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.
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 APRIL 8
Hola family and friends!
It was an exciting arrival day today for our ten Spring Break Service Adventure students. Once everyone got settled into their rooms, we played some games to get to know each other and then had some fun in the pool.
After a beautiful sunset, we enjoyed a delicious Costa Rican dinner of casado de pollo, which is a typical plate of rice, beans, salad and grilled chicken. We ended the night creating roommate agreements, getting to know a bit more about our program schedule, what everyone’s looking forward to, and some of our first impressions of Costa Rica. ๐จ๐ท๐ด
During free time before bed, Sarah, Riya, Echo, and Claire played cards and impressed us with their singing skills practicing the cup song. ๐ถ The boys got into a competitive game of pickle ball. Jadon and Owen showed their serving skills and teamed up against Liam and Tyler. It was a close game for Adam and Achih. They really wore our Local Director, Juanca, out! ๐คฃ ๐
Everyone is really looking forward to Orientation Day and beach time tomorrow. Stay tuned for more daily updates coming soon from our Leaders of the Day!
Pura Vida,
GLA Staff Team โ Heather & Juanca
BLOG POST FOR APRIL 9
Today we woke up to a marvelous day at 7:30 and strolled to the amazing restaurant to have a scrumptious breakfast that included eggs, assorted fruit, and gallo pinto. After breakfast, we started our fulfilling day with orientation from our fantastic GLA staff hosts Heather and Juanca.
Once orientation was concluded, we finished health checks, and had some pool time before lunch. In the afternoon, we visited the beautiful beach Playa Negra. After we had fun in the sun, we unleashed our groovy dance moves to the amazing tunes of the cultural music. ๐๐ผ๐บ๐ฝ
After we finished dancing salsa, we filled our stomachs with delectable pasta and salad for dinner. We went over the schedule for tomorrow and reflected on our highlights, takeaways, and shoutouts for the group. We are really looking forward to our service projects tomorrow at the Guanacaste Water Center. ๐ฑ
Pura Vida,
Leaders of the Day – Adam & Riya
BLOG POST FOR APRIL 10
Our day began with yet another delicious handmade meal courtesy of the world class chefs at the tides resort. Then our amazing and courageous team leaders, led us to our bus on which our world class wheelman Orlando took to us to begin our community service.
After some brief introductions, we learned that we had been tasked with the transportation of the dried manure produced by the majestic Bos Taurus (cows) ๐ฎ to whom we also provided sustenance . With shovels, hoes, and rakes we assisted the farmers in the production of organic fertilizer. From there we returned to the Guanacaste Water Center ๐ฑgarden and unloaded the manure, as well as fiddling various different rewarding activities related to composting. We also sorted some seeds that previous GLA groups collected to prepare them for planting.
After a brief stop at the supermarket, during which we savored some of the local snacks and cuisine, we returned to our home base to chill and clean off the dirt, cotton, grass, bug spray, chlorine, cow dust, thorn scratches, and all three layers of bug spray. ๐งผ๐ฟSome people played games in the pool before sunset. ๐
Finally after one more scrumptious meal, we were bestowed with a tour of Costa Rican culture by our expert Local Director Juanca.๐จ๐ท๐
Hasta maรฑana,
Jadon & Claire (Leaders of the Day)
BLOG POST FOR APRIL 11
Hola families! ๐ค๐ฝ Sarah here giving you the long awaited summary of our day. This morning we woke up at the early hour of six (while the boys ignored their alarm and had to be waken up 8 minutes before we needed to depart ๐) and headed to the beautiful Potrero Bay. We boarded the catamaran ๐ฅ๏ธ, and smoothly headed towards our snorkeling spot. The conditions were clear and we were able to spot multiple puffer fish, starfish, an eel and even an octopus ๐ ! After, we swam back to the boat for a delicious Costa Rican lunch of burritos, pico de gallo, chips, as well as pasta salad and chocolate chip cookies ๐ช . Heather & Juanca warned us before we went to tan, and even though we applied sunscreen more than half of us ended the afternoon a bit toasty ๐ฆ. We were happily surprised on the way back when we spotted a group of dolphins! ๐ฌ
We got back to home base around 2. We went to the beach right across the street and learned about the sea turtles in Costa Rica! We practiced digging out the eggs, and even witnessed a baby turtle ๐ข wake up and crawl to the ocean for the first time! After that, while the girls showered and chilled in the ACed rooms, the boys played in the pool ๐. After some downtime, we saw a stunning sunset ๐ and finished the day with tasty taco dinner. For leadership activities tonight, we learned about pineapple industry challenges in Costa Rica and how we can be more responsible consumers. ๐
Weโre looking forward to our last day of service tomorrow at the Guanacaste Water Center, and our cooking class in the afternoon.
Pura Vida ๐ฑ๐
Sarah & Owen – Leaders of the Day
BLOG POST FOR APRIL 13
Hi families! Achih here, the last leader of the day (along with Liam). Almost everyone has boarded their flights home by now. In the last couple days here, we finished up our service projects! The compost is done, we’ve finally sorted the seeds, and we made some new planters. On the second to last day, we just relaxed by the beach, caught some waves, and had some delicious meals at Lolaโs, a beachside restaurant. After we dried off and returned to the hotel, we set a new goal for ourselves: making awareness a habit. Thanks to everyone who made this program possible, and a very special thanks to all the staff who made this trip great! I hope all of you get your kids back. -Achih