Description

The Great Costa Rican Scavenger Hunt has quickly become a one-of-a-kind service adventure and a true phenomenon for Rustic Pathways! We invite you to join us on this great Costa Rican hunt for adrenaline-pumping adventure, high competition, and lots of fun and meaningful service. This is the ultimate Costa Rican experience!

An Adventure with a Cause
The first step in the journey is getting to know the small village that will benefit from your service adventure. The locals here will welcome you like an old friend and happily introduce you to their home. Play with the school children, jump into a soccer game, and share a meal. After learning of the community's needs and hearing about their preferred service project, you will say farewell to the village and set out on your quest.

As you travel around Costa Rica, you will take part in incredible adventures and cultural challenges. The more challenges you master, the more money you'll earn for the community service project! David Venning, the founder of Rustic Pathways, has pledged to donate money to the project for each task you successfully complete. It will be up to you to rise to the challenge and earn the funds necessary to finish the project. At the end of your epic journey, you'll return to the village and present the money you have earned to the local leaders.

Away We Go!
After leaving the village, you'll head toward the Arenal Volcano region to zip line, hike, horseback ride, kayak, photograph, and dance your way through a series of competitions. From the top of an extinct volcano to the heart of the Children's Eternal Forest, your challenges will be both athletic and cultural and are guaranteed to push you to new limits.

Then head out to phase two of your adventure: the Caribbean Coast! Along the way you'll stop to bungee jump from a 280-foot bridge (optional). After facing the jump, get ready for a two-day rafting challenge on the Pacuare River. Emerge from the river and head to the coast to enjoy the laid-back vibe and pristine beaches of the Caribbean.

Here in the funky towns of Cahuita and Puerto Viejo, your team will surf, build sandcastles, and play soccer against locals during the final challenges.

The more challenges your team wins, the more the community will benefit, so remember to give it your all! And always be prepared for the unexpected and unusual as your journey progresses, your guides may plan surprise trips and crazy contests that come into play when you least expect them.

A Special Note for Scavenger Hunt Students
The Great Costa Rican Scavenger Hunt is designed for students with great leadership skills and competitive spirits. You should be enthusiastic, energetic, and ready to adjust to different challenges. You should also be aware that some challenges are physically demanding and strenuous.

Make the Connection
Before joining the Scavenger Hunt, you may wish to spend a week brushing up on your language skills on one of our Spanish language programs. After two weeks of heart-pumping adventure, consider slowing the pace down a notch and joining the Turtle Conservation Project, where you'll become part of a rewarding environmental service project. Or check out Panama's Caribbean Coast on the Kuna Culture and Caribbean Paradise program. This program also connects easily with our other great programs in Costa Rica.

Highlights

RACE around Costa Rica on an epic scavenger hunt adventure that will benefit a Costa Rican community.

TRAVEL across Northern Costa Rica and down the Caribbean Coast, immersing yourself in the local culture as you take part in wild adventures and competitions.

RAPPEL, surf, swim, sea kayak, raft, and bungee jump (optional) as you explore Costa Rica's spectacular landscapes.

COMPETE as a team in a series of wild and exciting challenges in order to earn money for your group's service project.

IMMERSE yourself in Tico culture through a series of fun challenges, including a Gallo Pinto cook-off, a traditional dance competition.

Travel Types

• Eco Tours
• Hiking
• Kayaking (River)
• Rafting
• Sailing
• Surfing

Qualifications

Students must be 14-years old and up to participate on the program. Additionally, participants must submit an application through the Rustic Pathways website and complete the appropriate documents before traveling on the program.

Type of Programs

• Adventure Travel
• Community Service / Volunteerism
• Student Tours

Languages

• English
• Spanish

Cost in US$:

3,295 + International Airfare

Cost Includes:

• Excursions
• Food
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Travel while in host country
• Written materials abroad
• Written materials pre-departure

Program Fees Include:

The above cost includes all ground transportation in-country, 3 meals a day, housing, staff through the duration of the program, all supplies for the volunteer projects and all excursions on the program itinerary not listed as optional.

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

• Community Development
• Conservation
• Marine Conservation
• Volunteering

Age Range

14 years old and up

This Program is open to

American, Asian, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi, South African and Worldwide Participants.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Other

Scholarships are Available

Rustic Pathways is providing over 100 scholarships for the 2012 season based on a mix of both need and merit. Application deadline is every year in early Spring. Please contact us for more details on applying for a scholarship and other financial aid options.

Application Process Involves

• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Typically The Application Process Time is

1-2 business days

Rustic Pathways's Mission Statement

Rustic Pathways is a pioneer in providing superior quality travel and service programs for students and families in some of the world's most welcoming countries. Rustic Pathways demands professionalism and integrity across all of its operations, insists on quality in all aspects of its programs, and places the safety of its students above all other considerations. We enrich the lives of our students and our staff, benefit the parts of the world we serve, and build cultural bridges that lead to greater global understanding and cooperation.

Year Founded

1983