Outward Bound in Costa Rica/Panama/Nicaragua

  Costa Rica

• San Jose: 
San Jose

Term: Throughout the year 
Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks and 9-12 weeks
Dates: Inquire for more info.

Description: Choose from four semester programs or several other intermittent adventure programs throughout the year. Earn high school or college credit in the clouds and rainforest, warm Pacific water, and local homestays of Costa Rica. With a high focus on personal development outside of the classroom, conquer the great outdoors while speaking Spanish with locals.

Cross Costa Rica from the Atlantic coast through rainforests, across bridges, over mountains and at last, to the glorious Pacific ocean by foot. The Tri-Country Semester (85-day) course not only takes you through the village homestays, waterfall rappelling, cave exploring and tree climbing, but goes many steps beyond. Learn to kayak some of the world's most beautiful rivers, surf some of its best breaks and experience life in a self-sustaining Hindu community and pass a 48-hour solo in the rainforest. Pick up safety certifications in Wilderness First Aid, CPR, Swift Water Rescue and Intro Kayaking. And just when you think you've had enough excitement for one year you find yourself atop a long board, surfing the breaks of Nicaragua, studying beach ecology. Next you're on to Panama to explore the ocean from above and below within our SCUBA and sailing elements. See the world, make lifelong friends, learn hard-core outdoor skills and get college credit in the process. Need we say more' Other shorter programs are available in Costa Rica from 10-60 days.

Highlights: Imagine... mud soaked boots drop from your weary feet to the floor of a newly erected tarp shelter. Your leg muscles sigh relief as you sprawl onto your sleeping bag. Your mind retraces the twelve miles of Costa Rican rainforest you've just crossed. You smile as you recall the troop of spider monkeys that crossed your group's path earlier that day. You are deliriously tired, but have found perfect peace. A change has occurred. Things that was once easy like having cooked meals and getting from point A to point B have become difficult tests. Things that seemed overwhelming like the stresses and worries of everyday life are literally hundreds of miles away. Your mind is bent on the present. Whether you are surfing a big wave, rappelling a waterfall, kayaking a class III rapid, struggling through a conversation in Spanish, exploring a dark cave or summiting Chirripo, all that matters is the task at hand. And as each task is completed, your strength of spirit grows and the worries of the world fade further and further into the distance. Before long you will return to some version of the real world, but you will do so stronger, more confident and more spirited than before. You will return to the familiar with an completely new, unfamiliar perspective. Join us; we offer you the opportunity to explore the natural wonders of Costa Rica, but more importantly, we offer you the opportunity to explore your own soul.

Cost in US$: Inquire for more info.

Credit Available: yes

Experience Required: no