Costa Rica Adventure

Environmental Science and Culture in Costa Rica. Jungles, rain forests, and tropical rivers. Rare and endangered species, and cultural interaction. Available for academic credit at high school and college levels.

Environmental Science and Culture in Costa Rica. Jungles, rain forests, and tropical rivers. Rare and endangered species, and cultural interaction. Available for academic credit at high school and college levels.

Earth Explore Costa Rica Adventure Quick Facts

8 day program Active and Educational Hotels in San Jose,

Tortuguero, and Monteverde

3 meals a day 2 expert naturalist

guides On-site resource

experts Group size 20-30 Students 3 to a room

Costa Rica Adventure Itinerary

Our route takes us from San Jose, east to Tortuguero National Park for wildlife viewing along wild jungle canals. In the Orosi Valley we raft the Pejivalle River. To the west, we visit the Monteverde and Santa Elena Cloud Forests, and explore pristine areas by trail, motor launch, river raft, zip line, and horseback. We visit a school and interact with native Costa Ricans.

Brief Highlights of Program

Tortuguero National Park - Wildlife Viewing-Endangered Species, biodiversity

Orosi Valley Rafting Zip Line through jungle

canopy Scenic Horseback ride in

Monteverde Monteverde/Santa Elena

Cloud Forests - biosystems, microclimates

Visit to school, village for cultural interaction

Possible viewing of Sea Turtle nesting activities in Tortuguero (weather

permitting) Tortuguero National Park

Brief Highlights page 2

We stay in jungle lodges at Tortuga and Monteverde During our time in Tortuguero, cultural interaction with children,

including a soccer game, is planned Our zip line adventure includes 14 platforms, 1 mile total,

ecological trails, a mix of adventure and learning During our raft trip, we will also swim, float on tubes, and have a

picnic lunch in a jungle setting along the river

The Earth Explore FoundationYour Planet. Discover it. Protect it.

EEF has sponsored Teacher-led educational programs since 1995

Founded by teachers and outdoor educators

Mission is to encourage learning in the outdoor classroom - science and cultures

More than 5 thousand students from 35 states have participated

The EE Foundation is a not for profit, mission-based educational organization

All programs can offer credit at HS and College levels

Adventures to Planet EarthFun and Learning in Inspiring Places

Just the Facts-Earth Explore Parents, students and teacher know

one another Low adult/student ratio Credit opportunities- always hands-

on World’s finest partner organizations An ideal mix of learning and fun

adventure

Preparation Meetings get students ready for the trip

Programs are mission based, emphasizing student-nature connections Not just a Student “Tour”

Study the Earth; its landscapes, processes, people and cultures, through fun hands-on exploration

Create enduring connections with the natural world Encourage curiosity, inquiry based learning

What happens when?

Groups form/students enroll August through December

All Adventures usually full by January 1st Teacher conducts preparation sessions in

late winter through the spring Usually 3-4 two hour get-togethers Student receives the Naturalist newsletter

quarterly, and program Adventure Guide

What happens when?

Travel Packet arrives in May– Detailed day to

day itinerary customized for each group

– Official program cap, field journal, photo credentials, luggage tag, T-shirt

Earth Explore Online

PDFs available Academic Credit

Outline Fundraising Packet Program Flyers and

Brochures

Program Newsletters Student Application Health Form (spring)

Earth Explore AdventuresStudent application process

Applications accepted until local group is full, then waitlist is begun

If student is not known to teacher, interview is required

Students can invite friends or siblings, subject to space available and interview

Application requires deposit of $400

Earth Explore AdventuresStudent application process - continued

Limited number of spaces for each Adventure each season

Space is allotted on a first come, first served basis

Application can be mailed, faxed, or submitted online - most now apply online

Lead teacher will have materials or they can be requested from the National Office, or downloaded online

Costa Rica AdventureWhat’s Included - What’s Not

All program activities/instruction All meals (3 per day) Hotel accommodations (no hostels

or camping) 2 Travel Manager/Naturalist Guides

per group On site resource experts Chaperoning by students’ own

teachers Program accident insurance Travel items including cap, t-shirt,

journal, luggage tags Academic credit tuition - HS Option for college credit

Included

Program airfare - Earth Explore arranges this for the group

Passport - Required Items of a strictly personal

nature (for example souvenirs)

Not Included

Costa Rica - Travel Details

Passport must be valid for 6 months beyond date of arrival U.S. Citizens do not require a separate visa No special shots required for residents of U.S. Earth Explore uses Costa Rica’s finest ground partners, and three star

hotels for all programs

Costa Rica Travel Details - continued

Winter and Spring meetings provide curriculum and travel instruction

Quarterly newsletters provide information on passports, health forms and other details

Flights are arranged once group is fully formed (usually November or December)

Costa Rica - Enrollment/Payment

Families can enroll and submit deposit online Include name of your teacher to be assigned to group automatically Can also mail in application which is available as a PDF document

online - click “get materials” Various payment plans, including monthly, and automatic charge to

credit card Full tuition due April 1st - Extension for fundraising possible

Costa Rica Adventure - In Pictures

San Jose to Tortuguero Hotel Presidente Rafting the Rio Pejivalle By van and boat to Tortuguero

Arrival at Tortuga Lodge for 3 nights

Exploration of Jungle canals and habitats

Wildlife includes Spider, Howler and White Faced Monkeys, Three Toed Sloth, River Otters, 320 bird species, 3 species of toucans, 8 species of parrots

Costa Rica - In Pictures

Tortuguero Beach is nesting ground for Atlantic Green Sea Turtle Viewing of nesting sites, possible viewing of egg laying activity

Costa Rica - In Pictures

Costa Rica - In Pictures

We fly back to San Jose, then proceed by ground west, to Monteverde Zip line adventure enroute in tropical forest, above the Gulf of Nicoya

and the Barranca River Check in at Monteverde Lodge

Monteverde is a “green” lodge Operated with sustainable practices,

recycling, solar energy use Grounds protect native species

Exploration by foot and canopy bridge

Expert on site naturalist guides

Monteverde Cloud Forest, 4600 feet elevation is one of the world’s most important biological preserves Immense bio-diversity in small area.

6 different ecological communities, 2000 plant species. Protected animals include jaguar, ocelot, quetzal, and many others

Costa Rica - In Pictures

Evening horseback ride with views of the Gulf of Nicoya and area plantations

Visit to Santa Elena Cloud Forest - Higher and less visited than Monteverde

Amazing diversity of plant and animal life - wild orchids, 100 species of mammals, more than 300 bird species

Costa Rica - In Pictures

Costa Rica AdventureHands-on Leaning and Adventure