We watched the sunset once it concluded. After we returned we all went and ate dinner.
Proceeding dinner Jorge gave announcements about the logistics of the following day where we broke into mentor groups once it finished.
BLOG POST FOR JULY 21
In the UC service today we painted a mural of a tree and painted tires as well as the inside of a wall. In GEA we went to the beach to put up our painted signs that raised awareness of high tides and litter. In VA we helped out through a summer camp and played games with elementary school kids as well as swam in the waves with them. After service we took a bus to a community where we played rally games, soccer and did a cooking class. To finish off the night we had chow circle and mentor groups to finish the day.
By Honor, Shaila, Noah, Sierra, Brianna
