Program Reviews

It’s sort of hard to rate the “housing” of a program like a semester Outward Bound course when it ranges from on the ground under the stars to under a tarp, to in shelters, to on the floor of homestay families’ homes, to small wooden bunk beds, but if you can sleep almost anywhere in all kinds of weather, it’s so fun to explore the country this way! The hike from coast to coast is one of my favorite months of my life. It was challenging but so so beautiful. SCUBA diving in Panama was truly magnificent, and sleeping on the dock overlooking the diving grounds is quite pleasurable. More rewarding challenges abound in the rafting and kayaking phases, and I’m also terrible at surfing, so that was difficult. But it’s wild to be in such close quarters with a group for 3 months, working together to achieve incredible goals and complete daily chores. Costa Rica is such a fantastic country. Great program.

This 65 day course in Costa Rica was the best thing I think I have ever done. Not only did I grow phenominally as a person, I also had a blast doing it. I met people I have never grown such a close bond to in such a short amount of time, overcame challenges I never thought I could, and pushed myself to my maximum physical and mental capabilities. By covering everything from small-scale team building lessons to rappelling down >100 ft waterfalls, every type of adventure I could have was given to me! Highlights were watching rain forest thunderstorms with a homecooked meal after brutal yet amazing days of mountain backpacking, scuba diving through bioluminescent waters in Panama, wakeboarding with dolphins, and learning how to save lives! I had never truly understood the purpose of outdoor and advemture education before I went on this semester course, but even three years after, I know that working as an outdoor educator is my dream job thanks to everything OBCR taught me.

Beyond the early hassle with time management and a sense of not knowing what is going on, I would have to say this program and the people in it where some of the best moments that have happened in my life. Whether it be zip lining through the Jungle or cruising through the Caribbean Sea the time spent and moments shared were amazing. Beyond this, I would definitely recommend this program and experience to all my friends and everyone I know. Also to wrap things up the country and people as well as the food we had was beautiful and amazing.

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.

I’m really grateful that I was able to participate in the 7-day adventure with Outward Bound! It was especially challenging for me because I have a physically disability that limits me to certain activities or it takes me twice as long to complete an activity. I’m even more grateful that Outward Bound allowed to me to participate in such a life changing course! I was able to push myself further than I have before! I traveled to Costa Rica alone with only knowing names, not the person. I made so many great connections! Diego and Molly were great leaders and were there to guide everyone in the right direction! This course has taught me to think more about the environment including the rainforest and appreciate what I have! It has also taught me even when I think I can’t do something, I can. For example, on the first day of the hike, we were hiking downhill. I started to get blisters on my toes, and I didn’t think I was going to be able to complete the second hike back up the steep hill. I was terrified! But, the climb back to the top was great! I was able to push myself and keep going! Thank you, Outward Bound!

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 homestay in a small indigenous community in Costa Rica, visiting schools and conversing with local students, learning how to make traditional Costa Rican food, and he 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.

During our week spent scuba diving in Panama, my fellow student and I decided to sleep out on the open, uncovered, dock one night. There just so happened to be a meteor shower that night so we spent the night laying on a dock in the middle of the ocean, watching the sky light up with shooting stars, and discussing our purposes in life. Spending 65 days exploring everything Costa Rica has to offer completely changed my outlook on life and inspired a love for outdoor education and experiential education. Whether we were backpacking through the rural central valley or sleeping on a dock in middle of the ocean in Panama, I was constantly challenged both mentally and physically. The wilderness first responder portion of the course was definitely the most difficult for. Days were full of classroom session and hands on practice (like making a backboard out of hiking backpacks then transporting a victim on it) and ended with a late-night car crash scenario, complete with fake blood, where we put of skills to the true test. This course is focused on developing leadership skills in the participants and instill a newfound sense of purpose in the world. I continued on to be offered, and accepted, a summer internship with Outward Bound Costa Rica and got to spend the summer putting all my newly learned skills to work with students. I can honestly say I wouldn't be who I am today if it weren't for Outward Bound Costa Rica.