Costa Rica 2007

On July 24, 2007, 15 teen Girl Scouts and four advisors embarked on a two-week adventure in Costa Rica.

We began the trip in Mastatal, and stayed at a sustainable learning center on the border of the rainforest. While there, we participated in a reforestation project, toured and helped at a chocolate farm, baked with local women, and completed a service project clearing the local soccer field of the thorny “Mimosa” plant that cuts up the children’s bare feet when they play. The girls were astonished to find that the local children rarely own more than one pair of shoes, and usually play barefoot to save their good shoes for special occasions.

Next, we traveled to Manuel Antonio, a beach town bordering a national wildlife preserve, where we went river rafting, sailing and snorkeling, and hiking in the park.

From there, we traveled to Monteverde and visited a coffee farm co-op started by a group of teenagers to help their families achieve fair wages for their products. We also explored the rainforest canopy through a zip line and suspension bridge excursion and toured the local countryside by horseback.

We ended the trip with a short stay in San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica. In San Jose, we did a walking tour of the city and prepared to depart the next morning.

What the girls have to say about the trip:

"I've learned that I can be a strong, independent person. I can stand up for what I believe and travel safely. I can be responsible for my passport and not lose it, and I learned that even when I'm feeling down, I'll always learn from experiences." -Zoe, age 15	Teen Girl Scouts in Monteverde, Costa Rica
Horseback riding in Costa Rica	"I learned that however much I might miss home, independence and self-reliance are wonderful feelings. Trips like this build my confidence that I can live on my own and be healthy and happy." -Sidney, age 17
"I learned about my impact on the world and my ability to safely travel as a woman in a foreign country." -Sarah, age 16	"I learned that you really can do anything you set your mind to. I also learned how to make the best of situations and unexpected things that come along while traveling." -Ashley, age 17
"My favorite experience was our time at Rancho Mastatal. Each day was filled with service, fun, relaxation and good food! It was also beautiful – we were literally in the rainforest. I fell asleep to the chirping of insects and awoke each morning to the sunlight coming in the window." -Becky, age 15.	A Costa Rican cicada
Rafting in Costa Rica	"I learned that I love stepping out of my comfort zone, meeting new people and challenges with confidence, and traveling makes me stronger and more awake." -Amanda, age 18
"I learned to keep my eyes open. I'm never sure when I'll see something new and cool." -Tabitha age 15	A red-eye tree frog
A Costa Rican coffee plant	"I learned how to become more eco-friendly. I now know how I can help slow global warming by doing simple things like reusing plastic bags and buying only local, organic food." -Elizabeth, age 15
"The task of taking on the world in all its wonder comes with a catch for my generation. The world's problems seem too daunting... too overpowering... but, this trip has shown me that there are opportunities to band together to create a support network to move forward and make a difference." -Sidney, age 17