Teen Summer Wilderness Adventure Camp.

Our Costa Rican community service exploration is an exciting combination of diverse adventure travel and stimulating cultural immersion in an unspoiled tropical paradise of pristine beaches, exotic wildlife, and a rainbow of colorful flowers and birds. Earn 60 hours of community service while building a rural school in a cloud forest, teaching local school children English, and restoring nesting habitat for endangered sea turtles. Experience the beauty of this peaceful country by sea kayaking a palm-laden coastline, rafting a jungle river, and soaring through the forest on a zipline.

Introduction to Spanish Language

Our introduction to Costa Rica begins with an orientation and a fun day of informal Spanish language instruction in San Jose. Here we’ll begin to adjust to “Pura Vida” and “Tico Time” in preparation for our immersion into Costa Rican culture.

Explore Arenal Volcano National Park

Next our group will journey to the Arenal Volcano National Park, where we will spend several days experiencing the beauty and power of one of the world’s most active volcanoes. After completing spectacular hikes and float trips near the base of Arenal, we’ll relax in the thermal waters of Tabacon Hot Springs. Before departing the Arenal area, we’ll enjoy soaring high above the forest canopy on one of the best ziplines in all of Costa Rica.

Village Community Service Project

We will travel to the Savegre cloud forest where we’ll settle in with the local community. After meeting with our local hosts, we will begin rolling up our sleeves to aid this small Costa Rican village. Over the next several days, our primary mission will be focused on improving and beautifying the local school and playground. There will also be opportunities to teach English to the local school children and, of course, play a few soccer games with them. Our local village also happens to be situated in one of the world’s finest tropical bird habitats, so we should see a wide variety of tropical birds such as macaws, parrots, and the elusive quetzal.

Sea Kayak the Golfo Dulce in Corcovado Natonal Park

Traveling to the southern portion of Costa Rica, we’ll sea kayak for 3 days in the pristine waters of the Golfo Dulce, along the shores of Corcovado National Park. Nothing in Costa Rica compares with this lush and wildlife-rich jungle setting, which is part of the last coastal rainforest in Central America. Along our journey, we will witness amazing waterfalls, experience a tropical coastal paradise of monkeys, sloths, and scarlet macaws while sleeping on star-lit sandy beaches.

Surf the Pacific Coast

We’ll conclude our Corcovado experience with a final few fun days surfing. First we’ll learn how to paddle our boards and read the water. This area is perfect for introductory surfing as there are waves for everyone’s ability. By the end of 2 days, we’ll be standing on our boards and riding with confidence along a palm-lined coastline in this tropical paradise.

Sea Turtle Project

Next we’ll spend 4 days on the white sand beaches of the Caribbean coast, living and working at a local non-profit sea turtle preserve. During the day, we’ll explore this wildlife-rich coastal environment, helping scientists gather information to preserve turtle nesting habitat. At night, we’ll patrol the beaches, where we’ll record turtle sightings and have an opportunity to witness their amazing nocturnal egg laying. Hopefully we’ll have a chance to see many newborn hatchlings during our stay.

Whitewater Raft the Pacuare River

Our amazing adventure concludes on the nearby wild and scenic Pacuare River where we will spend our final 2 days rafting its world-class whitewater. With monkeys and colorful toucans overhead and spectacular waterfalls around many bends, we’ll plunge through Class III and IV rapids with our talented local guides. Our final day in San Jose will allow us time to shop for souvenirs and enjoy a Tico feast before we depart for home.

Earn 60 Hours of Community Service

PLEASE NOTE: Through our travel agency we offer discounted airfares from most North American cities. Students may also travel with our Trip Leaders.