Costa Rica Adventure Environmental Science and Culture in Costa Rica. Jungles, rain forests, and tropical rivers. Rare and endangered species, and cultural interaction. Available for academic credit at high school and college levels.

Earth Explore Costa Rica Adventure Quick Facts 8 day program Active and Educational Hotels in San Jose, Tortuguero, and Monteverde 3 meals a day 2 expert naturalist guides On-site resource experts Group size Students 3 to a room

Costa Rica Adventure Itinerary Our route takes us from San Jose, east to Tortuguero National Park for wildlife viewing along wild jungle canals. In the Orosi Valley we raft the Pejivalle River. To the west, we visit the Monteverde and Santa Elena Cloud Forests, and explore pristine areas by trail, motor launch, river raft, zip line, and horseback. We visit a school and interact with native Costa Ricans.

Brief Highlights of Program Tortuguero National Park - Wildlife Viewing-Endangered Species, biodiversity Orosi Valley Rafting Zip Line through jungle canopy Scenic Horseback ride in Monteverde Monteverde/Santa Elena Cloud Forests - biosystems, microclimates Visit to school, village for cultural interaction Possible viewing of Sea Turtle nesting activities in Tortuguero (weather permitting) Tortuguero National Park

Brief Highlights page 2 We stay in jungle lodges at Tortuga and Monteverde During our time in Tortuguero, cultural interaction with children, including a soccer game, is planned Our zip line adventure includes 14 platforms, 1 mile total, ecological trails, a mix of adventure and learning During our raft trip, we will also swim, float on tubes, and have a picnic lunch in a jungle setting along the river

The Earth Explore Foundation Your Planet. Discover it. Protect it. EEF has sponsored Teacher-led educational programs since 1995 Founded by teachers and outdoor educators Mission is to encourage learning in the outdoor classroom - science and cultures More than 5 thousand students from 35 states have participated The EE Foundation is a not for profit, mission-based educational organization All programs can offer credit at HS and College levels

Adventures to Planet Earth Fun and Learning in Inspiring Places

Just the Facts-Earth Explore Parents, students and teacher know one another Low adult/student ratio Credit opportunities- always hands-on World’s finest partner organizations An ideal mix of learning and fun adventure Preparation Meetings get students ready for the trip

Programs are mission based, emphasizing student- nature connections Not just a Student “Tour” Study the Earth; its landscapes, processes, people and cultures, through fun hands-on exploration Create enduring connections with the natural world Encourage curiosity, inquiry based learning

What happens when? Groups form/students enroll August through December All Adventures usually full by January 1st Teacher conducts preparation sessions in late winter through the spring Usually 3-4 two hour get-togethers Student receives the Naturalist newsletter quarterly, and program Adventure Guide

What happens when? Travel Packet arrives in May –Detailed day to day itinerary customized for each group –Official program cap, field journal, photo credentials, luggage tag, T- shirt

Earth Explore Online PDFs available Academic Credit Outline Fundraising Packet Program Flyers and Brochures Program Newsletters Student Application Health Form (spring)

Earth Explore Adventures Student application process Applications accepted until local group is full, then waitlist is begun If student is not known to teacher, interview is required Students can invite friends or siblings, subject to space available and interview Application requires deposit of $400

Earth Explore Adventures Student application process - continued Limited number of spaces for each Adventure each season Space is allotted on a first come, first served basis Application can be mailed, faxed, or submitted online - most now apply online Lead teacher will have materials or they can be requested from the National Office, or downloaded online

Costa Rica Adventure What’s Included - What’s Not All program activities/instruction All meals (3 per day) Hotel accommodations (no hostels or camping) 2 Travel Manager/Naturalist Guides per group On site resource experts Chaperoning by students’ own teachers Program accident insurance Travel items including cap, t-shirt, journal, luggage tags Academic credit tuition - HS Option for college credit Included Program airfare - Earth Explore arranges this for the group Passport - Required Items of a strictly personal nature (for example souvenirs) Not Included

Costa Rica - Travel Details Passport must be valid for 6 months beyond date of arrival U.S. Citizens do not require a separate visa No special shots required for residents of U.S. Earth Explore uses Costa Rica’s finest ground partners, and three star hotels for all programs

Costa Rica Travel Details - continued Winter and Spring meetings provide curriculum and travel instruction Quarterly newsletters provide information on passports, health forms and other details Flights are arranged once group is fully formed (usually November or December)

Costa Rica - Enrollment/Payment Families can enroll and submit deposit online Include name of your teacher to be assigned to group automatically Can also mail in application which is available as a PDF document online - click “get materials” Various payment plans, including monthly, and automatic charge to credit card Full tuition due April 1st - Extension for fundraising possible

Costa Rica Adventure - In Pictures San Jose to Tortuguero Hotel Presidente Rafting the Rio Pejivalle By van and boat to Tortuguero

Arrival at Tortuga Lodge for 3 nights Exploration of Jungle canals and habitats Wildlife includes Spider, Howler and White Faced Monkeys, Three Toed Sloth, River Otters, 320 bird species, 3 species of toucans, 8 species of parrots Costa Rica - In Pictures

Tortuguero Beach is nesting ground for Atlantic Green Sea Turtle Viewing of nesting sites, possible viewing of egg laying activity Costa Rica - In Pictures

We fly back to San Jose, then proceed by ground west, to Monteverde Zip line adventure enroute in tropical forest, above the Gulf of Nicoya and the Barranca River Check in at Monteverde Lodge Monteverde is a “green” lodge Operated with sustainable practices, recycling, solar energy use Grounds protect native species

Exploration by foot and canopy bridge Expert on site naturalist guides Monteverde Cloud Forest, 4600 feet elevation is one of the world’s most important biological preserves Immense bio-diversity in small area. 6 different ecological communities, 2000 plant species. Protected animals include jaguar, ocelot, quetzal, and many others Costa Rica - In Pictures

Evening horseback ride with views of the Gulf of Nicoya and area plantations Visit to Santa Elena Cloud Forest - Higher and less visited than Monteverde Amazing diversity of plant and animal life - wild orchids, 100 species of mammals, more than 300 bird species Costa Rica - In Pictures

Costa Rica Adventure Hands-on Leaning and Adventure