Leave the daily grind behind, and step into the ‘Pura Vida ’ of Costa Rica! Costa Rica Rainforest Outward Bound School (CRROBS) has partnered with Southern Methodist University to offer a course filled with fun and adventure. You'll be challenged by hikes, rafting, climbing and rappeling through the exciting rivers and luscious rainforests, or enjoy breathtaking beaches and the blue water while learning how to surf.

Get ready for the wild and natural beauty of your surroundings to push your body and spirit to achieve a level of accomplishment and personal development you never thought possible!

This trek will take you on Costa Rica's most enchanting offerings; the lush jungle, an exciting river, and a gorgeous beach!  In only 7 days, you will trek through the rainforest, do a tree climb, raft Class III-IV rapids, try your skills and luck on a surfboard. You will also have the unique opportunity to spend time with Costa Rican families in their homes, and participate in their daily activities and traditions– including anything from milking cows, harvesting crops, to making tortillas by hand! You will never experience Costa Rica like this again!

The course will focus on leadership development, cultural awareness, intercultural interaction, and personal development all through the outdoor adventure. Students will be given duties and responsibilities throughout the entirety of the course. These duties and responsibilities include and are not limited to group cook, group motivator, group “doctor” (doesn’t give out medication but rather asks each one of his peers the status of their physical condition), group clean up, group leader, group “environmentalist” (makes sure the group leaves no traces behind when leaving any natural area), etc. Students will rotate through these specific duties and responsibilities.

Itinerary
Days: 7
Dates: December 12th - 19th, 2006

December 12, 2006 Participants arrive in San Jose, Costa Rica. Pick-up at Juan Santa María International Airport in San José, Costa Rica and transfer to the Outward Bound Base camp nestled in the hills of Tres Rios. Welcome and orientation meeting, “Duffle Shuffle” (packing for the trail). Overnight at the Tres Rios Base Camp.

December 13, 2006 Morning transfer to the trekking area. A Costa Rican instructor will accompany your Spanish group for the entire rainforest portion of any CRROBS course. His or her role is to share unique knowledge of the species found in the rainforest as well as introduce new Costa Rican words. Hike into Cloud Forest and see some of the rainforest's most interesting flora and fauna. Camp at a number of remote shelters under the stars at La Flecha.

December 14-15, 2006 Wake up early and spend the morning hiking to your first homestay. There you will help your host families in Piedras Blancas in their traditions and daily chores. Activities could include planting or harvesting traditional foods such as bananas, rice, beans, sugar cane, chocolate beans, avocados, oranges, squash, or corn. Food preparation could include hand milking cows or goats, grinding corn, hand-making tortillas or cooking over an open fire. Engage in a service project teaching English to local children or assisting the community with greenhouse or farming needs (service project depends on availability and season). Tonight your group will be the guests of the family, enjoying a typical home-cooked Costa Rican meal. Since most families in Piedras Blancas have many young children, you can always find a willing partner for a card game, art project, or just a nice chat for a chance to practice your Spanish. Spend the night at the Lopez’s.

December 16, 2006 Today the group will hike out of the Piedras Blancas valley where you will stay with a different local family in the area of Brujo.  Enjoy more cultural and group activities!

December 17, 2006 Early morning hike to the area of Brujo, get into rafts, and begin your day on safe but exciting Class I-IV rapids of the Savegre River (during the dry season, this river runs relatively low and might have to be switched for a different river, at which point the rafting day will be moved to the front of the itinerary). You and your group members will need to work as a team to maneuver rapids. River ecology as well as principles of hydrology will be experienced up close. Take a side hike to layered waterfalls and discover which one makes the best shower! In the evening, make your way to Manuel Antonio. Spend the night in the CRROBS Manuel Antonio base.

December 18, 2006 Spend relaxing yet energizing time at the spectacular Pacific Ocean beach area of Manuel Antonio/Quepos. You can even try your hand at surfing, boogie boarding, snorkeling or body surfing in the warm Pacific waters. Students will also have the opportunity to check out Manuel Antonio National Park along with the tropical plants and wildlife that live within it. Afternoon service project on the beach. Evening transfer to San Jose.

December 19, 2006 Transfer to international airport and fly home