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 APRIL 4
Hola from Costa Rica!
Julianne and Juanca here! We had a great first day in playa Junquillal! After a what was a long travel day for most of the group, we enjoyed a sunset beach walk, getting to know each other, and a night swim! As we are writing this the students are enjoying playing volleyball in the pool and catching insects. We can already tell this is an amazing group and are excited for the week ahead!
Hasta mañana,
Juanca and Julianne
Please note – some students had not arrived yet when the photos below were taken. We will have additional photos of the full group in future posts!
BLOG POST FOR APRIL 5
Today was our first day of the GLA Spring Break Service Adventure. We met up at 8:20 for a breakfast that consisted of traditional Costa Rican Galla pinto. Orientation was next, where we discussed expectations and the GLA Code of Conduct. After orientation, we took a short bus ride to the Callajones beach. Students hung out in the water while enjoying coconuts from a local vendor.
We then returned to home base for lunch before heading out to release baby turtles. After that, we played a quick game of mafia and ate dinner. We then did a leadership activity going over our values and priorities. We then were able to hang by the pool before lights out. Overall, today was very fun and successful, and we’re looking forward to the rest of the camp!
Gabby, Marco, and Nelson
BLOG POST FOR APRIL 6
Today we woke up and had a delicious breakfast of pancakes and some traditional Costa Rican beans and rice. After breakfast we headed to the park near the local turtle hatchery and started our first service project. We painted some tables and benches with creative designs and messages about preserving nature.
Following painting, we headed back to home base to enjoy lunch and then get ready for the beach. We took a short bus ride to Playa Negra, where we enjoyed some beautiful waves and boogie boarding under the afternoon sun. While at the beach, we enjoyed various smoothies and drinks from a local shop and played fun card games.
Heading home from the beach, we even got to see some adorable monkeys lounging in a tree! When we got back, we got ready for dance lessons and enjoyed an exciting dance class, where we engaged in a heated dance battle.
After dancing, we headed to the restaurant to have the delicious dinner of spaghetti and Alfredo. Following dinner, we played some card games and had a relaxing night.
Julia, Rocky, and Jeremiah
BLOG POST FOR APRIL 7
We started off with a late Easter egg hunt for team points. An exclusive shout out to Rocky on team Coconut Crackers for his exquisite Easter egg hunting talents. Next we took a long bus ride to the canopy (zip line) and kept spirits high with an on bus karaoke session. Everyone showed exemplary courage during zip lining especially those who had never done it before! After that, we took a quick nap on the bus ride to the beach and splashed about in the pristine Costa Rican waters.
Back at home base, we partook in a discussion about the UN Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs) and managed to share our respective opinions with candor using our newfound personal values. In our evening leaders of the day activity we partook in an exhilarating game of volleyball by the poolside, and took the opportunity to share about our ancestral lineage.
Before lights out, we shared our findings from our leader of the day challenge “remember one truly mind opening thing someone has shared about themselves in a conversation today”. Overall, from the zip lines to the Pacific Ocean waves, today we learned the true meaning of “Pura Vida”.
BLOG POST FOR APRIL 8
We started the day with a breakfast of French toast. After that, we spent time painting tables, tires, and pillars, and we also helped pick up trash around the area. Later, we played some pool games together. For lunch, we had pork and rice. We then practiced for our talent show and worked together to cook homemade empanadas. After finishing the cooking, we went to a local market at our home base. It was a busy and fun day.
Jeremiah, Savannah, and Henry
BLOG POST FOR APRIL 9
We started off the day with an optional 5am sunrise beach walk. By 7am we were on the bus, playing games all the way to the ocean front, where we were met with crystal blue waters and a dolphin sighting from the catamaran. We spent the afternoon snorkelling, swimming and singing along to our favourite songs. When we got back, we caught our final Costa Rican rays of sun with our newfound friends and took group photos.
As the sun set, we thought back on what we had learned from this trip: what fears we had faced, where our adventures had lead us, and who helped us get there. We finished off the day with one last pool party and a talent show. Before bed, we shared some of our final goodbyes and plans for our next adventures.
Esme
BLOG POST FOR APRIL 10
Juanca, Jorge, and Julianne here! We had such an amazing week! This morning was bittersweet as we said goodbye to all of the students we have had the pleasure of spending this last week with. It was a joy to see all the friendships that formed, the growth in leadership skills, and the enthusiasm of this group at all the activities and challenges throughout the week. They will truly be missed! We are wishing everyone safe travels back home, and we hope to see them again on a future GLA program.
