Young Explorers: Costa Rica
Why Should High School Students Have All the Fun?
An exciting combination of community service, language
immersion, and action-packed adventure, the Young Explorers
program is the perfect introduction to international travel
for 12-14 year olds. You’ll learn Spanish, work on worthwhile
community service initiatives, zip line through the rainforest
canopy, raft down a tropical river, view an active volcano, play
sports with energetic Costa Rican children, hike through the
jungle, play beach volleyball and soccer, learn to surf, and much
more. As you journey through these new and exciting lands,
you’ll make bonds with your fellow students that only the
transformative experience of travel can create.
Volcanoes, Toucans, and Tropical Waterfalls
The adventure begins at the Poas Volcano and the La Paz
Waterfall Gardens just north of San Jose. Peer into the heart of
this active volcano’s mile-wide crater and witness a dramatic
landscape of sulfur lakes and ancient lava flows. Then head for
the La Paz Waterfall Gardens, where you’ll stroll through swarms
of butterflies and scores of hummingbirds amidst a lush
landscape of waterfalls and jungle. You will then head to the
greater-Fortuna region where you will be based for the rest of
the week. Here, amidst friendly communities and tropical
landscapes, you’ll adjust to life in a foreign culture.
Situated at the foot of Arenal Volcano, the town of La Fortuna is
a hub for high adventure. It offers diverse rainforest hikes,
kayaking on Lake Arenal, exhilarating zip lining, soothing hot
springs, and an abundance of wildlife. After the first few days of
fun, your group will head over to the Caño Negro Wildlife
Refuge for a visit filled with adventure and service. You will also
have the chance to visit a Maleku indigenous village where you
will learn about the medicinal uses of rainforest plants,
participate in a traditional ceremony, and play soccer with local
children. You’ll have an action-packed week, and each new
adventure will be suited to students your age.
Learning and Giving to the Community
During your time in the Fortuna region, your days will be filled
with a mix of adventure and cultural activities, which will include
practicing Spanish and working on small-scale construction
projects in the nearby villages, schools and parks. As you
immerse yourself in the local communities, you will practice
more Spanish every day. Through games and art classes you will
interact with elementary school students who are excited to
learn and practice their English. (Work at the school is subject to
school vacations and closings.)
Whitewater Rafting and Guanacaste Beaches
After a week of enjoying the relaxed, Costa Rican pace of life
near Arenal Volcano, you’ll head to the scenic Toro River for an
exciting whitewater rafting adventure. This river is full of safe but
exciting rapids and is surrounded by lush tropical forest. When
you come off the river, you’ll head west to Carrillo, a coastal
region home to plenty of sun, tropical beaches, and the sabanero
(cowboy) culture. Spend this last leg of the program on a short
service trip to a local community, and then top off the journey
with souvenir shopping, surf lessons, soccer on the beautiful
sandy beaches of the Pacific Coast, and a few optional adventure
activities such as horseback riding, snorkeling and sea kayaking.
**These optional activities come at an additional cost.
Homeward Bound
The last blissful days on the beach will be the perfect time to
reflect on the highlights of this amazing learning experience and
reminisce with fellow travelers about all the unforgettable
adventures you’ve shared together.
For more information please contact costarica@rusticpathways.com.
