The Spanish Immersion Adventure (SIA) combines the exhilaration of outdoor adventures with a traditional learning environment. Our small community creates a strong sense of belonging as we learn, play and experience together. Each month we bring a new adventure emphasis. During the school week, students experientially learn the tools necessary to safely engage in the adventure sport of the month. Most weekends will then involve short expeditions that put this knowledge into practice as Costa Rica is an ideal location for year-round outdoor adventures. It is important to note that more than just adventure, students will also be engaging in community service and cultural interaction in various forms throughout the entire course.

As an example, during the month of white water kayaking, students will spend some after-school time in a pool learning important techniques of kayaking such as paddling, rolling, self-rescue, and safety systems. On the weekends, students will travel to different rivers and spend the days kayaking spectacular white water deep within Costa Rican rainforests. In addition to developing self-confidence, gaining knowledge, and having fun, students will also earn internationally recognized certifications in many of these adventure activities.

In addition to weekend expeditions and weekly training, students will engage in long expeditions. Long Expeditions are opportunities for students to implement all the knowledge they have obtained in the mini expeditions as well as utilize their new found Spanish skills. There are four separate expeditions that the student will experience:

• PANAMA SCUBA DIVING/KAYAKING EXPEDITION (12 days)
• COSTA RICA RAFTING/KAYAKING EXPEDITION (15 days)
• NICARAGUA EXPEDITON (12 days)
• COSTA RICA HOMESTAY (25 days)

Please reference the itinerary section for a more detailed breakdown of the long expeditions.

The break-down of Adventure Emphasis' during the SIA program is the following:

White Water Rafting Captaining

- Safety systems - Paddling techniques - River ecology/morphology - Running class I-III rapids - International Rafting Federation - Raft Captain with Swift Water - Rescue Certification

Surfing and bodyboarding

- Learn fundamentals of surfing and bodyboarding at some of the world's most popular surf locations - Safety systems - Beach ecology - Paddling and timing - Wave reading - Predicting waves - Beach Safety and Rescue - Certification using the American - Red Cross curriculum

Rainforest Trekking and Ocean Activities

- Camp craft - Rainforest ecology - Principles of sustainable --development  - American Red Cross First Aid & - CPR with wilderness focus Certification

Climbing/Reppeling

- Fundamental climbing technique - and rappelling - Low ropes - High ropes - Low ropes - Belay technique - Rope management - gear - Types of climbing - High and low angle rescue - Safety systems

Wake Sports

- Wakeboarding - Wake skating - Kneeboarding - Water skiing - Boat safety - Student support program - American Red Cross Small Craft - Safety Certification

Scuba Diving

- 14 Hours of theory - 5 open water training dives - Additional dives including one - night dive - Snorkel - Coral reef ecology - Rescue/safety techniques  - NAUI open water certification

White Water Kayaking

- Safety systems - Paddling techniques - River ecology/morphology - Running class I-III rapids   - International Rafting Federation - curriculum - Swift Water Rescue curriculum

Throughout these disciplines student will be able to earn the following certifications:
- CPR
- First Aid
- Swift Water Rescue
- Raft Captaining
- Scuba Certifications

*Please note that this break-down may change depending on weather and other conditions.