Sustainability and Leadership in Costa Rica

The itinerary is the starting point to your tour, but it’s not set in stone. Your group leader may make changes leading up to departure.

Day 1, Monday June 30: San Jose

Depart from the USA. Arrive in Costa Rica, the land known for Sustainability, and meet your dedicated Tour Manager. Browse through the local markets before dinner (arrival time permitting.) (D)

Day 2, Tuesday July 1: San Jose

This morning start with a half-day visit to the Costa Rican Humanitarian Foundation for a lecture on the leader’s work and life story. Learn about the challenges of education in most immigrant families, and the female founder’s efforts in using education as a way to fight poverty in one of the poorest communities in the city. Enjoy time in the evening to discuss your goals and intentions for this journey as you bond as a group from across the country. (B,L,D)

Day 3, Wednesday July 2: Monteverde

This morning, depart for Monteverde. Before going up to the cloud forest, stop along the way at a responsible fishery on the Gulf of Nicoya led by a local fisherman who has paved the way to sustainable fishing in his hometown. Not only is this an educational effort to save the sea, it will also be an opportunity for to meet working fishermen in a community in great need of economic development. (B,L,D)

Day 4, Thursday July 3: Monteverde

Originally settled in the 1950’s by a group of Quakers from Alabama, Monteverde is the leader of sustainable communities in Costa Rica. Today you’ll explore this important and fascinating ecosystem which is home to more than 400 species of birds, 100 species of mammals and 2,500 species of plants including the jaguar, ocelot, Baird's tapir, three-wattled bellbird, bare-necked umbrellabird, and the famously elusive resplendent quetzal. Share your day with an organized Scouts and Pathfinders Club, who are leaders in community activism and nature conservation in the cloud forest. As a welcome to our American Girl Scouts to Monteverde, you’ll have the chance to earn a specially developed patch unique to this leadership experience! (B,D)

Day 5, Friday July 4: Guanacaste Coast

In the morning, take your Girl Scouts skills up to the next level! Adventure together through an exciting challenge course within the cloud forest that will consist of tree-top zipline bike, Tarzan swing, monkey bridges and climbing trees. For this challenge you will have to strategize and focus on your end goal to complete all steps! In the afternoon, your journey continues to the Pacific Coast! (B,L,D)

Day 6, Saturday July 5: Guanacaste Coast

The Nicoya Peninsula in the province of Guanacaste is one of the world’s rare longevity hotspots known as “Blue Zones.” Visit a family in this unique region and learn how responsible tourism can connect academics to empirical knowledge and students to centennial populations for a better future. Lunch in this Blue Zone is sure to be one of the most delicious meals you will have during your stay. After this, join a local NGO and their lead biologist to help her save the four different turtle species that visit the nearby black sand beach. This is a very special hands-on activity in turtle conservation, nursery care, ocean protection, and night patrol under a starry sky. (B,L,D)

Day 7, Sunday July 6: Guanacaste Coast

This morning you’ll board your research boat and sail the Pacific Ocean alongside an NGO that connects people to the sea to save the world! You will also be introduced to Laser Photogrammetry to understand how researchers use lasers to measure sharks and rays as part of their research of the endangered elasmobranch species. This afternoon, enjoy some reflective time together as a group, and a free beach afternoon before your farewell dinner! (B, L, D)

Day 8, Monday July 7: Departure

Bid adios to Costa Rica and transfer back to the airport for your return to the U.S. (B)