Costa Rica Summer High School Programs with Rustic Pathways

If you're looking for an experienced-packed volunteering adventure and you're new to the whole volunteering scene, this program is a good pick. That's exactly what I was looking for when I chose it and I wasn't disappointed.
While going to at least 5 different schools in the area and doing a lot of volunteer work, you also get the chance to do a ton of once in a lifetime things, like swimming in hot springs, ziplining, or seeing some of the local animals- if you're lucky you'll see a sloth.
The volunteer work is, with a few exceptions, pretty physically tiring; it entails a lot of shovel work, and due to the unpredictable rains during the summer, usually while drenched. So, definitely not for people who can't get their hands dirty now and then. You also get to interact with a lot of kids, but again, they're Costa Rican, so brush up on your Spanish so you can talk to them a little.
Since the weather is very humid, my number 1 suggestion is TAKE MORE THAN ONE TOWEL! Depending on the number of girls and boys, you're in a room with 6 or 8 people to a bathroom so showering all the time isn't an option, although you might feel like it after the dirt, sweat and rain. It doesn't make much of a difference though, because nothing dries properly. If you have long or thick hair, consider always wearing it in a braid or tied up, because washing it and waiting for it to dry will take eons.
The food is good, depending on the program; I was on the Intro to Community Service program in July 2015, and our chef was amazing, but I was told by participants in other programs that the food wasn't as great. All in all, great or not, it's Costa Rica, so prepare yourself for lots of black beans with most meals.
I'm from Spain so I knew when I went on the program that I would be a minority, since Rustic is an American based program that caters to American teens. There are some nationalities, as there was a Turkish kid and a French kid on our program too, but you are mostly surrounded by American teens- which can be a good thing and a bad thing. If you're not that socially outgoing, it could be somewhat negative, because you've only got 9 days to open up and make friends with these people.
The Rustic staff are great. I really enjoyed talking to them and finding out about them. You usually have some South Americans or Ticos (Costa Ricans) on your trip, which make for a great cultural exchange. Again, brush up on your Spanish as for some, their mother tongue is Spanish.
Take lots of pictures, but don't go nuts about it. One of my BIGGEST issues with this program was that some of the USA teens could not put down their phones, despite the Rustic no phone policies. They were either constantly snapping pictures or checking social media. I understand taking some pictures of this once in a lifetime experience, but remember that that's exactly what this is, a unique experience, so why spend it all on your phone?
Overall, I would suggest the program for starters and, as the program name points out, as an introduction to service.

I absolutely loved my trip. The travel bug bit me early and this trip was the first trip (hopefully of many) that I started knowing no one. I was so excited to share some wonderful memories with equally wonderful people. The one thing I think I'm going to remember the most is the long bus rides. I remember looking around to bus and seeing great people and looking outside the bus to even better scenery. I will also never forget the stars in Costa Rica. On the last night with the trip, my group and I were all outside, in awe of the stars above us. There was next to no light pollution, and the sky was beyond beautiful. I will never forget my Rustic Pathways trip, and I hope to make even more memories all over the world.

In Surf and Service you will learn about environmental awareness and witness how only 30 min of beach clean up CAN MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE. Personally, I had never even touched a surf board before, yet I managed to learn how to surf very quickly. By the second day, you couldn't even distinguish those that had never surfed before with those that had. (Apart from some very experienced that had the opportunity of going deeper into the ocean to catch greater waves.) The base house is very comfortable, but chose your bed wisely. Consider that you'll either have the bed with the view but no air circulation, or the bed with not such a great view but next to a fan.
BriBri village is definitely a rustic program. Here there was always a great view and great air circulation because our beds or 'cushioned tents' were open aired. You will be staying in the middle of the rainforest only meters away from Panama. You will meet a wonderful man named Don Guillermo, who will tell you everything you need to know about his community and will be constantly at your service. He will teach you about construction, how to make chocolate, and the use of a variety of plants. (Tip: do not step on the 'cheesefuit', a fruit that looks like a potato, but smells like cheese. If you do step on it you will be constantly smelling it.)

My trip to Costa Rica was the most amazing experience, and it has forever changed me. I went on the Summer Camp Leadership program with Rustic Pathways. My program was being a summer camp councilor for underprivileged Costa Rican children. Throughout the whole trip as well as before AND after, the Rustic Pathways foundation/staff was so supportive and helpful. My program leaders were some of the nicest and most amazing people I've ever met, and I still keep in contact with them; they make sure every aspect of your trip is safe and exciting, and they do everything they can to be helpful. One example is when one of my leaders knew that I was missing a lot of cross country summer practice, so she invited me to run with her in the mornings before the camp started. It was so nice for a group of us to come together early in the morning a bond over a sport we all liked. There were definitely hard parts about the trip and times I doubted why I decided to go, but as I settled in, everything became natural and it was so clear that my trip was special. My experience traveling alone has made me so much more confident and has only reassured me that I know I want to do more traveling and more volunteering. Costa Rica as a country and culture is so beautiful and I think it was the perfect place for my first volunteering abroad experience. I would recommend this trip of a lifetime, to anyone.

The program was a very good experience for first time travelers in high school. It has amazing service opportunities and allows you to work with a big group of students. I remember building a sidewalk in the pouring rain and not even being bothered by it because of the impact we were having on the community. I would suggest this program to anyone who is looking to travel alone for the first time and is very interested in service learning.

I went on the program Heart of the Jungle in Costa Rica with the hopes of going on an adrenaline filled adventure. It was everything I had hoped for and more. Heart of the Jungle perfectly balances adventure, service, and down time. The white water rafting, zip lining, and rappelling are perfect for someone looking for a thrill. Although I am not very good with insects, staying in the tents was an amazing experience. I fell asleep to the sound of the jungle at night. There was also a base camp we stayed in for a few nights that was not very rustic. It was more like an apartment. We stayed in beautiful destinations that I had serious trouble leaving. The volunteering was a rewarding experience, since we helped build a house for a family in poor living conditions. The itinerary was not accurate on the volunteering jobs we would have because every program gets assigned jobs based on what is needed in the community at that time. I would not go into the program having any expectations on volunteering. I have to say that I loved the leaders on my program! We even called one of our leaders Mom because she was like a mom to us. Overall, it was an experience of a lifetime. I have met so many amazing people and have great memories. I would definitely recommend this program.

This summer I had the opportunity to go on a Rustic Pathways trip to Costa Rica. I chose to go on the BriBri Village trip as I felt that it would be both rewarding and full of adventure. I am 15 years old and I truly believe this trip exceeded my expectations. If you are unsure of whether or not to go on this trip, I would suggest to go for it. I can guarantee that you will not have another experience as unique as this one.

It is an immersive program and is truly "rustic." The village of Yorkin, where the BriBri people are found, was serene and secluded yet full of fun things to do. We slept in a 3 story, wooden, open-air house overlooking the jungle. Falling asleep and waking up to the sounds of nature was truly incredible. Keep in mind that there are LOTS of mosquitoes in this part of Costa Rica and that you will be VERY muddy for the majority of the trip. My only advice for people looking to go on this trip would be to make sure you bring rain boots and to bring lots of bug spray. Also, in terms of the social aspect of this trip, be sure to keep your mind open and you will be sure to make friendships that will last a lifetime.

Another thing to keep in mind is that you will rarely have internet access during this trip. Coming from someone who is pretty attached to social media, I'll say this: you will be absolutely fine. In fact, it was refreshing to step back and take a break from the digital world.

In conclusion, this trip was an experience I will never forget. The people I met, food I consumed, and things I did all created an amazing trip. I'm looking forward to partaking in another Rustic trip next year! Trust me, it's worth every penny!!!

The most adventurous future of my trip was staying in different places, most memorable was stay at the Maleku village where I got to experience their indigenous culture, interact with members of the tribe. We got so friendly that their dog snuck into our bus as we were leaving, he was discovered and put outside. Sadly... he was jogging behind the bus for sometimes...as if he did not want to part with newly made friends.
Worth mentioning daily trips to different activities such as zip-lining, surfing, white water rafting. Food was delicious all along and I made lots of friends.