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Established in Montreal in 1982.
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 Central Valley, working to protect endangered sea turtles 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 exploring Manuel Antonio National Park, where you might even see a sloth or wild monkey! It won’t be long until you will fall in love with all things Costa Rican and the Pura Vida lifestyle.
Work on a community project like helping to build homes.
Learn to surf with professional instructors.
Protect endangered sea turtles through volunteer work with LAST.
Experience a canyoning adventure in Arenal.
Enjoy a thrilling whitewater rafting adventure.
Zip-line over one of the most recognized cloud forests in Monteverde.
Explore Manuel Antonio National Park on a guided tour.
Help clean local beaches and protect oceanside wildlife.
Volunteer at this animal sanctuary, where different animals and wildlife are rescued, rehabilitated, and released back into their natural habitat.
About the Costa Rica Animal Rescue Center
The Costa Rica Animal Rescue Center is dedicated to protecting and helping endangered Costa Rican wildlife. This center ensures the welfare of different animals and helps them recover from both physical and psychological wounds.
Flamingo is a quintessential beach town with pristine blue waters and stunning beaches, home to one of Costa Rica's beloved coastal communities. The impact of tourism and development has created economic and environmental challenges for the locals. Our groups have helped in beach preservation, painting and building local homes for underprivileged residents, sprucing up the soccer facility, and renovating a local classroom – which has all contributed to improving this community’s quality of life.
About Siempre Amigos
Founded in 2011, Siempre Amigos is an NGO partner organization that focuses on social responsibility with the mission to assist low-income families in the rural areas of Guanacaste, specifically in the improvement of living conditions. Siempre Amigos facilitates short-term projects with both local and international volunteers.
Our groups have aided in reforestation and rainforest rejuvenation by planting trees and plants native to Costa Rica. Under the supervision of a local guide, our students learn how to protect growing plants from invasive species at this local co-op. Students also enjoy learning about coffee plants' care and growth.
About the Life Monteverde Co-op
Life Monteverde is a co-operative in Monteverde, Costa Rica, with a strong background in agriculture and nature conservation. Their mission is to produce, protect, and educate to help perpetuate a sustainable life on Earth.
Help with various tasks with LAST including boat trips to conduct in-water studies, lending a helping hand in the sea turtle rescue center, work on mangrove reforestation project and with beach cleaning.
About LAST
For close to thirty years, their vision has been to realize a future where all inhabitants of the Costa Rican coasts can live together in balance; where healthy populations of sea turtles fulfill their ecological roles and critical natural habitats are sustainably managed.
You will work in food-insecure neighborhoods helping to bring sustainable nutrition & education to families in need both through direct contact and food banks. Volunteer by helping with the preparation of the food, distribution of meals, and helping to improve the infrastructure of the communal spaces, as well as help with planting community gardens and local beautification projects.
About Somos Picnic
Somos Picnic seeks to promote the relationship between individuals and the collective communities they live in, combining economic growth, environmental protection and social welfare. They work in local communities and have various projects including breakfasts for those experiencing homelessness, grocery delivery for vulnerable families, delivering school supplies for children in need and more!
The perfect balance of meaningful service projects, cultural immersion and unforgettable adventures.
This program requires an open mind to experience a different culture, new foods and new surroundings.
A letter of completion detailing the program's service hours and projects will be issued after the program.
Your service hours are eligible toward the President's Volunteer Service Award.
Everybody participates together in each project. Specific projects are confirmed in late spring and are similar to those described.
A professional guide accompanies the group to assist, educate and immerse the students into the local culture.
Hotels & lodges.
Includes breakfast, lunch and dinner daily.
Includes all recreation & activities listed.
Chartered, air conditioned motor coach with a professional driver.
Up to 24 participants.
We can accommodate most dietary preferences and allergies.
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.
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.
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: