Learning Spanish through true cultural immersion is the goal of our Teen Service and Turtle Rescue Camp. Costa Rica is blessed to have a stable economy and government as well as a healthy and happy populous. It is one of the most biodiverse, ecologically friendly places on earth. Still, there are plenty of opportunities for volunteers to make a difference, save endangered species and help isolated communities become more self-sufficient. These are the goals of our camp!

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Day 1 –

WELCOME! Students are met upon arrival at the San Jose Airport (SJO). Flights must arrive no later than 3pm. Students are met as they arrive by our camps counselors and transported directly to their host families in Turrialba. There will be water and snacks for the ride and all students will be able to call home after they have arrived to their new families. There is an after dinner Orientation at the camp director’s house.

Day 2 –

White Water River Rafting! The Rio Pacuare is the most beautiful and famous river in Costa Rica. It is a challenging and adrenaline filled adventure tour through untouched primary forests and high mountain valleys. Breakfast is with the host families, and then private transport to the put in point about an hour away. All guides, instructions, safety equipment and lunch are included. We will return to Turrialba by 4pm.

Day 3 to Day 6 –

Day 7 and 8 –

Pacuare Nature Reserve is a 2500-acre wildlife sanctuary on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica. Their four-mile-long private and protected beach is a nesting site for many different types of sea turtles, notably the Giant Leatherbacks. In the morning students will do trail repair and maintenance. These forests are teaming with wildlife including three different types of Monkeys. After lunch there will be a boat tour of the canals and a visit to the turtle egg incubation center. After dinner at the camp dining hall, students will go out for a night turtle nesting tour. Here they will see turtles come up to the beach, create their nests and lay their eggs.

Saturday, students will take a hike through the rainforest to the northern reserve station. They will be guided throughout by a licensed naturalist who will point out the multitude of wildlife native to the tropical rainforest. They will have lunch and continue maintenance and repair of trails and facilities. In the late afternoon they will return to the camp compound by boat. After dinner the students again head out to the beach to help protect the nesting sea turtles.

Day 8 –

After breakfast there will be some free time followed by an ecological seminar on the ways that can continue to make a difference and save sea turtles after their return home. There will be a final lunch and goodbyes before heading back to Turrialba. We will return by 5pm and all students will be taken to their host houses. They will have dinner and a free night with their families.

Day 9 to Day 12 –

Day 13 –

The day will start bright and early with breakfast at the host families. The morning will be filled with different community projects designated by the community. Lunch will be communal with locally grown food and drinks. In the afternoon we will continue our service work along with a visit to a neighboring village. There will be free time in the afternoon and followed by a community fiesta with dinner, music, dancing and storytelling.

Day 14 –

After breakfast students will be transferred back to San Jose for their flights home. We have a student guesthouse near the airport where students will be able to hang out and stay while waiting for their flights. There will be internet access as well as food as needed. All students will be taken to the airport by a counselor and checked into their flights. Return flights will need to be scheduled to depart either late morning or in the afternoon.

Additional Information –

Students are asked to fly into and out of San Jose Airport (SJO). Airport pick up is included in the camp price. A Friday pick-up option is available for an additional fee of $155. If you plan to travel with your teen before the camp, please let us know your arrangements. We will happily try to accommodate your needs as long as we are given prior notice.

Students are asked to bring all of their belongings in a waterproof backpack. It is not recommended that students bring any unnecessary electronic devises that might be ruined by exposure to rain or water. Sturdy water shoes, rain ponchos, flashlights, multiple swimsuits, beach towels, at least one pair of pants, bug repellent and sun screen are required.

Spanish classes are held at our private Spanish Institute in Turrialba. Classes are Monday to Thursday, 8am – 12:30pm, with a snack break at 10am. All students are given a language evaluation to determine their level and then split up into classes that best fit their abilities. All other activities are scheduled for the dates and times listed, but are subject to change due to weather conditions or other circumstances beyond our control. In case of an activity being changed, we will do our best to reschedule. If an activity must be cancelled and cannot be made up, there is no refund.

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