Summer Camp Leadership in Costa Rica

Arrive at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) or Newark Liberty Airport (EWR) where you’ll meet your Rustic Pathways Flight Leader, who will help get you checked in and through security before traveling with your group to Costa Rica. Get acquainted with fellow Rustic travelers before boarding your flight. Arrive at San Jose International Airport (SJO) and meet your Program Leaders who will be with you for the duration of the program. Join the group for an orientation discussion about the week ahead, expectations for your adventure, and an introduction to the local culture.

Settle into your hotel for the first night in San Jose, relaxing after your long flight. You’ll share rooms with your fellow Rustic travelers with private bathrooms.

Start the trip with an exciting whitewater rafting challenge on the Pacuare River. During this two-day trip, get to know your group and leaders with activities at the river lodge at night.

Enjoy your first glimpses of this spectacular country along the Pacuare River. From its rainforests to its volcanic peaks and its two coasts, Costa Rica is one of the most beautiful nations in Central America. Home to some of the most biodiverse swaths of land and sea on the planet, Costa Rica is famed for its natural environment – and it’s commitment to that environment! Costa Ricans – or Ticos, as they’re called here – are intensely proud and protective of their country’s natural beauty, and have put their country on the map as the world leader in ecotourism and environmental protection.

In addition to its stunning flora and fauna, Costa Rica is also world-renowned for its adventure activities, some of which you will be sampling in the days to come!

You’ll spend the night in an eco-friendly lodge. Share rooms with private bathrooms.

Yesterday, when you reach the river’s end, we’ll drive to Sarapiqui for a three-night stay at the beautiful property of a former traditional ranch house. Set on the banks of the Sarapiqui and San Rafael Rivers, the stay including three meals a day and amazing access to the surrounding nature.

Spend the mornings and afternoons learning about camp structure, join intensive leadership training and planning the camp schedule for the next week with all activities that will make the summer camp a success! In your downtime, you’ll be able to hike trails and explore natural areas around the lodge.

You’ll share rooms with 2-6 students of the same gender, with private bathrooms.

Head to the base camp in Arenal, where you’ll stay for the duration of the camp you run. First, head to an organic farm for a cultural demonstration. Learn about Costa Rica’s rich history and traditions, and all about where your food here comes from. Then head into town for some brief exploration before finally arriving at the base house to settle into our home for the next week. It is also your last day of planning, and in the evening you will decorate camp and put the final touches on the camp plan.

Spend the next 7 nights living and sleeping at the summer camp base house. Shared rooms with shared bathrooms, separated by gender.

The next six days will be a dream come true for the Costa Rican children joining what for some may be their first-ever summer camp. Wake up early and have breakfast with your fellow counselors, before receiving the Tico kids every day at around 9:00 a.m. Spend the day with the children, running various games and activities, coordinating lunch and snack times, and then saying goodbye to them at around 3 p.m. each afternoon. You’ll build special relationships with these energetic and warm-hearted kids, and put your leadership skills into practice.

On some days after the camp, you may have the chance to participate in different adventure activities in the La Fortuna area. These activities include ziplining through the rainforest near the volcano. You will also have the opportunity to visit the natural hot springs.

In the evenings, you will evaluate the day with your team and prepare for the next one. Eat dinner together and enjoy a relaxing evening.

Today, move out of the Base House and into a local hotel close to town. Today is about adventure! Kayak the beautiful Lake Arenal right at the foot of the volcano. Then take a small hike in the national park to enjoy some of Costa Rica’s amazing wildlife. Have the rest of the afternoon/evening relaxing in town and debriefing camp.

You’ll sleep in a hotel with 2-4 students sharing a room, separated by gender. Private bathrooms with hot water.

Costa Rica is most famous for its wildlife and coffee. Get ready to indulge in both! After packing to leave the hotel, spend the morning tour/demonstration of some of the local coffee or chocolate products special to this region!

Then, take a bus ride to your hotel on the Pacific Coast where we will spend one night with shared rooms and private bathrooms.

At the end of each program, students reflect on their experiences and the issues they engaged with, and talk about how to apply this new understanding to their own worlds. During or after their closing discussion, groups participate in Rustic Ties, a unique and powerful activity that allows students to capture the memories and learning moments of their program to process and share with their communities back home.

Welcome to the Pacific Coast! We’ll take a catamaran tour to enjoy the stunning sea, do some snorkeling, and enjoy a beautiful Pacific sunset. Reminisce about the camp you’ve just completed, and spend time enjoying the company of your team before heading back to San Jose for the night.

Spend your final night in a hotel with shared rooms with private bathrooms.

Your Program Leaders will take you to the airport for your flight home or to your next Rustic program as you say goodbyes and reflect on your adventure.

If you’re staying in Costa Rica, your Program Leaders will take you to your next accommodation to meet your new group. If you’re continuing on to another Rustic Pathways destination, you’ll board a connecting flight to that country.