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- Costa Rica Community Service 10 Days
- Costa Rica Community Service 28 Days
Costa Rica Volunteer Program for Teens
Travel to Costa Rica this summer for a teen community service program you won’t forget! Work alongside some of our long-standing service partners on projects such as taking part in a community infrastructure project in the Central Valley and helping cook for and run a food bank for a disadvantaged community. This Costa Rica student trip uses a service-learning framework tailored for high school students, where our staff provide guidance and reflection on the impact of the work we do throughout the program and promote the value of empathy and cultural sensitivity. When not volunteering, you’ll be off on amazing adventures like learning to surf, rappelling down a waterfall and zip-lining over the rainforest canopy! It won’t be long until you will fall in love with all things Costa Rican and the Pura Vida lifestyle.
About This Program
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What It's Like
The perfect balance of meaningful service projects, cultural immersion and unforgettable adventures.
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Cultural Sensitivity
This program requires an open mind to experience a different culture, new foods and new surroundings.
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60 Service Hours
A letter of completion detailing the program's service hours and projects will be issued after the program.
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Recognition
Your service hours are eligible toward the President's Volunteer Service Award.
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Service Projects
Everybody participates together in each project. Specific projects are confirmed in late spring and are similar to those described.
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Local Guide
A professional guide accompanies our staff with the group to assist, educate and immerse the students into the local culture.
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Accommodations
Hotels & lodges.
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Meals
Includes breakfast, lunch and dinner daily.
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Activities
Includes all recreation & activities listed.
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Transportation
Chartered, air-conditioned motor coach with a professional driver.
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Compatible Groupings
Separate departure dates are assigned to create compatible co-ed age groups.
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Group Size
Up to 24 participants.
Program Highlights
- • Participate in a local beautification project & care for a community garden.
- • Snorkel among tropical fish at Isla Tortuga.
- • Work on a community project like helping to build homes.
- • Enjoy a thrilling whitewater rafting adventure.
- • Experience a canyoning adventure in Arenal.
- • Learn to surf with professional instructors.
- • Zip-line over the canopy in Rincon de la Vieja National Park.
- • Help feed an impoverished community by running a food kitchen for the day.
Service Projects
Activities
Accommodations
Central Valley, Costa Rica
Our groups will be staying at a few carefully selected hotels in the Central Valley. Properties include Hotel Autentico, Hotel Adventure Inn, or Hotel Aeropuerto. Amenities at all hotels include air conditioning, internet access, and a swimming pool to enjoy.
Rincon de la Vieja, Costa Rica
Your group will stay at one of the following hotels in Rincon de la Vieja: Hacienda Guachipelin or Cañon de la Vieja. Facilities include a pool, patio with hammocks, air-conditioned rooms, Wi-Fi, and recreation space.
Flamingo Beach, Costa Rica
Our group will be staying at one of the following carefully selected hotels near Flamingo Beach: Hotel Casas del Toro Hacienda or Hotel Wilson. Amenities at all hotels include air conditioning, internet access and a swimming pool to enjoy.
Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica
Your group will stay at one of the following hotels near Arenal Volcano: Hotel Montechiari or Lavas Tacotal. All of the hotels offer great views of the volcano and surrounding area. Rooms are air-conditioned, Wi-Fi enabled, and have refreshing swimming pools.
More Details
Frequently Asked Questions
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What if I need to contact my teen during the program?
Participants may bring their cell phones so parents may call and message their kids directly. You may also contact our Communication Centers which serve as the official link between programs on the road and parents. We are staffed every day during the summer and have somebody on call for after hours emergencies ready to assist you 24/7.
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Who are the staff and what are their qualifications?
Our staff are educators, guidance counselors, coaches, college and university students, former camp counselors, residence life coordinators, community volunteers, world travelers, and other leaders with diverse backgrounds. Many are former participants themselves who couldn’t get enough of the Westcoast experience! Learn more about our summer leaders.
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How are roommates assigned?
Giving everyone a chance to make new friends creates a cohesive group and the warmest and most welcoming social environments in our industry!
On our Active Teen Tours, Global Adventures and Community Service programs, rooming rotation is as follows:
To promote this we’ve found the best system is for the Program Director to assign the rooms for the first and second stops. For the first stop, independent travelers room with other independent travelers and any friends who enrolled can room together. All participants will be assigned a different roommate for the second stop. After the first two stops, choice of roommates is always up to you!On our Pre-College Enrichment programs & Career Experiences, rooming is as follows:
We assign independent travelers with another independent traveler for the duration of your stay. Any friends who enrolled together can room together.Important notes:
- Roommates are assigned based on gender identity. We welcome all genders, inclusive of those anywhere on the gender spectrum.
- On a few programs where we spend an extended period of time at the first stop, participants have the opportunity to rotate after the first two nights.