ARCC Summer Programs | Costa Rica: Protecting Rainforest Wildlife
- Costa Rica
- San José
- Monteverde
About Program
Costa Rica is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world; in fact, you can find nearly five percent of all known plant and animal species in its world-famous national parks and wildlife refuges.
This three-week program is perfect for students who want to learn more about the environment and interact with the marine and land animals of this eco-friendly nation. During this wildlife adventure, we visit some of Costa Rica’s most iconic regions, ranging from breathtaking cloud forests to pristine beaches to lush rainforests. We assist local park rangers, scientists, and conservation experts who are committed to protecting the wildlife of this beautiful country and enjoy adventures such as ziplining, and waterfall hikes.
Video and Photos
Diversity & Inclusion
BIPOC Support
ARCC is committed to increasing accessibility for our programs and supporting socioeconomic diversity within our community. ARCC’s Voyagers Scholarship provides up to five scholarship opportunities per semester to students who identify within the BIPOC community. These scholarships can range anywhere from $5,000-$8,000, and also includes gear lending and mentorship support throughout the gap year experience. The Voyagers Scholarship can also be combined with ARCC Financial Aid. If you are interested in applying, please reach out to gap@arccprograms.com.
LGBTQIA+ Support
Neurodivergent Support
During our interview process, we have open communication with students and families about the support ARCC instructors are able to provide students while on program. For students needing some additional support, we ask them to complete a “Plan of Action” with their at home support system. These plans may include additional information about communication/support preferences, coping strategies, and/or specific requirements to encourage the student to engage with the program effectively. Once on the program, our instructors will periodically check in individually with each student, help the student stay accountable to their Plan of Action, and provide general support to all participants.
Accessibility Support
Whenever possible (determined by specific location and program - ie. infrastructure, access to specific health care facilities, dietary options available, etc), we have successfully assisted students with anaphylactic allergies, chronic medical conditions, and other accommodations on programs. We recommend that you reach out with specific concerns to your Gap Director to find the right fit for you.
Impact
Sustainability
Ethical Impact
Program Highlights
- Assist Scientists with Jaguar Research in the Rainforests of the Osa Peninsula
- Work Alongside Biologists Patrolling Beaches During a Sea Turtle Conservation Project
- Help Cloud Forest Researchers Tag and Release Tropical Songbirds
- Zipline Through the Treetops of the Monteverde Cloud Forest
- Snorkel Through Vibrant Coral Reefs and Watch for Humpback Whales at Isla del Caño
Scholarships
ARCC Gap Financial Support
A gap year is something that we hope to make accessible for all students and ARCC works to level the playing field so that all applicants may have a successful opportunity for education, travel, growth, and self-discovery post-high school. We strive to uphold these pillars of our organization through a variety of means. Each year ARCC Gap awards financial aid to support students who would otherwise be unable to cover the full cost of tuition. Additionally, ARCC is committed to increasing accessibility for our programs and supporting socioeconomic diversity within our community. ARCC’s Voyagers Scholarship provides up to five scholarship opportunities per semester to students who identify within the BIPOC community. These scholarships can range anywhere from $5,000-$8,000, and also includes gear lending and mentorship support throughout the gap year experience. The Voyagers Scholarship can also be combined with ARCC Financial Aid
Response from ARCC Programs
Thank you for taking the time to provide this important information. This is, unfortunately, the first we have heard about the behind-the-scenes treatment of your granddaughter and we, too, are very disappointed to know that this occurred. We commend your granddaughter on not only her ability to persevere in the midst of a difficult situation but to even walk away with an appreciation for her experience despite the challenges you mention. As a program, one of our goals is to facilitate meaningful relationships among students by way of ice-breakers, games, leadership activities, and the shared experiences of traveling to new places. Our hope is that this helps to create a solid foundation for the students to operate within throughout the program. We are sorry to hear that some students did not align with the ethics of our program and used time, when not directly supervised by our leaders, to mistreat your granddaughter. We only wish we would have known about this while your granddaughter was still on the program so we could have taken steps to remedy the situation. We are always looking to grow and improve as an organization and remain motivated by this experience in our continual efforts to combat bullying and exclusive behavior. Please feel free to reach out to us directly to provide any additional feedback.