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
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BLOG POST FOR JULY 12
¡Buenas Noches desde San José!
We’re thrilled to share that 20 of our 23 students have safely arrived in San José, with three final students (Hinnah, Rowan, and Nathaniel) scheduled to arrive around midnight! After a long day of travel, everyone is settling in, a little tired but full of excitement for the week ahead. We also had a special reason to celebrate today: it’s Deven’s birthday, and we surprised him with balloons and a local cake to mark the occasion!
Tomorrow kicks off with orientation, where we’ll dive into the details of our upcoming projects and begin forming connections as a group. We’ll also start planning for our summer camp activities and school beautification service work, and students will meet with their mentor groups for the first time—a space for reflection, connection, and support throughout the week.
This week is packed with meaningful community service, immersive cultural experiences, and of course, a few adventures along the way!
We’ll be posting regular blog updates so you can follow along and see what we’re up to.
Pura Vida!
—The GLA Team (Olmán, Rudy, Kelly, & Olivia)
BLOG POST FOR JULY 13
Our GLA Middle School Service Adventure program was off to the races today! We had an action-packed day at home base and prepared for our first day of service at our program’s site, a local school, tomorrow! Our leaders of the day, Vianne, Deven, and Ally help explore more of what we did below!
The second day of the program we started off by having breakfast. Shortly after that we started to plan our community service for tomorrow by splitting into four groups. Each group planned different murals for different sections of the school. Each group also made posters for the school and then we presented them!! – Vianne
Today during our free time, we were able to learn more about our peers on the trip. For example, we were able to play soccer and football, which were super good activities to help bring people closer. Being with everybody for 10 days it is important that we talk with our peers. Another activity that we did was we all gathered around at a table and were able to talk about where we live, and what we do in our daily lives. In doing this we were able to learn each other’s personalities and were able to identify our similarities and differences. – Deven
We went on a trip to the market! We took the bus there and all got a bunch of food from the store. This trip was nice because we got to see Costa Rica through the bus windows and got to buy things from the store. Some food is pizza, cupcakes, fruit, donuts and much more! This was a great part of our day! – Ally
We finished our day by dividing the students into two mentor groups, where they will meet nightly and discuss program topics more in-depth. We’re so excited to start service and dive farther into the program tomorrow!
Pura vida,
The GLA Team (Olmán, Rudy, Kelly, Olivia, and students!)
BLOG POST FOR JULY 14
¡Buenas noches!
Today marked our first day of service at the local school! We’re hosting a summer camp to keep students engaged and inspired during their vacation, while also contributing to school beautification efforts. Since local funding doesn’t always cover these improvements, our group will be painting murals and refreshing areas around the school to create a brighter, more welcoming environment for the children and community. Here are some words from one of our leaders of the day:
An activity we did today was providing service to a local school by repainting murals on campus and playing with the students. This was definitely the highlight of my day as we were able to paint more visuals onto the walls for the children and have fun with the kids. Even though there was definitely a language barrier, we didn’t let it stop us from having fun and learning more about each others cultures.
– Hinnah
We’re excited to see the transformation unfold and look forward to sharing the final results with you soon!
In the afternoon, students visited a local property where they enjoyed a crash course in Spanish, learned traditional dances, and cooled off with a swim in the pool. Tomorrow is our first adventure day as we’ll be off to La Fortuna for a chocolate tour and then an afternoon at Baldi Hot Springs.
– The GLA team
BLOG POST FOR JULY 15
Hola!
Today was our first full adventure day! We explored two very different but equally fun sides of Costa Rica. We started the day with a chocolate tour – learning how cacao is grown, harvested, and turned into chocolate. We even got to try some along the way! In the afternoon, we visited Baldi Hot Springs, where we relaxed in the natural thermal pools and had fun on the water slides. It was a great way to unwind and enjoy a day of adventure and connection. Here is a recap of the chocolate tour from one of our leaders of the day:
We took a long bus trip to a small cocoa bean farm. It wasn’t in the typical spot for a farm because you want to be as close to the equator as possible. But the purpose for the farm was mainly educational and fun. We tried different stages of chocolate, like the bean after roasting or the paste of grinded beans. Exploring the farm and seeing lots of cocoa beans and birds was also cool. Overall we learned a lot and enjoyed our time learning about the history and origins of chocolate and cacao. – Zane
Our leaders of the day had a few more reflections from yesterday’s experiences as well that they wanted to share…
Yesterday we had fun learning some basic phrases in Spanish, followed by a dance lesson where we learned to do the tango, bachata, and salsa. After we finished the classes, we got to enjoy the pool there and spend time in it until we had to head back. Overall, this was a very fun experience that was filled with learning and helped us get to know each other better.
-Arman
I enjoyed my day yesterday. I am very happy with the Spanish lesson. One phrase I learned from the class was “Como Estas”. Which means “How are you?”. I feel like this phrase is very interesting and useful. I am looking forward to learning more Spanish in the future.
-Miles
We’re looking forward to continuing our service work at the school tomorrow, followed by another adventure day on Thursday!
– The GLA Team
BLOG POST FOR JULY 16
Today was a full and rewarding day of service at the school. We continued our beautification projects—painting murals, benches, stairways, and railings throughout the campus. The space is really starting to come to life with color and care.
In between projects, we spent time playing with the local students and wrapped up our afternoon with a pizza party to celebrate our summer camp together. It was a joyful way to connect and reflect on the fun we’ve shared over the past week.
Friday will be our final day of service, when we’ll focus on finishing touches and leaving things better than we found them.
We ended the evening with a large group activity followed by some free time to relax and connect as we begin to prepare for the close of our time together. Time flies! Tomorrow is another adventure day… stay tuned for pictures from the beach!
– The GLA Team
BLOG POST FOR JULY 17
Today was such an adventure!! We left home base in the morning and hiked about 30 minutes through the rainforest to get to the beach. The trail was super green and beautiful, but also definitely a little tough. It was hot and humid, but everyone stayed strong and kept encouraging each other through it.
Once we made it to the beach, it was so worth it. The ocean looked amazing and the whole place just felt peaceful and dreamy. Some of us swam, others chilled under the trees, and we all just enjoyed being there. It honestly felt like the perfect little escape.
We had lunch by the beach, and after all that hiking, it tasted so good! Everyone was kinda tired from the sun and the walk, so we had some time to just relax and vibe. It felt like the group really connected in a calm, easy way today.
Since we were all super tired by the time we got back, we didn’t do a full reflection circle—but I know everyone felt proud of what we did today. You could tell by all the smiles and quiet little moments where people just looked happy to be here.
Even though it was exhausting, today felt special. Like we all got closer without even trying. I’m really proud of everyone for showing up, supporting each other, and being present in the moment.
Leader of the Day Genevieve
BLOG POST FOR JULY 18
Today was our final day of service at the local school! We completed the last touches on the murals and wrapped up painting projects around the campus. Saying goodbye to the students we worked with during summer camp was bittersweet, and we celebrated the week’s efforts and connections with a stop for ice cream on the way out.
In the afternoon, we headed into Alajuela for a deeper dive into Costa Rican culture. We visited a local tortillería to learn about traditional food preparation and enjoyed fresh empanadas. Afterward, we explored a nearby market, where students had the chance to try local fruits and pick up a few souvenirs.
In the evening, we held a large group debate focused on the impact of tourism in Costa Rica. Students did an impressive job articulating their points and gained new insight into how travel affects communities, economies, and the environment.
Tomorrow, we head out for our final adventure day—stay tuned!
-The GLA Team
BLOG POST FOR JULY 19
Today we made the trip to Jacó for our last full adventure day in Costa Rica! We spent the morning ziplining through the treetops, taking on a high ropes course, and exploring a butterfly garden. It was a fun, active day full of challenge and discovery.
After dinner, we gathered for our final mentor group session to reflect on our time together and talk about the goals we want to carry with us when we return home.
Tomorrow is our last full day in Costa Rica. While we’re sad to see this experience coming to an end, we’re grateful for all the memories and new friendships made!
-The GLA Team
BLOG POST FOR JULY 20
Today was our last full day in Costa Rica, and we made the most of it! In the morning, we traveled just over an hour to La Paz Waterfall Gardens Nature Park, where we explored the beautiful trails and wildlife sanctuary. We walked through a butterfly garden and hummingbird garden, and saw sloths, snakes, a jaguar, and many other animals before hiking down to see the stunning waterfall. It was a unique and memorable place to explore on our final day.
In the evening, we shared our last dinner together at home base. Afterward, we gathered for an appreciation circle, where everyone had the chance to share kind words and reflect on the connections we’ve built. It was a bittersweet evening filled with laughter and gratitude as we wrapped up this adventure-filled journey together.
Tomorrow we say goodbye to Costa Rica, but the memories and friendships we’ve made will stay with us for a long time!
Hasta Luego!
