Outward Bound Costa Rica

Outward Bound Costa will without a doubt be one of the most challenging things you will ever do but you will meet the most amazing people and achieve things that felt unachievable. My favourite thing about OBCR was the people I met, not only did I make some great friends in my group but also the local people we met along the way who made it so special. It could be laughing with Kenneth an instructor, listening to Santiago tell you about the man who fought off a Puma, Swimming with Jefferey the Kayaker, Holding Goat Man Ricks new baby goat, talking to the hosts at the home-stays or making burritos with Samuel the chef, there are always people with something to teach you or tell you. I went on the trek course and there is no denying that it is challenging, I would advise being in reasonable shape because it will make it easier but whatever your fitness level you will complete it. It's one of those things you wish you had a choice about in the moment but afterwards your glad you didn't because you know you would have backed out. As hard as the mornings of hiking were the afternoons in the tarp are some of my funniest memories. When I refer to the tarp I mean the two massive pieces of tarpaulin that form a group tent during the trek. Sleeping packed in like sardines is a great ice-breaker and I learnt more new card games than I thought existed. I think you should go on outward bound just to experience the feeling of joy you get when a comfort that you haven't had in a long time comes back. I have never had a shower as good as the one I took at the first homestay, the water was freezing and I had limited toiletries but it felt amazing. Even walking without the weight of a backpack is a joy on trek. I cannot explain to you the excitement and anticipation about getting our suitcases back when we got back to base which had our clean clothes in. The weirdest experience from trek was definitely the third day. It started off great, the views were spectacular, there was a lot less uphill than yesterday, it was all looking good. Then the rain came. I cannot put into words how wet we all were, jogging down paths that had turned to rivers, wading through mud, giving up on rain jackets (they made no difference by that point), hoping desperately to reach the promised campsite. When we'd eventually set up camp (the rain was still going) we call crawled into the tarp, stripped off our wet clothes and just sat there for about half an hour. No one new what to do, everything was soaked, but I remember just laughing hysterically with some others from the group just trying to process the absurdity of the situation. After that we could all confidently say, it doesn't get any worse. While this may sound like a negative thing outward bound will push you to breaking point, but after that you will feel like you can literally do anything and that is the best feeling in the world. (Don't worry we also had relaxing beach days and fun activities like zip-lining it's not all pain.) Highly recommend!

My Outward Bound experience in Costa Rica was a little different. I was originally signed up to go on a course with other adults or college students for a week. Unfortunately, not too many people had signed up or other things had occurred. Fortunately, I was still able to attend the course and was able to travel with two groups. I traveled first with Girl Scouts and another group that was around the same age (most were between 13-16 years of age). I didn't spend too much time in Costa Rica, but for the brief moments I did it was beautiful. I was able to do zip-lining through the forest and even went into the city. But the real highlight of my travel was going to Panama and working with locals on the sea turtle conservation efforts. Not only was it cool seeing baby sea turtles hatch, but I was glad we were helping to increase the survival rate of two endangered species of sea turtles. I think if anyone has a chance to travel to Costa Rica or even Panama they should definitely take it. As for the Outward Bound Program hands down one of the best programs that I have taken part in. Prior to Costa Rica I had travelled some years back to the one in Colorado which inspired me later to do this program. Needless to say I liked the program so much that I'm doing a gap year course this coming spring in Costa Rica. Traveling to Costa Rica and Panama is a must but if you really want to make it work your while I definitely would look into the Outward Bound Program. Wherever you end up finding yourselves at I hope you have an awesome time!

The second week was learning to scuba dive in panama. The home stay portion of the trip was wonderful, and the fellow participants were good companions. However, the scuba instruction was very poor, it was basically non-existent and hence dangerous. Among my group there were luckily a few participants that already knew how to scuba so they helped teach me and the other person that had never done it before. The actual instructor/guide was neglectful and did not show us or explain to us how to properly use equipment. This would not be a major issue if scuba diving were not a risky activity - it is very important that one understands what they are doing and why for their own and others safety. I strongly recommend this course be reviewed before sending inexperienced participants.

The first week of hiking in the rainforest in Costa Rica was really fun and I grew a lot. However, we never got to repel down an 80 foot waterfall as described. This was a little disappointing. Overall though I would highly recommend this experience. I met great people, learned a lot about myself, and feel invigorated and motivated after completing it.

I did a summer course at OBCR (tropical trek) and it was a culturally enriching experience. I was able to practice my Spanish speaking skills with my instructors and have a blast with my coursemates. The hikes were physically grueling and I would advise being physically able to handle uphills and downhills with a heavy pack. The course itinerary was great and had a healthy mix of cool activities with educational ones. I recommend!!

This program was not as advertised. Awful living conditions with termites, cockroaches, no running water at all, lack of medical services. Released one turtle, watched matinees get fed, collected garbage. Did not work on playground. Did not do shipwreck dive. Did not go to Nicaragua. Did not go to Sloth Island. Group got food poisoning. Daughter fell when shoved by another person during hiking between protests and was not given medical treatment for open cuts on leg. Found green bugs crawling in it, eating her flesh, and came home with infected open sores on leg and face. Girl who was supposed to meet at airport was not there when she arrived. Had phone taken away and had no means to take photos. Very little pictures taken of her to remember or share her experience with others.

This trip has made me a better person. It makes you go out of your comfort zone in ways you didn’t know you could and now I know I can do more fun things like this in the future. You meet so many new people, you learn about so many new things and you try amazing stuff!

This was an amazing experience. I had a lot of fun. Our guides were really great, and I made so many wonderful new friends. I especially loved the waterfall rappelling and zip lining. I would go again in a heartbeat!

Despite the mismanagement of the program by staff, my daughter was still able to have a good trip. First, the packing list was full of mistakes causing us to buy things (like mosquito netting $50, etc) that she was told not to take when she left base. Packing list told us to send more things than were ever used: clothing and supplies. I'm told the packing list was for 3 different programs and thus many things not necessary for our program -- is it really too hard for you to have 1 accurate packing list for each program and to send us only the packing list for our program. Do you think we all have bottomless buckets of money to buy supplies that weren't needed? My daughter spent most of the trip hungry. When she asked for food, she was told by staff, "you're not going to die." Really -- rather than get her food, they told her she wouldn't die from not eating. This is totally inappropriate. They would not allow her to buy food, and did not provide snacks or full meals throughout the trip. She lost 4 pounds and now weighs only 88 lbs. She came back with diarrhea from dirty water (which everyone drank) and a knee injury called patellofemoral pain syndrome, which occurred on the second day of backpacking and grew worse throughout the trip. No one offered her any medical care other than advil when she complained of pain. Whitewater rafting: no one's helmets fit properly -- is there a reason you couldn't ensure that the girls had properly fitting helmets before embarking on a rafting trip. You're lucky there wasn't a head injury. These are only a few examples of the poor way the staff managed this program. The carelessness of the staff is truly shocking to me and totally unacceptable. I would not recommend this trip to anyone unless the staff gets trained on medical awareness, safety, the importance of eating, and common sense leadership.

I had the opportunity to explore the great outdoors in a totally foreign country with people I had never met. I made life long friends and had a wonderful in nature. Being with no one I knew in the past gave me the ability to truly reflect on my life and who I’ve become. After this 2 week course, I can say that I have changed for the better and I will never look at life the same again. Thank for this amazing experience!

On the Outdoor Leadership Semester, I learned so much about myself, overcame my fear of water (and others), and gained practical experience with group dynamics/leadership. As I am integrating this experience, I am noticing that I feel more confident, motivation to pursue outdoor education, and a calling to follow my heart into adventures in my hometown (rock climbing, surfing). Thank you to all of the instructors who assisted me in my 65 day transformation.

Traveling to Costa Rica was the first time I had been abroad since the pandemic began. The combination of physically challenging days punctuated by the thrills of activities, the joy of acquiring new knowledge and the entertainment of building a close knit community of people along the way was the perfect set of experiences to get me into interacting with the wider world and new people.

Great personal growth experience. Loved the staff and the group of kids. created lasting bonds. would love to come back again or even lead a trip in the future. came out more self aware and ready to take on school

A mother writing here....our daughter called and asked to stay for the one-week surf extension, following the two-week scuba course. This is her second time returning, and would be third if we didn't experience the pandemic. I can't say enough for the amazing communication offered by the enrollment manager, Brynna. I felt at-ease knowing our daughter was in great care, and I couldn't wait for the email and photo updates each week! Outstanding. I hope she goes back again next year.

It was a wonderful experience! I enjoyed the people and activities -especially scuba diving. I am happy that I received my Advanced scuba certification. Seeing the sloths and manatees was amazing; I wish we could have seen the sea turtles.

Learning new things about the culture of Costa Rica, myself, the importance of nature, and wildlife. I learned about the typical breakfast in Costa Rica, for example, Pico de gallo, plantains, etc. were just a few examples of the great foods to experience. I learned a lot of new things about myself, and ways that I can improve to better impact the people around me. I’m so glad I got to experience this. Karina and Henry are amazing!

I absolutely loved this course! I have never bonded with people as fast or closely as I did with other people the way I did with the amazing people I got to meet on this trip! I had challenges and experiences I never could have imagined and I am so grateful for every single part of this trip. The amount of reflection we did as a group made us really trust each other and find out a lot of people struggled with the same things in life so we were able to bond over that and grow together. I realized the person I truly want to be for myself and for others, I came home 10X more confident than I have ever been and knowing what true happiness is. It's feeling like your legs are going to fall off as you're walking up your tenth hill and it is pouring rain on you and all your things but you are so grateful to be there with the people you have, you are grateful for the strength you feel after pushing up those hills and you are even grateful for the rain as you all dance and laugh together while you're soaking wet! It's meeting host families and sharing laughs even through a language barrier, it's realizing we are all people living on earth, and there is so much beauty in the people and the environment around us that even the worst times make you smile because you feel so blessed to be where you are with the people you have.

I had the best experience of my life so far ! Everything was Amazing ! I have made friends that I continue to stay in touch with ! My scuba experience started off rocky but I’m glad I stuck with it. This experience helped me realize how important it is to explore new things because there’s so much to learn. I now appreciate the simple things like a hot shower !

I learned a lot during my time at Outward Bound. The living conditions were challenging , but having a group of people that you live and bond with for 2 weeks helps you get through the challenges. The instructors on my 2 programs were great and know how to interact with teenagers - they really made a big difference for me.

My Outward Bound Costa Rica trip was such a blast! The other girls in my group were the kindest and most amazing people I have ever met, and I know that we have formed bounds that will last well beyond our trip has ended! I feel like I have known the girls in my group since kindergarten even though we were complete strangers before meeting at the Outward Bound base in Costa Rica. I loved this trip because it pushed me to take risks and become a more adventurous leader and traveler. I got to go cave jumping in pitch darkness (it was so exhilarating), scuba diving in the coral reefs and in a real shipwreck, release sea turtles into the ocean as part of a sea turtle conservation project, and learned how to wake board and knee board. Everywhere I looked was natural beauty and wonders, and this trip made me feel closer both to the other girls, but to my myself and the environment. I would recommend this trip to anyone who is willing to get dirty, take risks, and grow! I am so thankful for my experience and would totally go again if I had the chance! :)

All of the activities were incredibly fun and once-in-a-lifetime type experiences that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. The instructors were great and I learned a lot about myself, other cultures, and the natural world. The only complaint I had about the entire trip was the housing situation during the scuba portion of Panama which was a bit of a shock to me and my fellow students even going into it knowing that we wouldn’t have some of the comforts of home that were were used to. I wish they had been more upfront about that. However, we only stayed in that house for a few days, and the rainforest base in Costa Rica was nice. Overall, it was an amazing trip and I’m glad I went!

My daughter recently attended the Scuba, Sea Turtle, Service & Sloths program with Outward Bound Costa Rica, and you can read her own glowing review, but I wanted to offer a parent perspective. To provide a little context, my daughter attended during the summer of 2021, when she and others had been vaccinated but when travel was still a concern and families (ours, at least) were still reluctant to "open up" and let our kids participate in programs like this one. OBCR was INCREDIBLE, patiently and promptly answering all of my emailed queries, spending time with me on the phone to talk through my many questions about COVID protocols and safety measures, and hosting multiple live Zoom meetings for parents and participants to walk through the itinerary and answer any and all questions, for as long as it took. In the end, OBCR addressed our fears and concerns (thank you, Brynna!), and my daughter spent two transformative weeks with the incredible instructors and staff in Costa Rica and Panama. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

This trip got our group to bond and get to know each other better. The weather was good and the food was amazing. The activities also helped us find our strengths/strong points as a group. I would definitely go on another trip with Outward Bound Costa Rica.

In just ten quick days, I learned more about Costa Rica, scuba diving, surfing, myself, and those around me than I could've imagined. Our instructor, Bailey, was extremely knowledgable, caring, and a fantastic leader for our group. The communication between the staff and our group members before & throughout the trip was terrific. Even during a pandemic, our group was able to complete all of the activities that we were promised, while having the time of our lives getting to know both each other, and the beautiful country of Costa Rica. There was never a dull moment on this trip, and was an experience that I will never forget. ¡Pura Vida!

I loved my trip to Costa Rica. I met 10 amazing people, had a ton of fun, and learned to surf. Prior to the trip, the communication was superb. They gave you all the necessary information so you packed all the appropriate items to ensure a successful trip. The activities really helped with confidence and team building. I initially was skeptical about surfing but that ended up being my favorite activity. Bailey was a great instructor and made the trip even more enjoyable with her guidance and leadership.

It was a great adventure and I made so many friends during it. The instructors were amazing and I learned so much about Costa Rican culture. I loved being able to become SCUBA certified, and the different activities we did each day were so interesting.

I loved my trip to Costa Rica. I met 10 amazing people, had a ton of fun, and learned to surf. Prior to the trip, the communication was superb. They gave you all the necessary information so you packed all the appropriate items to ensure a successful trip. The activities really helped with confidence and team building. I initially was skeptical about surfing but that ended up being my favorite activity. Bailey was a great instructor and made the trip even more enjoyable with her guidance and leadership.

My experience at Outward Bound Costa Rica was one of the best experiences of my life. When your submerged in the program you learn so much about yourself through your personal strength. You can conquer new fears, learn new languages, and try some of the best Costa Rican cuisine. If you love adventure, making some of the strongest connections and learning about new cultures this is defiantly the program for you.

I saved up for a few years selling GS cookies to go on this trip and chose Panama for the opportunity to practice my Spanish with native speakers, learn some new things and gain independence in traveling. The sea turtle conservation work I did was a bit sandy but it was really fulfilling and particularly fun due to the adorable baby turtles. It was really nice to meet a group of girls my age from all over the US, it was interesting to hear their stories from all the way across the country. The instructors were very accommodating and supportive. Meeting with kids in Bocas Del Toro was really eye-opening and I even picked up their accent a bit! I scuba dived for the first time and overall I had a remarkable time!!

My trip with Outward Bound Costa Rica was one of the best experiences of my life so far, and it's amazing that these opportunities to travel exist for someone only 14 years old. The staff were all wonderful and helped me and the other girls adjust very well. I stayed at a beautiful island in Panama and learned how to scuba dive with a very knowledgeable teacher who always made me feel safe, even sixty feet below the surface! I got to see starfish, sea urchins, jellyfish, and all kinds of beautiful coral and wildlife. We even did a night dive and the bioluminescence under the water was beautiful. We also went to the beach nearby, and I love swimming, especially in the ocean, so seeing the beautiful blue waters and white sand was a dream come true. We did lots of rewarding service work, like reading and playing with kids at the school nearby, and picking up trash around the island. Even though I don't speak a lot of Spanish, I was able to communicate with the kids and I had a lot of fun. Then we stayed at another island in Costa Rica where we worked with conservation of sea turtles and manatees. One of my favorite parts of the trip was releasing the baby sea turtles and watching them push their way into the ocean. They were all so tiny and cute! We also got to see some adorable manatees feeding on plantain leaves. I was amazed by the amount of wildlife that was around me that I never got to see back home. We finished at Outward Bound's Rainforest Basecamp in Costa Rica. I had never see plants with leaves that were so big and green in my life! The mist that settled just atop the valley was especially beautiful. We got to work with baby goats on a farm nearby. The food throughout the whole trip was delicious, and I learned how to make many traditional Costa Rican foods that I was excited to share with my family once I got home. At the end of the trip, I didn't want to go home, even though I missed my family. I didn't even want to look at my phone again because I didn't want to ruin the magic of the beautiful ecosystems that I had been immersed in for the past two weeks. I also didn't want to leave all of my new friends. I didn't know anyone before I went, and I had only spent a short amount of time with them, but they were all amazing people and we became very close over the duration of our adventure together. Our instructors did a lot of activities with us that forced us to really get to know each other, and explore who we were becoming as young adults. Overall, I feel like I learned so many valuable lessons about other cultures and people, but I also learned a lot about myself. I learned that I am brave enough to hike through a bat cave with water that sometimes was too deep to stand in. I learned that I can make friends and be myself around people, even if I don't know them well. I learned that I am independent and can go on adventures without my family. I am so thankful to Outward Bound Costa Rica for giving me the opportunity to make friends from all over the world and experience things that I will remember forever.

I chose Outward Bound Costa Rica because of the unique cultural experiences they offered, as well as the variety of adventure activities. The most meaningful part of my course was doing service work in Nicaragua and playing with the kids. The service was fulfilling and working with the community around and having interactions was awesome. Through my OBCR experience, I learned that I am strong and capable of flourishing on my own away from home and I have a huge passion for travel.

I learned that I don't need or want my phone 80% of the time, that I need to appreciate the small things so much more, and that I overthink and stress out way too much. And surfing lessons were amazing! It was so much fun to learn and it felt so good to catch a wave. Our instructor Bailey really engaged us in learning about the culture, learning how to surf, etc. She always had her head in the game, basically knew everything about everything, and always made sure everyone was included.

I had been to Costa Rica before and loved the area, so I chose to return with OBCR because I wanted to learn to scuba drive, work on my spanish, and help the sea turtles. The connection I made with my group, meeting all the local kids, and releasing the baby sea turtles were amazing. I definitely learned how self-sufficient I can be, improved my organization skills, and learned how to thrive outside my comfort zone. I also thought the staff was amazing at always emailing back, having a detailed packing list, and really getting me excited and feeling welcomed before I even came.

The beach, surfing, waterfalls, city walks, shopping, cultural experiences - it's a mix of everything. I learned that I love trying new things and experiencing things outside my comfort zone.

I loved learning to scuba dive because it's a skill I will be able to use for the rest of my life. Through this experience, I also learned that I really enjoy meeting new people.

The service and cultural immersion taught me so much about how other people live and the impact you can have on people and nature. It taught me not to take things for granted. I also learned how I function with a group.

I came to Costa Rica because I wanted to try something new, and scuba diving was definitely one of the best things I’ve ever done in my life. We had the best instructors I could ask for, and I learned that I should be more grateful for the little things at home.

The relationships with my coursemates and instructors were incredible. I never thought that I would know all of these people like I do now. They are true friends because we went through thick and thin in the past two weeks. I wouldn’t change a thing — my course was awesome. I learned that if I try to see the positive in things, it will lift up the group and myself.

The most meaningful part for me was just living in Costa Rica because it taught me about maturity and responsibility. OBCR really makes you grow. Being on the course required me to push myself, but also gave me so many experiences and allowed me to learn a lot about Costa Rica and its culture. This trip helped me experience life more.

I learned about a country and myself and had a great time doing it. The homestays allowed me to experience a new culture and new lifestyle. Outward Bound Costa Rica is an experience where you have to leave your comfort zone. Once you do, you’ll have a great time.

OBCR represents discovery on the most interpersonal levels. As a classroom teacher, this lies at the core of my educational philosophy. In Costa Rica, I learned that when I am faced with what seems like an insurmountable challenge (like rappelling down a waterfall), that I can confront it and overcome it. I also learned about the amazing level of biodiversity, rich cultural and geography history, and the beloved motto ‘Pura Vida’! I was grateful to wake up each day on course knowing that we were in the hands of competent, qualified, extremely well-trained OBCR instructors, and that we would be empowered to face obstacles and challenges with full self-confidence. This cannot be emphasized enough.

This experience is a mental and physical challenge that pushes your comfort zone in the best way. You get to travel to a new and exciting environment. The best part is all the food and the people you meet while enjoying it.

The most meaningful part of the course was seeing the sea turtles lay their eggs and helping clean the beach so they had a safe environment to lay eggs and get to the ocean. I learned that I can do way more if I have a positive mindset and I can face my fears.

On our trip, I got to learn new things about sea turtles and see the laying of the eggs from start to finish. Ziplining was also a hugely meaningful part of my trip. It pushed my limits and made me face my fears. I learned that I can do anything I put my mind to.

Seeing an entire group of turtles laying eggs was crazy — a once in a lifetime experience. Our instructors were fun to talk to, friendly, trustworthy, always knew what to do, and took very good care of our group.

Outward Bound’s philosophy is very similar to my own. I really appreciated that our course not only showed us the beauty of Costa Rica, but also encouraged all of us to reflect and grow as individuals and as a team! In my opinion, our course was exactly how it was supposed to be. We had some challenges at first getting used to the heat and humidity, but being uncomfortable is a way to make individuals stronger — it’s not always a bad thing. This was our custom course and I enjoyed every single experience!

The people we met along the way — whether it was other groups, instructors, or the people running service projects — each went out of their way to make the experience special. I learned I can do a lot more than I think I can, and that I can understand a lot more Spanish than I thought I could.

It was the greatest final trip before college my Girl Scout troop and I could have asked for. I got to do a lot of fun, new things with my troop. I learned that I really enjoy doing outdoor activities that push me out of my comfort zone, and that I’m more confident than I thought.

The most meaningful part of my course was spending time with my troop, since this was our last trip before college. I’m also leaving with a new love of travel and Spanish, and I greatly desire to continue taking Spanish in college.

I’d always wanted to visit Costa Rica, and the program looked thrilling and adventurous. I was right. I learned that I can try new things and will not only survive, but grow from each experience. The friends I made were so meaningful, and watching them grow throughout the course was amazing. We really became a family and it was incredible to see them learn about themselves.

The connections I made were amazing. One night all of us talked for a while, and that really brought us closer. I feel like I’ve known these girls forever. Everything about this trip was perfect — I felt like I was super prepared for course, and I learned how independent I can be.

I chose this course because I’m exploring a career in Marine Biology and because I’ve always wanted to get scuba certified. Because of my interests, releasing the sea turtles was so meaningful. I learned a lot through my experience, and I had a chance to reflect on how I want to live my daily life going forward.

The most meaningful thing was getting my scuba certification, because I’m going to be able to use that for the rest of my life. I learned a lot about myself, like that I can do a lot more than I thought I could — especially scuba and ziplining. Everything about this course was good.

Helping the environment, surfing, and making friendships that will last forever will be my best memories from Costa Rica. I’m also leaving knowing that I’m able to be put in uncomfortable positions and grow from them.

I chose OBCR because I had so many friends who enjoyed their trips and recommended it to me. The most meaningful part was being able to see new cultures in a fun and hands-on way and being able to meet new people. I also learned more about how I work and talk with others.

All the connections I made we so meaningful because no matter what we were doing, we were working together. Honestly I wouldn’t change anything. It was a really great experience. I learned a lot about myself. I can’t put it into words.

I felt like I was really making a difference, standing on the beach and watching the baby turtles crawl to the sea. I felt like our spirits clicked. I wouldn’t change anything. Due to political complications in Costa Rica, our plans changed often. I never felt like I was missing out — we were just adapting. I felt well prepared for this trip, and I learned the importance of self-love, respect, and understanding.

OBCR offers activities that no other program offers. It was so meaningful to interact with the kids in Talamanca and see a new perspective of an indigenous community. I learned that I can make a sustainable impact in the world while having a lot of fun.

We were exposed to different cultures, communities, and activities and it helped us appreciate what we have. I wouldn’t change anything — the trip was amazing. I learned I could lead in different ways and it showed me what a team looks like and how it should function.

It's such a unique opportunity to authentically experience such a beautiful country, it was the challenge and thrill of a lifetime. I learned that I'm capable of so much more than I had imagined and my love for the outdoor education grew even more.

It was extraordinary. The most eye opening experience in my life. The best memory was the children in Bocas del Toro and getting my scuba certificate. I enjoyed the night dive the most. Never have I experienced something like this before, very surreal.

This trip will change your perspective on life in a great way. Before I started this course, I became a somewhat materialistic person but after I've changed my ways on things and I'm more appreciative. Jim had a huge impact on my experience through the course because he pushed me to test my limits in wave branding and scuba. The strengths of Outward Bound Costa Rica is creating friendships with the group activities. It developed team work. I enjoyed meeting new people and bonding while doing the activities.

It was a great opportunity to explore and learn in a new country. It was really awesome to experience life with the ocean, as that's something I don't have at home. I enjoyed learning about not only how to surf, but experiencing the surfing lifestyle. Costa Rica is very green, and there are a ton of crazy wildlife. Stingrays, jellyfish, macaws - it was cool to see them all in person.

It's an amazing opportunity to learn more about the World, and grow as a person. Doing the service projects in Nicaragua - it was amazing to see just how much the kids and the school teachers appreciated something as simple as a mural. OBCR will push you to your limits, physically and mentally, while being the experience of a lifetime.

I had an amazing time and learned all about these great cultures. I enjoyed spending time with the kids and teaching them CPR. I knew that it meant a lot to them because they were really listening to us and the CPR they learned could save lives one day. All the work we did improved the community, it was awesome to see how grateful they were. We had super good inventive meals and we all cooked well. The instructors did a great job making sure everyday was always safe.

It has be an opportunity to mentally re-center myself and put priorities into perspective. I'm much more mentally strong in physically stressful and challenging situations than I thought. The hike was insanely hard but pushing through each day and being able to think back to each challenge I overcame was very gratifying. i think pushing yourself out of your comfort zone and finding new things to enjoy are so important when it comes to living life and growing as a person and OBCR has helped me do that.

Our instructors were so knowledgeable and made sure we learned as much as possible. They were great, inspiring people. It was an adventure that tested my limits and allowed me to expand my comfort zone in a way that has made me learn more about myself and my capabilities.

Outward Bound Costa Rica helps you find yourself, what you're capable of and how pushing yourself outside your comfort zone will benefit you and create an open mind. I learnt that I am capable of more than I think. It's about having a positive mindset and throwing out the negative.

I believe that whether you are an adventurous person or not anyone should do an OBCR course because it really allows you to see what you are capable of doing. I learned so much about the wildlife of Panama, especially during the scuba portion of the course. This meant a lot to me because I am very passionate about marine animals.

It has exceeded my expectations. All of the teaching has been much more in depth than i tohught it would be and each course has gone into much more detail than I thought. The WFR has been most beneficial because it gave me the confidence to go out into the wilderness and if something goes wrong I can depend on myself to help. I've learned a TON about backcountry safety, swift water, and ropes. I've also learned how I work with different teams with different levels of understanding and personalities.

The Wilderness First Responder course and lifeguarding phases hae been very useful because both courses focus on life saving and it is beneficial for everyday use. WFR especially because there is more to know than just life saving. I hope to accomplish every certification that this school has to offer and to go back home with a better understanding with what I want to do with my life.

I didn't know exactly what to expect coming into the course, but so far it has been an amazing experience. I have learned a lot of skills so far through our phases. I have learned about myself that there's more in me than I give myself credit for. The river phase so far has been the most useful for me so far because it taught me a lot.

Outwar Bound Costa Rica met all my expectations and more. It was both challenging and beautiful. The food was amazing but I think the best part was the wreck diving. I was full of life and it was a cool photo/filming opportunity. A steep learning curve, but worth it.

The experience on my trip taught me about caring for others, when given jobs working as a team, and to live in the moment. The most meaningful part of my course was when we finally reached the top of the mile long mountain and looked down because it showed that all the hard work was worth it. Helping others with less makes me feel so great and encourages me to do more of it. It's nice to know that people that aren't from your community care about you. I would recommend Outward Bound because I think that sometimes my family spends too much time on electronics.

My experience was exhilarating, exhausting, and worth every last minute. I learned that I definitely like to travel and explore new cultures and activities. The most meaningful part of my course was visiting the local school and seeing the smiles on the children's faces despite any hardships they faced, as well as being able to share smiles and laughter while speaking different languages. I learned about how Panamanians grow up, go to work, travel, dress, and interact with each other. It was a great experience where I got to meet a lot of wonderful people and try new things, while understanding a new culture, and I think everyone should experience that.

I loved the area for teaching lifeguarding. Much nicer than being in a pool. The escape drill we did was great as well. All of the cultural knowledge that Jim would talk about, and of course the diving in the area was incredible. I loved Jim's enthusiasm to teach and to listen and learn from us as well. A great overall instructor. Gretchen was incredible and knew how to fit in to our group and when to take charge and when to step back and let us take charge. Both incredible people!

My experience in Panama was a once in a lifetime event. The scuba phase was awesome. It had a great balance of down time and activity. I loved the night dive. It was something I've never experienced before. It was one of the coolest things I've ever done in my life and I'm glad every diver on course was offered the same opportunity. Gretchan was an amazing instructor, both on a personal and professional level. She maintained an instructor position while treating us all like adults.

This experience was very rewarding since it pushed me to the edge and gave me a new prospective on life. I enjoyed scuba diving and wake boarding since I've never done them before. We were pushed and able to grow individually and as a group. My best memory was bonding with the group.

It was wet and sometimes cold but all in all I would do it again. I learned to laugh again. I learned to just let go and be free for a while. That it was ok to smile and that even if things were bad, they could be so much worse. So I learned to be myself truly and embrace the fullness of where I was in that very moment. My favourite parts were being able to experience the culture in the home stays. This gave me the chance to truly see the country for what it is and all the values the inhabitants hold.

It surprised me that I would love the activies as much as I did. I realised my love of water. My whole life I've been afraid of and avoided playing in the water. Thanks to this course, I now know that I was born to it. I learned that I am a strong leader capable of overcoming himself to achieve goals.

I believe OBCR is great for everyone because it gets you out of your comfort zone and allows you to experience authentic cultural things. The indigenious communities way of life was so interesting to learn about and also the sea turtle efforts. When bad weather occured, Molly and Andrew explained what to do if it got worse and they always kept us in safe situations.

The hike was absolutely amazing. I learned about myself physically and mentally. I experienced ways of life I've wanted for a while now. I learned outside of a classroom and felt more enjoyment for an extended time than I have in a long time. It has helped me to focus some of my life goals while still showing me my future is wide open.

Sometimes you have to go to a foreign country to find whats holding you back in life. I had a ton of fun, learned about a foreign culture, much improved my Spanish, and learned about myself and how I operate, all things that I hoped to get out of this course.

I can't be more happy for the instructors that I got for my first time being in Costa Rica / Panama. All of them teach me lessons for life and how to get my patience to another level. I did surfing before but for 3 days, and thanks to my instructors I know how to do it better, same as rafting. Most important to me was meeting such amazing people.

My experience was extremely eye-opening of the World and revealing of my own passions for my life. I have learned to give whatever you're doing/am passionate about, 100% of your effort. I have totally noticed a change in my outlook on life. On my solo, I had time to reflect and I realised I am so much more appreciative of life's opportunities, compassionate for people, and more likely to be active. I now expect much more from myself because I know how capable I am now.

I've noticed that my leadership skills have definitely gotten a lot stronger by having to be cacique and deal with different personalities. I have also become more confident in my ability to do whatever I put my mind to. I was suprised at how fast everything went by and I was also suprised at how mentally strong I have become. I have learnt that in life you will come across hard time but you will always come out the other side a changed person. These have been some of my the best 3 months of my life.

Outward Bound Costa Rica has openeed my eyes to a strength and confidence in my own abilities that I may never gained. Spending the past few weeks becoming healthier and pushing my physical limits really made me realize what i'm capable of and has restored a lot of my self confidence. Getting active again and living a healthy lifestyle has pushed me to believe in my own abilities for when I go home and motivated me to be successful. All of the hike meant a lot to me. This experience has made me so much more self-reliant and confident.

OBCR was a challenger that I really needed. It has been great for meeting friends and being out of our comfort zones. I learned that it's ok to take them time I need for myself to re-evaluate where i'm at in life. The most meaninguful part has been seeing myself change and try to change bad habits.

I really enjoyed getting to know the instructors more personally. As for the activities, I had a lot of fun doing the waterfall rappel. A very eye opening experience in terms of experiencing culture and learning to respect and understand people who are different. I learnt how people live different lives and believe different things but we all have similarities.

My favorite part of this course was the ending. It is bittersweet to know that it has come to an end, but now is the time that I look back on how much I have changed and also bonded with my troop/guides. This course changed me. in our generation, it is very common that we don't look around and explore. This course gave me the opportunity to experience challenges, accomplishments and pure joy in life.

I'd been planning for this trip for many years and everything in Costa Rica was even better and more exciting than I imagined. I always felt safe, but I was out of my comfort zone almost always. Even when it was hard, we had fun and got to see so many different parts of the country, We learned so much, saw so many new things, pushed ourselves, and got so much closer.

Outward Bound is really great for people mentally and physically. It is very healthy and life-changing. I learned that I could do anything if I just push myself more than usual. It has changed my outlook on life and people and I overcame my fear of heights.

made new friends and had meaningful encounters with the locals all while experiencing a mutlitude of new activites and lifestyles. Doing service in an indigenous village and getting to experience life as they do was englightening and inspiring. It made me realise how little is truly needed to get by and be happy. Less = more - having less builds more meaningful relationships and experiences.

It is an amazing opportunity to break out of your comfort zone and challenge yourself and learn about a completely different culture. It was a very rare and incredible experience. By stepping out of myself, I was returned to myself.

Outward Bound provided an experience full of adventure, knowledge, culture, service and great food. - it is hard to come by so much in other programs. Service presents the best opportunity to get out of your own ways and into a different culture. I deeply appreciate being in a community among the Bri Bri to enrich my own personal knowledge of the World. It was meaningful to directly see how a community benefited from my help, as they enriched my life.

I think Outward Bound is a safe way to explore a foreign country, it has really fun events as well. You become independent in some ways but Outward Bound is also about being part of a group. It was challenging and pushed me out of my comfort zone but it was amazing and fun and I will hold on to these memories forever. I learned that I really enjoy travelling and challenging myself. I definitely want to see more of the World in the future.

It was so nice to have efficient leaders while on course. I also really enjoyed how Outward Bound allowed us to experience the culture while still providing some sense of normality. I learned that I need to step out of my comfort zone sometimes in order to live life to the fullest aswell as being more mindful of others. Also not all spiders are dangerous!

The kids learning to be responsible for the themselves and to support each other - I'm really motivated to get back to rock climbing when I get home. I loved all the rappelling. I'm also excited to work on my Spanish more. I'm dying for my own kids to come!

It was very nicely curated. I thought it was a good mixture of luxury and roughing it - staying at the homestays. I loved the hike into Piedras Blancas. It was so special to have Mauren show us her hometown. It was such a pristine location and very challenging so the kids felt very accomplished to get there. It refreshed my love for the outdoor recreation and it rekindled my interest in outdoor education. As an elementary teacher, I have so many responsibilities that distract me from the use of outdoor education. I loved the meeting format - I feel this could be useful in the classroom.

It made me grow in a lot of different ways and I got really good experiences and met amazing people so overall I am extremely grateful for everything that happened on this trip. It is smart to do things you have never tried before because you might end up loving them and that is definitely what happens this trip. I will continue to try new things.

It was lifechanging, mindgrowing and out of your comfort zone awesome. My favorite part was releasing 88 turtles in one night. It was so cool to watch them all make it to shore. I was so happy to see them make it to the ocean.

I really loved all of the big activities like ziplining because of the adrenaline rush. I also really liked spending time with the counciler. All my expectations were high expectations and they definitely met those. I remember everything in good memories

Not only did we have beautiful dives, I learned about Panamanian culture through kids and adults alike. My favorite parts of the course were interacting with the kids because they were so cute and fun and scuba diving because I saw so many beautiful animals and the shipwreck was so cool. A new challenge that pushes you through physical/emotional struggles and beautiful new views of life.

Waveland had an amazing time. The staff she was with were very competent, caring, and encouraging! She learned so much and saw things in Costa Rica that most tourists may not experience. When she got home, we actually had over a hour of her talking and showing us pictures of the trip. It was very surprising to me and made me happy because it wasn't her typical one word anwsers or the eye roll I get when I usually ask her questions. She has talked to a lot of family and friends about her trip. Showing pictures and sharing candy/ food for us all to try. She already is talking about wanting to go back next summer. I can't say enough how special your program is and the positive impact on my daughter. It truly has inspired her to try new things. I see a confidence in her that hadn't been there before. As her parent, I'm truly grateful to Outward Bound. Please extend a big heart filled thank you to your staff and a well done job especially to Bailey, Carlos, and Ella. Warmest regards Jennifer Rushton.

Outward Bound Costa Rica's trip was much more challenging than I thought but definitely set my mental ability and physical ability much higher. This experience was beyond fun as well and most definitely worth it. My favorite part was learning about the culture in general in a really fun way. I also really enjoyed the meetings at the end because it taught me a lot about being efficient.

I would just like to say thank you for everything! My daughter had the time Of her life and it was a wonderful experience! Sending the Website posts of the girls was wonderful, too! It far exceeded our expectations. Thank you.

I think I learned a lot, about animals that we would see and I think it was really cool that everyday somebody would have to study up on a subject that had something to do with what you'd do that day. The most meaningful part of my couse was stayin at all of the homestays and experiencing what they do everyday and playing with the kids at the Lopez's house. I thought that really gave me a better perspective of different peoples lives and hav a different culture. It's a fun learning experience and helps you to live in the moment, connect with friends and check a few things off your bucket list.

Marc had an amazing time. He really enjoyed all the activities with kids in the villages, the kayaking and releasing the turtles. He said he had so much fun with the leaders and 2 other kids. The 5 of them seemed to really bond and without phones, they spent their evenings bonding and playing a lot of cards :). I think his only regret is not speaking Spanish a bit more, but other than that he loved everything. Thank you so much for such a wonderful experience for our son.

My daughter has been on 3 trips with OBC over the past 3 summers. She loves the Service courses. I cannot say enough positive things about OBC. My daughter loves everything about her experiences with them. She loves the structure of how the coarses work and also the layed back part as well. She has made friends on coarse from all over the world. She always comes home planning her next summer with OBC. They know how to take kids out of their comfort zone into meaningful tasks and opportunities. All students have shared responsibilities throughout the coarse. They help students learn their leadership style while teaching how to respect others with different leadership styles. They expect full respect of individual differences. My daughter is mature for her age, but always learns so much and grows personally every trip. She will be back for her 4th summer in 2019.

The time spent in panama was incredible. Our instructor was amazing, and all the activities we did were very fun. I do wish we had spent more time in the sea turtle aspect of the course as that was the main reason many of us went, but it was all amazing. I made true friendships I know will last and got to experience a whole new culture. It definitely changed my view on my society.

I went on this trip and now have a new outlook on many things in my life. I made some incredible friends and would do it over again. The service was helpful to the community around us in Costa Rica and we met some incredible people in Panama. Unfortunately, due to a tropical storm moving through we did not get to interact with many locals in Costa Rica and had much longer travel time because of the condition of the roads. The sentence that I used to sum up my experience was: The true way to understand is to experience. This trip made that a reality for me and I would suggest this trip to others.

3 years ago I decided to do the Costa Rica and Panama service challenge with Outward Bound. It was such an amazing experience that I decided that I needed to go again because I had loved it so much the first time and would never stop talking about it that my parents said I needed to go back too. So after fundraising with cookie sales and individual sales and the support of my troop and friend I got to go back and have another life changing experience, so different from the first but so alike at the same time. If I could, trust me, I would go back for a third time. Thanks to Outward Bound and Girl Scouts my eyes have opened up to see all the opportunities that are in front of me with hard work. So thank you Outward Bound for changing my life, twice.

I had the best time on my trip even though it was different from what I expected. This trip pushed my out of my comfort zone, and got me to try new things while having fun. I got to do service work with an indigenous population and I got to work with the sea turtles as well. Releasing baby Leatherback sea turtles was amazing, and I finally stopped screaming at every bug I saw. The instructors were patient and understanding especially when we were homesick, and I learned so much about leadership and myself. As a group of girls, we got along really well and had a lot of time on the trip to talk about our own lives and bond as a group. This trip also made me appreciate my daily luxuries such as running water (especially hot showers), air conditioning, and so much more. I was a little bit homesick on my trip, but when I returned, I missed Costa Rica, Panama, and most of all, my new friends and the instructors. This trip was truly life changing, and I would definitely go on another trip with Outward Bound.

I had an amazing time with Outward Bound Costa Rica. Everyday was a new adventure, learning new things, helping baby sea turtles, or interacting with new people. I made so many new friends. I didn't want to leave because I was having so much fun. I highly recommend Outward Bound Costa Rica to anyone because of the amazing people and the incredible experiences that await you in this wonderful place.

Our Outward Bound Costa Rica experience was amazing. The kids bonded as a group, pushed themselves and each other and grew up before my very eyes. It was amazing to to watch how much transpired each day. Mauren and Diego were amazing leaders, coaching and encouraging the kids, opening their eyes to new experiences and inspiring them to learn more. We are profoundly grateful to have had the experience!

Outward Bound Costa Rica exceeded every expectation I had for my 85 day Coast to Coast semester. The course allowed us to experience the traditional culture of 3 different countries in Central America as well as teaching us everything we needed to know to get started with a career in the outdoor education industry. From community service projects to whitewater rafting, backpacking, surfing, scuba diving and more, this course was built for anyone that wants to push themselves both physically and mentally to become a better person, and for anyone that loves adventure. I couldn't recommend this company or their instructors enough, I wish everyone could experience OBCR!

All great, except the fact that patrol 2 did not do the chicken kill. Maybe transport for evacuation a little pricey?

A life changing two week. I was able to learn that I could do anything. I was able to help an endangered species, learn new skills, and create amazing friendships and connections. I miss Costa Rica and Outward Bound so much because everyone was so friendly and kind. If you are thinking about participating in an Outward Bound course, all I can say is that biggest adventure of your life is soon upon you.

Outward Bound Costa Rica has been a major influence on my life. Through OBCR's group mindset and adventure based courses, my eyes have been opened to a bigger meaning of life and the world itself. Throughout my two OBCR courses, I have met some of my closest friends and experienced many memorable adventures. My first year with OBCR I participated in the Catching Waves course. This course allowed me to immerse myself in Costa Rican culture and learn to surf. This adventure included rafting, volunteering in the local town, eating local food(one of my favorites being Lychee fruit), flying through a Costa Rican rainforest canopy during our rope course experience, and many leadership lessons. On this course, my group and I became very close and I still remain in contact with each girl I met. My second Outward Bound course was called Scuba and Sea Turtle Adventure. The group had the opportunity to assist with sea turtle conservational work; with participating in night patrols and getting to release newly hatched baby sea turtles back into the wild. Also, I left Panama with newly acquired scuba certification. While on this course I discovered many new things pertaining to marine life and the effects humans have on its environment. With the Outward Bound experience, it is impossible to leave the same as you arrived. I have grown so much as an individual through the guidance of my instructors on my courses and the experience itself. Each and every course will leave you with different lessons about the world and about yourself. I can guarantee that a trip with Outward Bound will challenge you mentally and physically, however, it will be the most rewarding and enlightening experience you will ever be a part of.

Through Outward Bound Costa Rica, I was able to go on my Girl Scout Destination called, Scuba and Sea Turtle Adventure. I had an amazing time on the destination however there was some aspects that I wasn't expecting about my trip. I was told that I would be learning more about the coastal ecology (which we didn't learn much), and we spent less time with the turtles than expected. I am going into Zoology so I took on this destination from a more educational standpoint than most, however if you are looking for a Panamanian adventure that immerses you in the culture filled with fun activities and journeys along the way this is for you. Through my Girl Scout Destination I was able to learn more about myself and the culture I was surrounded in.

My experience with Outward Bound Costa Rica was nothing short of life changing. I cannot express in words how strongly I encourage that every Girl Scout should apply for this amazing program. It will allow you to dive into a new and exciting culture, head first. Every minute was a new and exhilarating adventure, filled with fun and important life lessons. This course provided me with opportunities that I could receive no where else. Some of the amazing opportunities I was presented with were releasing baby sea turtles into the ocean, doing a home stay in a small indigenous community in Costa Rica, visiting schools and conversing with local students, learning how to make traditional Costa Rican food, and helping beautify a community soccer field. The amazing staff at Outward Bound Costa Rica was so caring towards each and every one of us. After spending merely two weeks with twelve other girls and my instructors, we became a family. The friendships that I made on this trip are ones that are unbreakable. The experiences are ones that I will carry with me for the rest of my life, and I am so thankful to have partook in such an amazing program.

As a parent it was hard to sit back and not be the parent. It was reassuring to watch the girls develop life skills. They have grown so much and the test will be to see how they put all of it to use here at home. We can't wait to come back!

Open up your view of the world physically, emotionally, mentally. spiritually, and everything in between with Costa Rica Outward Bound. I was a student on the Coast to Coast Expedition, and while the title expedition was my favorite part of the trip, every phase had strengths, weaknesses, and lessons. Surfing is a lesson in perseverance. With no surfing experience, for me the phase was just continuous wipe-outs in the exhausting waves, but I think I got somewhere toward the end.... Anyway, SCUBA diving was absolutely amazing. Sea kayaking, snorkeling, and diving in Panama were just absolutely glorious ways to experience the wonders of the Caribbean. And the hike! The hike was an ever-evolving journey as a team to traverse the width of the fabulous country of Costa Rica. I loved the roads, the people, the group development, the mountains, the food, and the satisfying pain from having walked miles and miles carrying heavily loaded packs. The organization of the trip could be frustrating at times, but it really just takes a positive attitude to get through lateness, missing gear, an absent sailboat captain, etc. As for group dynamics, you never know what you're going to get. Maybe your instructors are perfect for you and your group; maybe you clash. Maybe your group works ridiculously well together; maybe you fall apart daily. Maybe you do a bit of both. Everything about the trip is a risk worth taking.

I cannot say enough great things about this program. Outward Bound Costa Rica has truly changed my life in so many ways and I can honestly say I wouldn't be the person I am today it wasn't for this organization. Outward Bound Costa Rica has extremely knowledgable and friendly instructors who go out of their way to make students feel comfortable and welcomed. They are amazing at using outdoor recreation activities to teach you so much about life and yourself. I would absolutely recommend this course to someone who is looking for a purpose in life, needing to spark passion, hoping to learn about themselves and the world around them, or just looking to have an adventure-filled trip.