The Costa Rica Service Challenge provides an exciting opportunity for Girl Scouts to experience a new country and culture through service projects as well as adrenaline-fueled adventure activities.

Picture It

If you’re looking for the ultimate Service Challenge, this is the course for you! During your 10 or 15 days in tropical Costa Rica you will work to improve the lives of local people and to protect the unique and fragile ecosystem of this beautiful country.

You’ll participate in two sets of service projects spanning both of Costa Rica’s coastal areas. One project will be centered around the indigenous area of Talamanca. While staying in remote villages, projects may include food distribution, garden building, teaching English, building aqueducts and recycling projects. You will learn about native customs, culture, language and food while making an active contribution to the community. Other projects generally take place near Playa Tulin – close to the famous surfing beach, Hermosa, which can include working with local park rangers to protect and enhance the habitats of endangered sea turtles.

When you’re not engaging in one of the service projects, you’ll have the chance to brave the rapids on a whitewater rafting adventure, experience the local flora and fauna during a canopy tour, and soak in the vibrant culture of Costa Rica’s capital city, San Jose.

Girl Scouts will be exposed to Costa Rica Outward Bound’s unique approach to outdoor education and personal development. Woven into all activities are discussions and meetings about leadership. You will explore how the challenges you meet in and out of the Central American wilderness help you confront other challenges that life presents.

Map It

San Jose, Costa Rica
Base camp in San Ramon de Tres Rios; Due to changing water and weather conditions, we can not specify exactly which beaches and rivers your course will visit; Talamanca and/or Tulin

Be It

• Interest in community service and cultural exchange
• Ready for a physical fitness challenge
• Intermediate-level swimmer who is comfortable in the water
• A good team player                        

Plan It

• Session 1; June 27, 2011–July 12, 2011; $1,995
  Must be 13–18 years old at the time of the event.
• Session 2; July 16–31, 2011; $1,995
  Must be 13–18 years old at the time of the event.

Get It

• A packing list will be provided upon acceptance
• Valid current passport

• You will need a tetanus vaccination before arrival

$ It

$100 deposit will be due immediately upon acceptance (to be used toward the total tuition cost of the course)

You will be responsible for your own round-trip airfare to San Jose, Costa Rica, as well as your spending money. You will need to provide a $200 refundable surfboard deposit check if you choose to use one of our boards.

Note:

Please be sure to specify what session you are applying for when filling out your application.

Application Instructions:
	Do not send self addressed stamped postcard with your application. You will receive an email from CRROBS when your application is received. Your application will be sent to Miami, but the CRROBS office is in Costa Rica.

Download the Application Form(s):
	destinations_girl_application_2011.pdf destinations_girl_application_2011.doc