Description

Weekday Service
Each week day you head off into the surrounding communities for a full day of meaningful service. There are four core projects that run out of The Base and each will give you a different perspective on life in Costa Rica.

Community Improvement Projects
English Through Recreation
Cultural Exchange
Green Initiatives

You will continue to work with the same small service group every day, and each group will participate in two or more of the projects. Whether helping out with an eco-service initiative or teaching English in a local school, you will make an impact on the community, have a chance to practice your Spanish, and make tons of new Tico friends.

Weekend Adventure

You'll work hard during the week, but weekends will be reserved for enjoying Costa Rica's abundance of adventure activities. These optional activities may include zip lining through the jungle canopy, horseback riding, kayaking across breathtaking Lake Arenal, going on one of Costa Rica's many amazing hikes, or whitewater rafting on class III-IV rapids. Weekends may also entail a trip to the town of La Fortuna for shopping, a trip to a gorgeous waterfall, or a game of pick-up soccer. After these action-packed days, you can relax in a hammock, enjoy dinner with friends, play games at the Base House, or take a trip to the hot springs. The Base will also host a popular Latin dance party that includes karaoke on the weekends.

Highlights

LIVE in our comfortable base house surrounded by rainforest and swim in the sparkling pool, join a game of soccer, or hang out by the tranquil ponds.

WORK on rewarding, small-scale construction projects alongside people who truly need and appreciate your efforts.

PLAY with local school children as you teach English through recreation and supplement their day with an intercultural exchange (subject to school vacations and closings).

RELAX in natural hot springs, and on clear nights, possibly watch as bright lava flows down the side of an active volcano.

ZIP LINE over the rainforest canopy, horseback ride, whitewater raft, and rappel down waterfalls (all optional activities).

MAKE lifelong friends and share rewarding experiences while you live, laugh and work at The Volcano and Rainforest Base.

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

• Community Service / Volunteerism

Languages

• English
• Spanish

Cost in US$:

USD 1,495+ 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

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