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Costa Rica Trip

Informational Meeting

When?
Friday, September 21, 2012 – 8:10 am

Where?
EC Commons

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About Costa Rica

Costa Rica ranks among the top 20 countries world-wide for biodiversity, despite the fact that its land area represents less a third of one percent of the planet’s surface. There are more than 1,400 species of orchids in Costa Rica and new ones are discovered each year! This staggering biodiversity stems from Costa Rica’s function as a land bridge between two continents and the country’s eclectic combination of ecosystems and geographic features – including rain and cloud forests, savanna, mountains, volcanoes, two separate coastlines, beaches and mangrove swamps.

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Where in Costa Rica

Our communities in Northern Costa Rica are ideally situated for both service learning and Spanish language immersion. It is only a 2-hour bus drive from San José, which means that students will not only be immersed in Costa Rican language and culture, but they will also be able to experience the rain forest within hours of arriving in Costa Rica. The area is also close to some of Costa Rica’s most important parks and rain forest reserves. After our arrival, we will begin orientation and stay at a comfortable eco-lodge. We will begin to explore our surroundings, including nearby rain forest. Each morning we will work on a main service project, which will be designed in consultation with the needs of the local community. After lunch, we will have time for activities, sports and free time. On certain evenings, the group reconvenes for reflection sessions. The last few days of a World Leadership School program are a time for closure and celebration. We will head to La Fortuna, a nearby town known for its waterfalls, hot springs and the Arenal Volcano. We will swim beneath a 100-foot waterfall, soak in the mineral springs and walk around the base of Arenal, which occasionally releases puffs of ash from its summit cone.

Trip Schedule

We will leave on the morning of Thursday, May 30th and return in the afternoon of Thursday, June 6th

PDS Costa Rica Service Learning Trip

with World Leadership School

May 30 - June 6, 2013

Open to rising 2013-2014 6th Grade PDS students (current 5th grade students)

PDS trip leaders: Mark Fruitt, Principal of Elementary Division, Russ Norment, Spanish Teacher and past leader of numerous student overseas trips, and Cindy Brock, Technology Coordinator.

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PDS has teamed with World Leadership School to offer a unique service learning and leadership building experience for rising 6th graders.

The eight-day program will include activities that build resilience and provide immersion into a Spanish-speaking environment, while strengthening our global curriculum.

We will be partnered with an elementary school in the village of Chilamate as part of a service learning sustainable project, where our students will help with technology training and sports activities with local students.

This will be our third visit to the community as we look for small yet meaningful ways to be part of the solution to some of our world’s pressing needs.

Approximate Program Cost: $2200 – $2600, plus airfare (which ranges from $400-$600)

depends on number of participants

Program fee includes:

Custom-designed itinerary and leadership curriculum
Coordination of airfare and logistical arrangements
In-country transport from airport pick-up to drop-off
All meals
Eco-lodge accommodations
Outdoor adventure activities, such as rafting, zip-lines and trekking
Global issues presentations
Leadership training and mentoring
Dedicated World Leadership School instructor
Support from country and/or community coordinator
Travel and emergency medical insurance
All entry fees, rental gear and tips

Program fee does not include:

Immunizations
Airfare
Spending money for souvenirs, snacks, soft drinks, toiletries, medications, phone calls and other personal items
Donation for service project. World Leadership School asks that each student raise $250 for Latin American programs. The money is donated directly to the service project and enables students to feel a greater personal investment in the project.