Costa Rica: Marine Conservation & Sea Turtle Expedition (July 3

PROGRAM PHOTO ALBUM

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

Here are a few things you can expect:

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

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

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 JULY 3

Hello from Costa Rica!

Everyone finally made it safe a sound to Costa Rica! We are currently staying at a hotel in Alajuela for the night and taking off to our first homebase tomorrow! Everyone arrived at different times today so we’ve had time to rest, do health checks/swim tests and play some fun games through out the day. Dinner tonight was rice, fresh salad with either chicken or fish and super yummy passion fruit juice! We even got some ice cream for dessert. Students were also able to get some tech time tonight before dinner.

We’re so excited for these next two weeks! There are going to be so many amazing adventures waiting for us at homebase.

Pura vida!

Brenda, Clint and Ingrid (GLA STAFF)

BLOG POST FOR JULY 4

Hey guys, it’s Ella M and Tess C from Costa Rica!

Today we started our morning with pancakes, hasbrowns, fruit and Gallo Pinto (Rice & Beans) for breakfast. After breakfast, it was time to head to our first home base. We got on the bus, and after a long drive the group stopped for a snack at a local smoothie shop. We then traveled on a ferry to a port in the Nicoya Peninsula and after another bus ride, we finally made it to Montezuma. For lunch we had rice, beans, plantains and chicken. After, we had orientation about GLA and what we will be doing these next two weeks. We got to have some tech time tonight before dinner as well! Dinner tonight was spaghetti with garlic bread. After dinner, the group split off into two mentor groups and discussed what we like about the program. Being here made us realize how different the weather can e from what we’re used to. Overall, it was a good day!

Can’t wait for the days to come!

BLOG POST FOR JULY 5

Written by Sadie and Heather

After a 7 am wake up call we hit the beach. We started off the day with service! Together we picked up 15 bags of plastic and trash. After service we had a yummy lunch together with tortilla chips, chicken, and rice. Then, we split into two groups. One group went swimming at a spot the locals suggested, and the other headed off into town for some shopping and gelato and then we switched so both groups could do both activities! We met up with some locals to play volleyball and then went back to the homebase for a well deserved shower and a dinner of fish, mashed potatoes, and vegetables. We got some tech time tonight before dinner although the WiFi wasn’t too strong today. We played some games and talked with friends and waited until the sun set. Then our beach patrol began. We watched for turtles and turtle nests until bedtime. A perfect third day at camp and we’ll see you for the fourth!!

BLOG POST FOR JULY 6

Hello families!

Today we started the day with fresh fruit and yogurt for breakfast, and then we moved to service and managed to move an unimaginably heavy log (seriously, it was so impressive) and a bunch of debris so that the sea turtles would have space to lay their eggs on the beach. We then played volleyball with the local team and strolled into town for quite possibly the best ice cream EVER. After that, we got to the best part of the day, bioluminescence boating!! The conditions were perfect, and we were able to see so much glowing algae! And now we have arrived in the present, when we have returned to home base and everyone is going to sleep weirdly early due to our exhausting day.

Signing off,
Jordan and Hendrix

BLOG POST FOR JULY 7

Hola from Miranda and Georgia!!!

Today for breakfast we had delicious banana pancakes with fresh pineapple and papaya and a side of cantaloupe juice. Some people helped out in the kitchen and helped serve food. After that we took a walk to our service site and picked up large pieces of plastic and micro plastics to lessen the chance of any animals consuming them. We worked under the sun from 9-11:30 with a beautiful view of the ocean and some fun music. Later, we made our way to home base and ate fish soup with rice for lunch. It was so good!

Around 1 we made our way to the top of a nearby waterfall and jumped down small cliffs into the water below. We climbed over rocks and under branches to go through the waterfalls and it was a fun but difficult endeavor. Then we returned back home and went in groups to town to buy some tasty snacks while other people rested. As our day came to an end, we had our tech time and played some games until dinner. Our dinner was was shrimp fried rice with a side of salad and plantain chips served with a refreshing passion fruit juice. After dinner, we had our mentor groups and did a fun group activity to promote team work and communication.

Today was so fun and we are so grateful for all the things we got to do.

Looking forward to visiting Cabo Blanco tomorrow!

PURA VIDAAAA

BLOG POST FOR JULY 8

Hello from Maxx and Sophie!

Today for breakfast we started with fresh banana and watermelon, to follow we had an omelette with ham and tomato. Our first activity of the day was a trip to National Park Cabo Blanco where we walked through the forest and learned about the wildlife of Costa Rica. We got to see some cool Howler monkeys! For lunch we had rice and beans with carne guisada and a fresh salad.

After lunch we packed for our long journey tomorrow to our next location, super exited! We went to town and stocked up on snacks! We had an amazing dinner made by Cathy and learned some new dancing skills. We had a live band and danced the night away! Going to miss this hotel and hope to come back soon!

PURA VIDA!!!!

BLOG POST FOR JULY 9

Written by Taz

Hola!!

Today we ate egg, beans and rice, with a tortilla for breakfast. Then we had to grab our baggies and get on the autobús to head to our second homebase. We drove for around an hour and then got off the bus and onto the ferry. After the ferry ride we got back on the bus and went to have lunch at this giant restaurant/souvenir shop that was right down the road from a famous bridge that goes over a bridge with crocodiles. A couple of us tried a new fruit called Rambutan! We finally made it to the second hotel which is called La Isla in Parrita. For dinner we had beef milanesa, rice and veggies with some fresh juice. We met up afterwards to go over our schedule for tomorrow and introduce ourselves to our other mentor Levi that just joined us today. We all played a fun game after that and then headed to bed. We have service again tomorrow so we need to rest up!

Pura vida!

BLOG POST FOR JULY 10

It’s Sylvia and Boy Max

We woke up bright and early so we could be at breakfast at 7 am. We saw rice, beans, and eggs like every other day but we heard breakfast might be different tomorrow, fingers crossed! Then we got straight to volunteering. We learned about erosion and planted so many baby trees. After volunteering we cooled off in the pool. At about 12 we were given an amazing meal of spaghetti and buttered bread. It was so good! A volunteer came to talk about the importance of mangroves and how planting trees is helping the community. Then we had a bit of free time to go to the pool again or chill in our rooms. After a bit we went to play kickball! Some people left during the game because some monkeys payed us a visit. There were so many of them and they were getting so close! Then we had a dinner of meat and rice with delicious rice pudding for dessert. Lastly, we ended our day we a group debate about turtles.

A pretty slay day!

Pura vida!

BLOG POST FOR JULY 11

Written by Emma Porricelli and Camille Friall

Hello parents!! Previously on Turtle Camp; 23 campers arrived in our new hotel: La Isla [read with dramatic effect].

Today started off like any other, with successful service. We went into today with the goal of collecting 200 almond tree seedlings… and surpassed our goal! After uprooting, digging, and transporting, the day of service was not yet done. Afterwards we scoured the beach and forest for coconuts to plant in order to avoid erosion.

[commercial break] (lunch)

After nourishment, the campers had some free time, filled with swimming and hammocks, before their intense challenge. Two teams, head to head, fighting for 10 extra minutes of tech time. Neck and neck until the very end, an unbroken tie resulted in both teams being victorious.

[commercial break]

The campers, now dancers, swayed and shimmied to salsa, merengue, bachata, and cumbia: traditional Latin America Dances. Hellen (the dog) appreciated the dancing and got into the middle of our dancing circle!

[commercial break]

Sadly, Matcha (the other dog (aka. Itchy)) got her tail bit and wrapped. Due to this tragedy, she was in danger of being infected and even losing her tail. Thanks to the GLA campers and staff, Matchas tail is now safe and sound.

[commercial break]

And parents if you’re still watching, write “I love turtles” in the comments. Stay tuned for the next episode of Turtle Camp!

Signing off, Emma Porricelli and Camille Friall.

BLOG POST FOR JULY 12

Written by Ryen and Tallula

Hey parents hope you are reading, let us know what you think! Today for breakfast we ate French toast and fresh fruit which was super delicious! And after we left at 7:30 am for a super fun morning zip lining and going to a butterfly garden! After we got back to home base, we had some free time to relax and play volleyball. Some kids swam or took naps in hammocks after a tiring few days. We had a filling dinner of chicken and vegetable noodles, yum! After dinner we did an activity together to learn about different leadership styles and which one we think we are most like. Can’t wait for tomorrow! See ya 🙂

BLOG POST FOR JULY 13

Written by Jade and Avarie

After a scrumptious pancake filled breakfast, the campers headed to their second national park, Manuel Antonio. The campers spotted a variety of local wildlife, including sloths, rainbow crickets, monkeys, crabs, and more! They also had a chance to swim in rolling waves at the beautiful Manuel Antonio beach. After a short shopping session at some cute local stores, they came back to the hotel and had a delicious mac n cheese lunch.

Following some free time, the campers had an interactive cooking lesson, making tortillas from scratch, some yummy taquitos, and even some freshly brewed coffee.

The campers finished up the night with some grilled fish for dinner and a bonding activity. The campers wrote positive and affirmative words about one another.

Say your kids name in the chat if you love them! 😉

Pura vida!

BLOG POST FOR JULY 14

Written by Abby, Emma B, and Max M

The day started out early with oceanside yoga followed by a breakfast of eggs, toast, and peach parfaits. Then we had service from 8-11:30 where we picked grass and replanted it to protect the shoreline from erosion. Afterwards we had chicken and fried rice for lunch. From 12-2 we had some pool/relaxation time. Then, from 2-5 we competed in beach Olympics, where two teams went head to head through fun activities such as coconut bowling and bucket racing. It ended with a sand castle built by the whole group. After tech time and chow circle we had a dinner of burrito bowls with chips and ice cream. The bonfire closed out our last night in Parrita before we all turned our lights off at 9:30.

Pura vida & see you soon!

BLOG POST FOR JULY 15

Written by Camille

Alas, turtle camp comes comes to a close. The day began like any other, with service. After ridding the beach of trash and collecting plants along the shore, the campers prepared for their final day of travel.

Coming full circle, we returned to Robledal where it all began. In a bittersweet goodbye, the campers reminisced on fond memories made together as they celebrated Max’s birthday.

This experience was truly one for the books, as all their campers carry this experience in the minds and their hearts as the charge into the future.