Embark on a transformative 22-day journey through Costa Rica designed specifically for 11th and 12th graders who crave both adventure and purpose. This program uniquely balances exhilarating outdoor activities with impactful community service, giving you up to 20 hours of meaningful volunteer experience while pushing your personal boundaries in one of the world's most biodiverse destinations.

Your adventure begins at Tamarindo Beach, one of Costa Rica's most stunning Pacific coastal towns, where you'll take surf lessons in beginner-friendly waters and explore the famous Conchal Beach with its distinctive shell-sand shoreline. From there, you'll progress to Rincón de la Vieja, a spectacular hacienda lodge surrounded by lush gardens and overlooking an active volcano. Here you'll experience canyoning through jungle waterfalls, rappelling down Victoria Falls, horseback riding to hidden waterfalls, tubing down the Río Negro, and ziplining through the canopy—all while spotting monkeys, sloths, and exotic birds.

The heart of your journey takes you to Turrialba for a thrilling two-day whitewater rafting expedition on the Pacuare River, consistently rated as one of the world's top rivers for rafting. You'll sleep in a jungle lodge on the riverbank and wake to rainforest sounds and adventure. In La Fortuna, you'll experience the breathtaking 210-foot waterfall and zip-line over the jungle near the famous Arenal Volcano, then soothe tired muscles in natural hot springs formed by volcanic activity.

Your service work in Samara Beach connects you directly with local youth through an organization providing educational and recreational opportunities. You'll engage in projects like teaching English, creating group art installations, and environmental conservation work—genuine interactions that create lasting bonds with the community. This isn't performative volunteering; it's meaningful collaboration with locals who welcome your contribution.

Throughout the 22 days, you'll stay in carefully selected, family-run accommodations rather than impersonal chain hotels, eat authentic local cuisine (with full dietary accommodation), and travel with experienced guides and chaperones. The program emphasizes authentic cultural immersion—eating where locals eat, staying where the community gathers, and engaging respectfully with Costa Rican culture. Parents receive daily photo updates and detailed recaps, ensuring safety while you gain independence and confidence as a traveler. This program is specifically designed for older teens ready to challenge themselves, contribute meaningfully, and return home transformed.