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Costa Rica: Protecting the Pacific™
Turn your passion for Earth’s oceans into a journey in marine conservation.
Highlights
- Volunteer alongside passionate ocean conservationists
- Help eliminate ocean contamination
- Learn to surf on a beautiful beach
- Spot dolphins, whales, turtles & tropical fish
- Hike through Corcovado National Park
Overview
Often considered the planet’s most sustainable country, Costa Rica is a role model for the international community in environmentalism, and the perfect setting for learning about marine conservation. You’ll be based in Bahia Ballena—which translates to “whale bay”—a small coastal village located next to Marino Ballena National Park, Costa Rica’s first marine national park. With these surroundings, you’ll discover issues critical to local sustainable development, examine the full spectrum of marine conservation and adopt the perspectives of grassroots environmental leaders in ocean stewardship.
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Community Service
Contaminants generated by tourists in the local community find their way into the ocean, endangering Whale Bay and its wildlife. You’ll work alongside passionate conservationists and organizations that help the environment that are committed to eliminating ocean contamination through various projects. Depending on when you arrive in Costa Rica, you might help build a simple draining and filtration system, clean up beaches, use cutting-edge Geographical Information System (GIS) technology to map waste management, and volunteer on community infrastructure initiatives designed to educate the public and local students on recycling, trash and pollution.
Hands-On Learning
Through volunteer work and presentations, you’ll dig deep into issues of sustainability, marine conservation and climate change, and learn about the ocean’s biodiversity. Connect with grassroots leaders from organizations like the Stanford Woods Institute, who are committed to protecting our natural resources. You’ll also participate in informal soccer games with locals, take a fun dance class, explore local artisan shops in Bahia Ballena, learn to make jewelry using recycled materials and try your hand at cooking local cuisine.
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Adventure
On this action-packed adventure, you’ll visit Península de Osa, one of the world’s most biodiverse rainforests, and soar above the canopy on extensive ziplines. Even the zipline course teaches a lesson in sustainability—it’s designed to grow with the trees in order to preserve the natural beauty of the rainforest. Learn to surf from local experts and hike rugged trails in Corcovado National Park, with a good chance of spotting its endangered habitants—the jaguar, tapir and white-faced monkey.
Lodging
The Home Base is a peaceful lodge surrounded by lush gardens. Students stay in gender-segregated rooms with fans, and have bathrooms with cold-water showers. There is a pool at Home Base. Meals will be hearty and healthy, consisting of meats, beans, rice, vegetables and fruit.
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Dates & Tuition
Costa Rica: Protecting the Pacific™ 14-Day Program
| 2017 Dates |
|---|
| Jul 24 - Aug 6, 2017 |
| Aug 10 - Aug 23, 2017 |
| 2018 Dates |
|---|
| Jun 20 - Jul 3, 2018 |
| Jul 7 - Jul 20, 2018 |
| Jul 23 - Aug 5, 2018 |
| Aug 9 - Aug 22, 2018 |
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Grey
Finishing biogardens and putting up signs in the community gave me such a feeling of accomplishment, and learning to surf in such an amazing place, as well as snorkeling and the other things we were able to do were such special experiences for me. This program has placed yet another small community from another place in the world deep in my heart.
Our 21-day Flagship programs provide the ideal amount of time to satisfy every dimension of the GLA Experience.