COSTA RICA SUSTAINABILITY 8 DAY UPPER CANADA COLLEGE DEIRDRE TIMUSK STARTING PRICE $3,200.00 PROPOSED DATES March 11-18 2018 Activities & Attractions Community Service: Evolve Tours believes strongly in incorporating meaningful service work into our group tours. Service projects like the once described below can be incredibly valuable for communities they take place in, creating lasting and real positive change for years to come. Students participating in the project will also benefit from the experience. Project: Participate in a community service at a local school. Purpose: To aid in supporting a school near the town of Quepos. Many schools do not receive adequate funding in Costa Rica. The group will participate in a variety of community service and engagement activities to support the school. In doing so, students will take a personal role in improving the learning conditions in a facility that has become low-standard and dilapidated. This will be achieved through both cultural immersion with the students, as well as light physical labour that is needed to improve the building and facilities. Canopy Zip Line Tour Beneficiaries: Students and staff at a local school, and their community. Student Contributions: Specific contributions will depend on the current and pressing needs of the school at the time of the visit. Sample projects may include: Interacting with students and staff in Spanish/English Constructing or repairing a hydroponic garden that is used to feed many of the local students Landscaping, planting local trees and plants Repairing student desks and chairs Building benches Building an outdoor shelter Painting classrooms Participating in a debrief session/ closing ceremony with members of the tour group as well as the local community, to reflect on the project s success. White Water Rafting Equipment Needed/Provided Pre-cut Wood, Nails, Hammers, Measuring Tape, Work Gloves Trees, bushes, soil, shovels, hand shovels Paint, Brushes, Water, Buckets Staff Needed Evolve Tours Staff support students during the activity Local community contact Mauricio will direct the activity and will help direct
the building and project overall. Additional Activities: Hike to see Mountain views, primary and secondary forests, river, waterfalls, swimming holes, wildlife, and two stream crossings Paddle down a Rainforest River in White Water Rafts Participate in a surf lesson with professional instructors Participate in a Zip Line Activity Tree planting in the Rainforest Play soccer with local kids Learn how to cook Costa Rican meals in a responsible way by using a methane biogester, rocket stove, cob oven and solar cookers Work with goats, hens, ducks and fish, learn about animal husbandry Work on a Soccer Field and Trail Maintenance Project Visit a traditional market in Costa Rica Learn How to Salsa dance Learn basic Spanish Accomodations Hotels: Triple accommodation for students Double occupancy for staff Eco Lodge: Mix of dorm and Cabin style accommodation Night 1,2,3,4: Eco Lodge Accommodation Night 5,6,7: Hotel on the Pacific Coast
Meals All meals are included while in Costa Rica Students will have opportunities to buy extra snacks or meals on their own Transportation Return coach airfare from Toronto Pearson International Airport to San Jose, Costa Rica Private Coach Transportation Additional Personnel 1 Evolve Tours Director + Local Staff Package Price is based on Number of Students 10 Complimentary Chaperones 2 Cost per Paying Student $3200 tax incl. Prices subject to availability and change until contract signed Prices may be subject to fuel surcharges and baggage fees Departure tax from Costa Rica is not included $29.00 USD pp payable in person Total Package price may vary if number of paying customers changes This quote expires May 31st 2017 Tips for drivers and guides are appreciated Insurance Optional travel insurance: medical, baggage, cancellation and trip interruption coverage available ITINERARY DAY 1 MARCH 11, 2018 COSTA RICA BOUND - PURA VIDA! Meet at Toronto Pearson International Airport in the morning and travel to San Jose, Costa Rica. In the evening we will eat a delicious dinner after a long day of travel and get some rest in our hotel in San Jose. DAY 2
MARCH 12, 2018 SURFS UP! - PLAYA UVITA Tonight we will stay in a the town on the Pacific Ocean, which is famous for its surf breaks. This town is quaint and still under the radar from large hotels and the bulk of tourists. Surfs up! Today is the day you learn how to surf or for those who already know how, get better at surfing. Our professional surf instructors will give us a full inland lesson on safety and proper technique so that we can have the best possible session! In the afternoon we will have a chance to do some zip lining. Pass overtop the forest canopy on a zip line course that involves several lines. We will have time to purchase Costa Rican crafts and gifts for friends and family back home. Afterwards, we will return to our hotel to eat dinner. On a clear day we will see one of the most unbelievable sunsets. In the late evening we will lessons. participate in some salsa DAY 3 MARCH 13, 2018 COMMUNITY SERVICE + SURF LESSON On this day students will be split into 2 groups to participate in a Community Service project at a School. Students will also take a personal role in improving the learning conditions in a facility that has become low standard (dilapidated). We will also help construct or repair a hydroponic garden that is used to feed many of the local students. In the afternoon we will participate in our second surf lesson. DAY 4 MARCH 14, 2018 COMMUNITY SERVICE The group will again split into 2 groups and continue working on the community projects they started the previous day. In the afternoon, we will have time to purchase Costa Rican crafts and gifts for friends and family back home. DAY 5 MARCH 15, 2018 RAFTING THE SAVEGRE RIVER + ECO LODGE Today we will wake up early and head out on a full day white water rafting adventure on the Savegre River! The Savegre is one of the best rivers for rafting in the world. Before we begin, paddling, safety and other on-river skills and instructions will be taught. We will need to work as a team to maneuver rapids. We ll take a side hike to layered waterfalls and discover which one makes the best shower! After, our private bus will transfer us to a small village near Zapaton, which is located 2.5 hours from San Jose. The town of has a population of 150 people, who live from the land and promote real Eco Tourism. Upon arrival we will unpack our gear, relax before dinner and have a group discussion with some of the community leaders on what we will be working on over the next few days. Dinner will be enjoyed at the Ranch. All the meals that we will consume are cultivated from the land. The only item that is brought into the Ranch is packaged pasta, everything else, including drinks, vegetables, cheeses, breads etc is all grown, cooked, or prepared right on the property. Students will take an active role during meal time throughout the trip. DAY 6 MARCH 16, 2018 ECO LODGE, COSTA RICA In the morning we will participate in a Ranch Tour and Orientation. Following this activity we will break into groups for the remainder of the day. Half the group will participate in the Sustainable Food Preparation Activity at the Ranch: learning how to cook Costa Rican meals in a responsible way by using a methane Biogester, rocket stove, cob oven and solar cookers. In so doing, they will be able to assist in preparing the day s lunch. The other half of the group, will participate in a Natural Building Workshop, designing and building structures to minimize the impact on our environment and maximize their sustainability. Using the stones and rocks, straw/natural grasses, bamboo and even manure, students will learn techniques such as Cob Building- which utilizes clay, sand and straw or other fibers- and Wattle and Daub- which uses woven woods or bamboo to construct a structure at the Ranch as an alternative to using concrete, which is ubiquitous across Costa Rica. In the late afternoon we have a chance to swim in the on-site Waterfall. In the evening we will gather for dinner followed by evening activities at the Ranch (journaling, games, discussion). DAY 7 MARCH 17, 2018 ECO LODGE LAST DAY In a group rotation we will participate in a service project at the Ranch. We will start bright and early working a revitalization of the soccer field with maintenance and cleanup. The soccer field in the town is a community center piece (like it is throughout the country) our enhancement of it will bring joy not only the community as whole, but specifically the children in the community. Enjoy final dinner at the ranch. DAY 8 MARCH 18, 2018 TRAVEL TO TORONTO Head to the airport to catch our flight home
THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO PLAN YOUR TRIP EVOLVETOURS HAND PICKED FROM AROUND THE WORLD. We derive a lot of pride from our tour leaders: they are the face of our company, the life of our tours, and often times the highlight for your students and trip. Our diverse team of tour leaders represent leaders in their fields: outdoor education, history, languages, camp programming, and much more. #EVOLVETOURS EVOLVETOURS.COM Sustainability: Evolve Tours is committed to preserving and improving this precious planet of ours. Social Responsibility: Evolve Tours is committed to continuously improving the travel experience for anybody who comes through our door Customize: Evolve Tours is an independent educational travel provider that puts experiential education first. Being independent means that we are able to fully customize any tour. CANADA 69 WINGOLD AVENUE SUITE 120 TORONTO, ONTARIO M6B1P8 U.S.A. 467 S. RODEO DR. LOS ANGELES, CA 90212 TOLL FREE 1.888.222.5066 FAX 416.619.4586 TICO #50017336