FIRE INTO WATER: AN ECO-SERVICE ADVENTURE - High School Summer Programs (800) 321-4353

AN ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGE
On the heels of our 25th anniversary commitment to global conservation, Rustic Pathways is proud to introduce Fire into Water: An Eco Service Adventure. This one-of-a-kind program is the perfect opportunity to put your passion for environmental issues into action. Costa Rica is one of the most naturally diverse countries on the planet but, tragically, has one of the highest rates of illegal wildlife trafficking in the world. Despite efforts by the government and environmental organizations to save these native animals, 50 percent of them never return to their homes because not enough rescue centers exist to successfully rehabilitate and reintroduce them into the wild. You will become part of an incredible effort to build a wildlife rescue center at Arenal Volcano National Park, home of one of the most diverse rainforests in Costa Rica.

THE SUSTAINABLE LIFESTYLE
Your eco-service base will be an organic farm and ranch tucked into a stunning green valley on the shores of Lake Arenal. Clear mountain streams flow through the farmlands, and Arenal Volcano towers in the distance. The bright lava cascading down the active volcano and the fresh waters of the lake and rivers running through your backyard will be constant reminders of the precious natural landscapes and wildlife you are working to protect. After a hard day’s work at the rescue center, you’ll return to the lodge for a delicious meal prepared with homegrown organic vegetables. Then relax in the farm’s natural pools, work in the medicinal garden, check out the bio-digesters that help make the lodge energy independent, or help out in the dairy processing building. During your free time, swim in a nearby river or sail through the windy waters of Lake Arenal in a kayak. You may even take a relaxation and meditation course at the base’s yoga center. At night, throw your windows open to the brightly shining stars and clear night sky and wake up refreshed and ready to embark on another day of service and adventure.

ADVENTURE FROM THE MOUNTAINS TO THE LAKE
You will also experience Costa Rica’s incredible ecological diversity through several adventures in this natural playground. Horseback ride through the forests and mountain ranges that surround the farm and search for the brightly colored quetzal. The more daring adventurers can embark on optional activities including a rappelling trip down waterfalls into cool mountain springs and a zip lining tour that will take you high above the jungle canopy.

WHO SHOULD COME
This program is designed for students who are passionate about wildlife conservation and environmental issues. You’ll live under the shadow of an active volcano at a completely self-sustainable eco-base and spend your days helping to protect this ecologically diverse landscape. You’ll earn 25 service hours for your rewarding work helping to preserve monkeys, jaguars, parrots, macaws and many other amazing native species.

Questions? E-mail costarica@rusticpathways.com

FIRE INTO WATER: AN ECOSERVICE ADVENTURE

Day 1 – Tuesday
Depart the United States for San Jose, Costa Rica. All scheduled flights to Costa Rica are non-stop and escorted by a Rustic Pathways Flight Leader. Upon arrival at the San Jose airport you will be greeted by your Rustic Pathways Staff. From here you will head over to the Rustic Pathways base camp where you will meet other students from your program and enjoy your first night in beautiful Costa Rica!

Day 2 – Wednesday
After an early morning breakfast, depart with your group on a 4 hour drive to the Rancho Margot, your eco-service base for the next week. Enjoy a delicious lunch prepared with organic fruits and vegetables, and receive a tour of this incredible sustainable ranch and farm. Then, get ready for an amazing kayak adventure on the Arenal Lake. Check out the famous “iguana island” and admire the incredible view of the volcano as you paddle through clear waters. In the evening, relax at the base and get to know the rest of your group through fun teambuilding games and activities.

Day 3 – Thursday
After a fresh organic breakfast get ready for your first day of service at the Wildlife Rescue Center. After a long, hard day of work, enjoy the natural hot springs in the evening and check out the lava flow down the side of the majestic Arenal Volcano.

Day 4 -5, Friday and Saturday
For the next two days, work on the project at the Wildlife Rescue Center during the day. In the afternoon, you might travel to La Fortuna for some souvenir shopping, go on an optional zipline tour, take a yoga class at the base or go on a hike through the primary forest surrounding the Rancho Margot. In the evening, share stories of your adventurous days and enjoy the peace and quiet of your eco-base.

Day 6 – Sunday
After breakfast get ready to hike through the rainforest for a rappelling adventure down amazing waterfalls. Then spend the rest of the afternoon jumping in the refreshing pools at the base of the waterfalls before hiking back to the eco-base. Afterwards, join in on an informal soccer game with the locals, take a wood carving class with the Rancho Margot carpenter or relax in the hammocks while enjoying a good book.

Day 7 – Monday
Spend the morning wrapping up the project at the Wildlife Rescue Center. After a hearty lunch, embark on an amazing 2 hour horseback riding trip through cloud forests to a viewpoint overlooking Lake Arenal and the volcano. Return to the base for a relaxing yoga class or swim in the natural pools near the ranch.

Day 8 – Tuesday
After breakfast, spend your last morning on the farm learning about the sustainable initiatives of the Rancho Margo including organic farming, bio-digester energy and bio-fuel production. Then after lunch, it’s time to say goodbye to your friends at the Rancho Margot and head back to San Jose for your last night in Costa Rica.

Day 9 – Wednesday
Transfer to your next Costa Rica Adventure or say good bye to the land of “Pura Vida” and fly back home.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS-Latin America
FIRE INTO WATER: AN ECO SERVICE ADVENTURE

1 - How long is the flight to this country?
1A – Direct flight from Newark to San Jose takes approximately 5.5 hours.
Direct flight from Houston to San Jose takes approximately 3.5 to 4 hours.

2 - Will there be a flight leader to this country?
2A – Yes. All flights between Costa Rica and the USA will have a flight leader starting in both Newark and Houston. Return flights to the USA will also have a flight leader as far as Newark and Houston. Flights between Costa Rica, Panama and Nicaragua are also escorted by a Rustic Pathways guide. Flights from Costa Rica to Peru and Mexico will not be escorted.

3 - Do we need to get visas for this program?
3A – Students from the United States and Canada will be automatically issued a 90 day tourist visa upon entry into Costa Rica.

4 – What Costa Rican province(s) does this program pass through?
4A- During the Eco Service program students will briefly pass through the provinces of Alajuela and Heredia, during their travel to the Arenal National Park where the Rancho is located. They will spend the majority of their time in the Alajuela province.

5 - What immunizations do we need to get for this trip?
5A – Rustic Pathways does not make recommendations regarding immunizations. We strongly suggest that you consult with a travel doctor or your family physician for medical recommendations based on the area where the student will be traveling (as listed above). You can also check the Center for Disease Control website at www.cdc.gov for more information. Yellow fever vaccinations may be required to enter Costa Rica if you have traveled to some international destinations including Peru prior to your trip to Costa Rica. Please check the Center for Disease control website for more information.

6 - How does this program connect to other programs?
6A – On Tuesday afternoon students will depart from the Eco Service base. They will stay that night in Heredia at our base hotel. Wednesday morning students will meet with their new group and guides at the same hotel where they stayed and head off to their new program.

7 – How long is the drive from San Jose to this program?
7A—The drive from San Jose to the Eco Service Rancho base is approximately 4 hours depending on weather and other driving conditions.

8 – What is the climate in the region where this program takes place?
8A—The Eco Service program takes place in the rainforest by the mountains, a very green, humid, and “wet” area in the country. Students should be prepared for hot, humid weather in the 80s and 90s during the day, and the daily afternoon rain shower.

9 - Is this a good program for students interested in practicing their Spanish?
9A—The Eco Service Program does not include formal Spanish language instruction; however students will have multiple opportunities to practice Spanish with people that will be working with them at the rescue center and the organic farm. All the staff working at the Rancho Margot are Costa Ricans and very few of them speak English. The Rustic Pathways staff will be all be English speakers.

10- What service projects will I work on and how are the projects identified?
10A- Rustic Pathways works with local community leaders and the National Park Service
of Costa Rica (MINAE), to identify and prioritize specific environmental needs. Rustic Pathways, the Rancho Margot and the MINAE are planning a long term project. Students will be building the first wildlife rescue center for the northern region of Costa Rica. During the summer of 2009 Rustic Pathways students will be building an aviary space for the rehabilitation of the green macaws. They will also be planting 500 almond trees (which are vital source of food for the macaws. In addition, students will be working with the animals that are in the “provisional cages” (monkeys, parrots, dears, birds), and will be part of the planning of future buildings in the center. Students will also do farm work at the organic garden and the dairy farm at the Rancho Margot, which will provide them with an excellent opportunity to learn about medicinal plants, vegetables and organic and sustainable farming.

11 – How physically strenuous is this program?
11A- The Eco Service project is appropriate for most physical activity levels. Students should be prepared for moderate physical activity including lifting heavy materials, shoveling, digging, wood work, and other manual labor during the service projects.

12- What costs are not included on this trip?
12A- The majority of costs associated with the program are included on this trip. The kayak trip in Lake Arenal and the horseback riding trip are both included in program costs. Students should have extra allowance money if they wish to buy snacks and soda or to shop for souvenirs such as artwork and handicrafts from local artisans. Optional activities that come at an additional cost are described below.

13 – What are the optional activities available at an additional cost on this program?
13A-Optional activities are:

Hotsprings: $30
Ziplining: $60
Rappelling: $55

Please note that these optional activities are subject to change. Occasionally Rustic Pathways staff identify new opportunities throughout the summer that we feel will enhance the students overall experience and we will offer them to students who wish to participate at an additional cost. Optional activities may also be canceled at the staff’s discretion.

14 - What kind of food will we be eating? Where?
14A—Meals at the Rancho are buffet style and students will be eating a good variety of fresh food. Breakfast may include fresh fruits, cereal, homemade bread, eggs and traditional Costa Rican “gallo pinto” (a mix of rice and beans). Lunch and dinner will vary from chicken (different styles), rice, potatoes, plantains, salads (all organic), juicy steaks, fish or seafood dishes. All meals come with fresh made fruit juice and “unlimited seconds”.

15 - Can we cater to specific diets?
15A-Rustic Pathways can cater to most dietary needs on this program. There will be access to fruits, vegetables, rice, beans, and vegetarian choices in the buffets. Vegan diets can be accommodated. Please know that while we are happy to accommodate alternative diets, many of the special diets common in the United States are not common in other parts of the world and travelers must be patient and understanding in having these needs be met. Please contact costarica@rusticpathways.com with any questions regarding special diets or allergies.

16 - Will the kids be drinking bottled water?
16A—Unlimited bottles of water will be provided at no additional cost at the Rancho store NO cost in the Rancho store for our Rustic Pathways students, however in Costa Rica water is generally potable, so students should feel comfortable drinking tap water unless otherwise advised.

17 - What will the accommodations on this trip be like?
17A—During their time at the Eco Service program, students will stay at a beautiful bunkhouse at the Rancho located within walking distance of the rest of facilities. Two students will be sharing a room. Boys and girls will sleep in different rooms and guides will be sleeping in separate rooms close to the students’ quarters.

18. What are the bathroom facilities?
18A- The bathroom facilities are located in the Bunkhouse building, there are 5 showers and 5 bathrooms, all with running water and American style toilets and showers. Hot water is available.

19 - How many girls and boys are usually on this trip?
19A – We expect a good mix between genders, however the exact numbers vary from week to week.

20- What is the ratio of guides to students?
20A- Rustic Pathways generally strives to maintain a ratio of approximately 1 guide for every 5 students. There will be 3 guides on this program. Our guides go through a rigorous selection process including interviews with our program managers and a full background check.

21-Is your staff qualified in First Aid?
21A- Because safety is our number one priority, all of our programs have staff that is certified with First Aid and CPR training. Many of our guides are also qualified Wilderness First Responders, EMTs, Wilderness EMTs, or Life Guards.

22 - How often (if at all) will students be able to do laundry on this program and what will it cost?
22A—Students should pack reasonably for this program. Laundry will be available at the Rancho at a cost of $6 per kilo.

23 - How often will they have access to phone and internet?
23A-Students will have scheduled access to internet at the rancho. There is WIFI service in the Rancho, but computer access and time will be restricted during certain hours. Phones are not available at the Rancho, but students will be able to call home during their visit to the town of La Fortuna. They will be able to purchase international phone cards in Costa Rica from the guides or at local convenience stores which they can use to call home from the public phones in town.