Expedition Costa Rica Winterim 2013 Prepare for the trip of a lifetime! Expedition Costa Rica will take us to one of the most incredible natural places in the world. The Costa Rican rainforest mountains, wild rivers, and world-class beaches provide the perfect forum for true cultural immersion and adventure travel. While the backpacking, rafting, and surfing serve as the backbone of the trip, the true soul of the experience will be cultural. This is no bus tour. We will be living with our guides from Autentico Adventures, staying at their ranches alongside their families and the land they have known and loved for generations. You won t come back the same! Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7 Day 8 Day 9 Day 10 Day 11 Itinerary 11 Days In-Country! Early morning departure, drive to Playa Hermosa, evening surf lesson Morning group activities, afternoon surf session, evening relaxation Drive to Bruho, backpack to Hernon s (long day!) Backpack to the Lopez family ranch Stay at the Lopez ranch Backpack to Orlando s Backpack to Fonseca Whitewater day 1: Rio Savagre (raft) Whitewater day 2: Rio Savagre (raft) Whitewater day 3: Rio Savagre (ducky), drive to Playa Hermosa Morning surf session, noon departure, late night arrival in GR Trip Cost: $2200 Cost includes: Flight, 100% transportation, food, and lodging in Costa Rica Cost does not include: Passport, incidentals, vaccinations, meals en route 1 Who is leading the trip? 1 We will not have any city stays and.no shopping! Additional trip expenses will be minimal.
David Koning: As a teacher and outdoor educator, I know the power that amazing locations, real adventure, and group unity can have on people. I bring to this trip over 20 years of personal outdoor adventure experience, have taught outdoor education courses and led wilderness trips for Calvin College for 3 years, and hold an advanced wilderness first aid certification (WFR). Josh Rozema: Mathematics teacher Josh Rozema spent semester living in Costa Rica worked two summers at La Cumbre ( the summit ) Young Life Camp working their high ropes course. Josh loves Costa Rica, the land and its people. Josh also happens to be an avid surfer. Autentico Adventures: We will be working with Autentico Adventures. Run by an all- Costa Rican staff, Autentico is led by Filipe Lopez Salazar, former director of the Costa Rica Outward Bound program. Used by Calvin College s interim classes for 10 years, Autentico comes with the highest recommendations. They are, in the words of a guide in North Carolina who lived in Costa Rica for 4 years and has used AA with her American high school students, simply the best in the country. What is Experiential Learning? Some of the most important things in life can t be learned in a textbook or in films. Experiential learning is multi-sensory, putting students in environments and situations that engage the whole person intellect, emotions, spirit, and body. Culture: Costa Rica Adventure 2012 puts students close to the land and the people. Nothing manufactured, nothing touristy. This is not a vacation ; it is a journey. Getting to know Antonio, Filipe, Orlando, Lopez, and Hernon and having them share their lives with us will be the heart of the experience. Ecology: Costa Rica is home to some of the most pristine rainforests and coastlines in the world. As a country, Costa Rica has positioned itself as a leader in ecology and preservation. As we move from the Pacific up into the mountains, we will be immersed in the wonders of the rainforest. Personal Growth: High school is a critical period in a person s life, a time where you truly begin growing into the adult you will soon become. As we travel, we will test ourselves not only physically but also grow close together as a family. Our mornings and evenings will be spent in worship and in discussions that help you grow as a person learning more about yourself and who you both want and are called to be.
How much equipment will I need? The good news is you will need very little. We will determine how much backpacking equipment is available through the Adventure Club as we get closer to the trip, but what you don t have you can often borrow from other sources. We may be able to rent cheaply, too, from Calvin. What s expected of me? In addition to the trip itself, you will be expected to 1. Attend 3-4 pre-trip dinners 2. With a partner, prepare and teach a lesson that will prepare us ahead of time 3. Participate in weekly physical preparedness training beginning in January (Will not conflict with athletics or put undue strain on your schedule. However, having the strength and endurance appropriate for the trip ensures healthy group dynamics and your enjoyment of the activities) Sign Me Up! Here s what you need to do: Complete the application Submit 1 adult reference (attached) Submit application, deposit 2 and sign up for an interview 3. Deposit Due Thursday, March 29 Contact David Koning dkoning@grcs.org The best journeys answer the questions we didn t know to ask. (180⁰ South) 2 Your deposit secures your spot for an interview. I will be purchasing airline tickets before the final group is formed. Those not selected for this spring s trip will be given a 100% refund. Any future cancellations are refundable only if another student from the waiting list is able to go. All airline ticket transfer fees will be the responsibility of the original student. 3 Interviews April 16-19. Final group roster will be announced on Monday, April 23.
Costa Rica Adventure 2012 Application Name: Parent s Names: Phone: Email: Phone: Please type up answers to the following and staple them to this sheet. 1. Tell about an experience you ve had travelling with a group of people. 2. When you imagine yourself on the Costa Rica Adventure, what are the things that you look forward to the most? 3. Tell about an experience in which you came to know someone who came from a background quite different than your own. 4. Tell about a time you felt out of your comfort zone. 5. Describe your fitness habits. Also, are you a good swimmer? Are you comfortable in boats? 6. Please explain any past or existing surgeries, medical conditions, or injuries. Please list and explain any medications you take. 7. Tell about a time you had to follow through on a commitment. 8. Do you have spiritual hopes for the trip? What are they? 9. How have you contributed to a community? 10. Saving the best for last: How long have you gone without taking a shower? Please submit your answers along with this sheet, your 2 references, and your deposit.
Expedition Costa Rica, Winterim 2013 Teacher Reference Costa Rica Adventure 2012 will offer students a trip of a lifetime, immersing them in authentic Costa Rican culture as we live with and alongside our guides and their families, and challenging them physically and socially as our small group backpacks in rainforest mountains, rafts whitewater rivers, and surfs Pacific coastlines. In your reference, please describe the applicant s character traits, ability to handle stress and tolerance for adversity, and especially ability to enrich a small community. Thank you for your time in helping create our group!
Expedition Costa Rica, Winterim 2013 Adult Reference Applicant: please select an adult other than a teacher who knows you well. Costa Rica Adventure 2012 will offer students a trip of a lifetime, immersing them in authentic Costa Rican culture as we live with and alongside our guides and their families, and challenging them physically and socially as our small group backpacks in rainforest mountains, rafts whitewater rivers, and surfs Pacific coastlines. In your reference, please describe the applicant s character traits, ability to handle stress and tolerance for adversity, and especially ability to enrich a small community. Thank you for your time in helping create our group!
Additional/Supplemental Information Process: 1. Complete Application (see form) 2. Gather 1 non-parent adult reference (see form) 3. Sign up for an interview and submit deposit Important Early Dates: Thursday, March 19 Application, references, and deposit due Mon-Thur, April 16-19 Interviews Monday, April 23 Costa Rica Adventure roster announced October First dinner, Fitness training begins 4 Deposit: $500 deposit made out to David Koning is due in order to secure an interview. Deposit money must be collected in order to purchase our flights. Applicants not selected for this year s trip will receive a 100% refund. If for any reason a chosen applicant cannot go on the trip up until the date of departure, that spot will be made available to those on the waiting list. All necessary transfer fees will be the responsibility of the first applicant, after which the $500 will be refunded in full. Patrol Size: Expedition Costa Rica 2013 will include between 8-15 students and 2 leaders. Cost: Every effort was made to keep the cost as low as possible. Trip tuition covers flight, trip fees for Autentico Adventures (transportation, food, equipment, and guide fees), and co-leader fees. Students are also provided with a performance rash guard top and a journal. Equipment: Equipment needs will be minimal. Fundraising: I am interested in helping the group work together to explore a variety of fundraising opportunities. 4 Fitness training will occur at a variety of times to accommodate different schedules and will not overly tax athletes in their current season. Because the nature of our trip will place physical demands on the students, physical preparedness ensures a great time for the student and the group. Training expectations include 1 weekly group event and 2 individual workouts each week. January will focus on overall conditioning, February on strength, March on endurance.