August 4-11, 2018 - Adventure Tours - Golden Key ...

Adventure Tours          Service Learning
         &                         &
Tropical Discovery        Cultural Immersion

                     August 4-11, 2018

8 DAYS
                                                                 and
                                                              7 NIGHTS
Day 1 - Arrive at Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) – Hotel City Express (2 nights)
Day 2 - Tour Doka Estates Coffee and La Paz Waterfalls
Day 3 - Crocodile River Tour and Transfer to Playa Montezuma - Hotel El Jardin(5 nights)
Day 4 - (Morning) Explore National Park Cabo Blanco and Visit Wild Sun Wildlife Rescue Center
Day 4 - (Afternoon) Volunteer at Cabuya Elementary School
Day 5 - Volunteer at Romelia Sea Turtle Project and Release Baby Sea Turtles into the Ocean
Day 6 - Enjoy a full day and Sunset Dinner at Playa Santa Teresa
Day 7 - Zip-Line over a Waterfall and Jungle Canopy
Day 8 - Depart out of Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO)

Costa Rica is a world leader in environmental sustainability through programs like Blue Flag, CST, PES and NEC. It

     produces most of its electricity from renewable resources and conserves over 1/4 of its national territory.

    Sustainability is the synthesis of three factors: society, economy, and environment. Each element may be

                           individually sustainable yet unquestionably influence the others.

•   If your economy grows, your culture will change.

•   If your culture changes, your environmental practices will shift.

•   If your environmental practices shift, your economy will transform.

          We want to show you how to be part of a sustainable future and have fun along the way!

Service learning is a teaching and learning strategy that
integrates meaningful community service with instruction and
   reflection to enrich the learning experience, teach civic
           responsibility, and strengthen communities

Through cultural immersion, we discover that our own societal values
      and norms are just a tiny glimpse of the huge diversity that exists,
      and the way humans choose to live their lives contrasts
      dramatically across the globe.

   The benefits of taking the plunge and stepping into a new community
      are far reaching, from the opportunity to learn new
      languages and taste new foods, to uncovering the key ingredients
      to happiness and well-being.

Pura vida, a Costa Rican phrase which literally means “pure life”. It's a
way of life and a perspective to life that evokes a spirit that is carefree, laid back
and optimistic!

Get a ride with a driver from CRLA to the hotel
                       and
 Meet all your fellow travelers and trip leaders

Teach proper hand washing techniques & importance of good hygiene.

               Paint murals and signs to beautify school.

Take part in the humbling experience of helping less fortunate children.

            Develop bonds with the children and teachers.

Make it a unique experience by leading your own customized project.

Genuinely feel how much the children appreciate what you are doing!

Wildlife Rescue Centers are non-profit organizations that give
                 animals a second chance at life.
The dedicated staff and selfless volunteers work tirelessly to help
  these animals heal, rehabilitate, and eventually release them into
         their natural habitat in the Costa Rican rainforest.

Located along the fertile
slopes of the Poás Volcano,
    Doka Estate has been
growing and roasting award-
   winning coffee for three
generations. This tour allows
  visitors to gain an intimate
understanding of how coffee
      is grown, harvested,
 processed and produced in
both Costa Rica and around
            the world.

Five waterfalls surrounded
by pristine forest on 2.5
miles of hiking trails. While
walking the splendid
gardens, you can visit the
butterfly observatory, the
hummingbird gallery, the
serpentarium, the bird house,
and the frogs' exhibit.

On the Tarcoles River in Central Pacific of Costa Rica.

Get up-close with 20ft crocodiles and observe an abundance of beautiful exotic birds!

Enjoy spectacular rainforest scenery and cruise through dense mangrove forest canals.

Spot jungle wildlife such as iguanas, lizards, and monkeys, and crocodile feeding show!

A picturesque location filled with waterfalls, natural pools, and local bohemian
     flavor make Montezuma an idyllic destination for tropical relaxation.

Montezuma Beach

      Montezuma is located on the very southern coast of the Nicoya
Peninsula. This area of the country is more remote, making Montezuma a
little difficult to get to and, therefore, not overly crowded. The draws of
    Montezuma are its many quiet beaches, thick forest, and wildlife like
                          monkeys, butterflies, and birds.

The nations first nature conservation area is nestled on the
      extreme southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula.

Exquisite flora and fauna
                          Bird and Wildlife Watching
                             Excellent hiking paths
                          Frequently sighted species:
Butterflies – Humming Birds - Monkeys – Toucans - and more!!

•Complete Modern Amenities
•10 minutes from SJO Airport
•2 People per Room
•Full Breakfast
•Nights 1 & 2

•Located in the Heart of Montezuma Beach
               •2 People per Room
•Air Conditioning - Swimming Pools – Full Size Beds
                    •Nights 3 – 7

The Costa Rican Language Academy is a Costa Rican owned and operated Spanish
school, ensuring an authentic experience, both in terms of language instruction and culture.

Since 1989, they have provided Spanish programs for over 20,000 students.

On our trip, CRLA will provide us with an expert liaison. This guide will be with us at all times
ensuring that your experience lives up to your expectations.

All lodging, dining, transportations, tours and overall experience has been meticulously chosen
and planned through years of experience.

- Shared rooms (2 people per room)
     - Safe and Secure Facilities
          - Air conditioning
           - Swimming Pool
        - All Meals included

Hotel City Express (2 Nights)

  Hotel El Jardin (5 Nights)

You will be picked up from the airport promptly after your arrival and
   dropped off for your departure.
We have secured private transportation for our group for all tours and
  transfers.
The transportation company is fully licensed and insured with friendly and
   experienced drivers.

You will be transferred to Montezuma by speed boat
    across the Gulf of Nicoya from Jaco Beach.

•   8 Days and 7 Nights in Costa Rica
•   24/7 support services
•   Guided tours (La Paz and Doka)
•   American Golden Key group leaders
•   Volunteering at Sea Turtle Hatchery and School
•   Adventure excursions (Zipl-ine and Crocodile)
•   Orientation packet
•   All Breakfasts, lunches and dinners
•   All in-country transportation and lodging
•   Pre departure planning assistance
•   Experience of a lifetime

You are responsible for booking and paying for your own flight into SJO

•   Application and $300 deposit:

    Due IMMEDIATELY to reserve spot

•    Separate balance payment of $1,095 due in full by:
                    July 7, 2018
           Total Trip Cost - $1,395

Separate Payments must be made in form of:
                                                           Mail BOTH separate payments to:
    Cashier’s Check or Money Order ONLY

         • $300.00 Deposit                                  10635 Nadia Avenue
         • $1,095.00 Balance                                 Orlando, FL - 32825

                                 *subject to a minimum $50 late fee

*If full balance payment is not received by July 7, 2018, you will forfeit deposit and lose your spot.
          OR to participate, additional fees will be incurred based on date of full payment.

Flights
     San Jose International Airport, Juan Santamaria in Alajuela - SJO

     Arrivals may be anytime on Saturday the 4th.
   Departures must be after 4pm on Saturday the 11th.

                             If you choose to:
       Arrive or Depart outside the required times and/or dates
You will be responsible for additional meals, lodging and transportation costs.
          You must arrive at the airport 3 hours prior to departure.

Laura Lord-Blackwell
                         Group Leader
                          Orlando, FL

    engagecostarica@gmail.com
www.facebook.com/engagecostarica

Lorenzo Abarca
                     Assistant Director at CRLA
                         Liaison/Tour Guide

Jonathan Blackwell
   Group Leader
    Orlando, FL

"My experience in Costa Rica was not only amazing, but eye-opening. Many times when you hear
about people going out of the country, it is usually for a vacation; but I love how Golden Key was
able to make this trip about learning and embracing the culture. When you gain knowledge of how
other people live, I feel like you are able to appreciate the things that you have more.

In addition, I feel like I have made some good friends that I can stay in touch with. When you are
able to go out of the country and meet new people, I believe you are guaranteed a good time. Not
only that, you will be able to work on your social skills.

Believe it or not, this was my first time going out of the country and I could not have pictured doing
it any other way. It has opened opportunities for me to travel more, as well as, making new
connections. If you choose to go on this learning service trip, remember to have an open mind, but
most importantly, have fun. It will be totally worth it. " – Samira

"I want to start off by saying what an amazing time I had on this trip. Aside from
eventually having a stable career, I have always planned to have a life of travels. The
first place I ever wanted to go was Costa Rica and this trip gave me an affordable
opportunity to do so. Being able to help out the students and school then getting a
chance to meet with a local family were both extremely enlightening. The trip itself was
very organized in terms of following the itinerary, but at the same time was full of
surprise stops. I met a ton of great people that I plan to keep in touch with that I would
not have otherwise met. This trip was a success and as an officer for the UCF chapter I
plan to recommend to all of our members and would love to be a part of this again." -
Elaina S.

“The opportunity to travel to Costa Rica with Golden Key was absolutely
amazing. This trip taught me so much, and I had such a good time. I made
new friends, and experienced lots of new things. CRLA was amazing, and
the guides were unbelievable. We got to do and see things outside the
normal scope of travel and for that I am so grateful. This is a great trip.
Everything was taken care of and it exceeded my expectations.”
-Kelsey N.

“This past week has been literally the best week of my life thus far. I loved
meeting fellow GK members from around the US and this trip gave me
completely unexpected experiences. Until I saw the sloth, I've never even
realized that I wanted to hold the furry creature! Costa Rica is such an
amazing place, with all its lush greenery that is just unparalleled. I realize that
it's in the process of becoming more developed, but it makes me a bit sad
to think of all those glorious trees that will be sacrificed. That made me
appreciate its current beauty even more, and I'm really grateful to everyone
who made the trip possible. If you plan a similar trip in the future, I would
love to join again!” - Samantha C.

“The Golden Key-hosted trip to Costa Rica was the best experience of my life. It was my
personal first time out of the country so I was a little weary in the beginning, but am very
happy I went through with it! We were able to do so much while we were there, it was
money well spent! It was a total immersion experience and I learned things about the
language, culture, and population that no amount of education could provide an individual.
Every detail of the trip was amazing, including the wonderful tour guides who were nothing
but kind, knowledgeable, and helpful. It was so nice to have everything planned out for
you so you didn’t have to worry about directions in getting one place to another, the cost
of each individual item, or research what things you could do for the day. Overall, it was a
great trip in an amazing place with equally amazing people, and I would recommend
anybody who has the option of participating in this trip to take advantage of the
opportunity!” -Anna W.

Golden Key
            International
            Honour Society

COSTA RICAN LANGUAGE ACADEMY
  P.O. BOX 1966-2050, SAN JOSE, COSTA RICA
     Tel (506) 2280-1685, 2280-1739, 2280-5834
            E-mail: crlang@racsa.co.cr
            www.spanishandmore.com