Open Window School/OWS
Group 1
Exploring Costa Rica
April 22- May 1, 2015
Themes of the Day
Each day of our itinerary is highlighted by people, places, and themes that will be an important part of your trip. Each day focuses on an inspiring person or idea that will leave a lasting impact on your students. Each person will share their unique stories about involvement with important ecological, social, cultural, and economic issues, allowing students to make meaningful connections and reach deeper levels of understanding. Your guides work with you to connect each person and idea introduced during the trip to a cohesive whole.
Day 1: Owning your Experience; San Jose Area Wednesday, April 22
Your students will be challenged to take charge of their experience over the next 9 days in Costa Rica, encouraged to engage in active learning and personal growth, and to have open minds to make the most of this incredible opportunity.
Pura Vida! Welcome to San Jose and to the experiential learning adventure of a lifetime. Your bilingual naturalist guides will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel to settle in. Share a delicious tropical dinner as your guides set the tone for students owning their experience with active and engaged learning.
Important Themes:
Your guides will introduce the Story Approach and the teaching themes that will cohesively link together the incredible wealth of information you will learn on the trip.
Your group will be introduced to the Expedition Mentality, our nuanced strategy for creating the strongest possible group culture.
Our first nightly circle and bandana ceremony will reinforce the Expedition Mentality and set the tone for the best possible experiential learning trip.
Overnight: Casa Conde
To Costa Rica:
1. UA 1101 22APR WED SEA-IAH 5:45AM- 12:02PM
2. UA 1565 22APR WED IAH-SJO 5:47PM- 8:27PM
Dinner at Hotel
Day 2: Don Juan: Inspirational Teacher of Sustainability; La Fortuna Thursday, April 23
Don Juan is a visionary former school teacher who now shares his passion for teaching organic agriculture with everyone who visits his farm.
This morning we head up to La Fortuna and the base of Arenal, Costa Rica’s most active volcano. Upon arrival we have a chance to compare different strategies for sustainable and organic agriculture with a visit to Don Juan’s Farm. His farm is a model for community involvement and successful solutions to sustainable living. After lunch, we head to the Arenal National Park to do a LAVA Hike!
Important Themes:
Strategies for sustainable food production
Advantages and disadvantages of monoculture versus sustainable farming
How you can share positive solutions with your community as Don Juan does
Geology of La Fortuna and Costa Rica
Overnight: Don Juan, La Fortuna Area
Day 3: Geologic Wonders; La Fortuna Area Friday, April 24
Today we explore some of the geologic wonders of this area and discuss their formation and impact upon the biology and culture of Costa Rica
This morning we fly through the canopy on Eco-Glide, an amazing way to experience the rainforest. Expert guides assist you safely through on this zipline course through different layers of the pristine rainforests from the time you leave the ground until you rappel back down to the forest floor. Afterwards we visit the town of La Fortuna, checking out the shops and maybe an ice cream in the square. In the evening we relax in Natural Hot Springs at Eco-Termales.
Important Themes:
Importance of Geology for the La Fortuna area and Costa Rica as a whole, as a tourism attraction and biological land bridge between North and South America.
Geologic processes
How geology shapes your hometown
Overnight: Don Juan, La Fortuna Area
Day 4: Scientific Field Research; La Selva Saturday, April 25
Today we focus on student research projects, taking advantage of the most amazing classroom on earth!
This morning we head on to La Tirimbina Biological Research Station where we will dedicate the afternoon to hands on science projects out in the field studying Ecology and Diversity in the tropical rainforest. Students will have ample opportunity to zoom in on the wonders of biology in this amazing reserve that is home to four major tropical life zones, 5,000 species of vascular plants, and more than 400 species of resident and migratory birds. Large predators include jaguars, pumas, and bushmasters. Guides and local scientists will help students with their research and findings. In the evening we head next door to spend the night at La Selva.
Important Themes:
Methods of Tropical Field Research
Biodiversity and micro-climates
Species behavior and monitoring
Overnight: La Selva Biological Research Station
Day 5: Rafael Montenegro: Small town Community Leader; Tres Equis Sunday, April 26
“Don Rafa” is the heart and soul of the rural village of Tres Equis, a warm-hearted leader who works tirelessly to help his community and make visitors feel at home
After breakfast we go deep into the forest on an early hike through an extensive trail system, which provides access to a wide range of terrestrial and aquatic habitats. After lunch we get on the road to the charming rural village of Tres Equis where we will meet Rafa and be introduced to our home stay families.
Home stays are stepping stones to learning about the country and culture you are visiting. Students and individuals stay with rural “Tico” (Costa Rican) families in their homes for several days or more. This unique experience not only exposes the student to a different lifestyle and culture, it allows individuals to practice and enhance their language skills and make new friends. All of our families go through a lengthy selection process and are approved by our local community contact, Raphael Montenegro, whose enthusiasm and hospitality are truly remarkable.
Important Themes:
Life in a rural Costa Rican Village: what to expect
Comparison with students’ home communities
Cultural Values and traditions in Tres Equis
Overnight: Tres Equis Homestays
ORGANIZE Student Gathering
Day 6: “ Ticos” for a Day; Tres Equis Monday, April 27
Today we soak in the cultural experience of living in Tres Equis as we visit a local working farm with our homestay families
Today we visit Fresy’s Family Farm, learning about the livelihood and family traditions of our homestay families and experiencing what it is like to live in small-town Costa Rica.
Important Themes:
Rural jobs in developing countries
Comparing economic opportunities at home and in Tres Equis
Family structure and traditions
Overnight: Tres Equis Homestay
Day 7: Community Service: Leaving a Positive Trace; Tres Equis Tuesday, April 28
Today we have the chance to give back to the community of Tres Equis by participating in a service project, working hand in hand with the locals to make a positive impact on a local school in need
Today we work together with the Tres Equis Community to execute a service project that meets local needs. Projects include working with local schools on construction and repair, installing gravity water systems, setting up gardens, building sidewalks, reforestation projects and many other sustainable ventures.
Important Themes:
Why community service? Who benefits?
What makes a successful service project?
Service in your home community
Reflecting on the homestay experience
Overnight: Tres Equis Homestay
Day 8: Ecotourism in Action Wednesday, April 29
Today we bring the trip together by experiencing Ecotourism at its best, taking part in an activity that helps protect fragile ecosystems while providing jobs for locals and enjoyment and learning for participants
This morning we say goodbye to our homestay families and enjoy an exciting day of white-water rafting. This is not just an amazing adventure activity with Class 3 and 4 rapids, but it is a connection with many of the themes touched upon during your journey. This most scenic and famous river slices through pristine rainforest and mountain gorges, which drop the most beautiful waterfalls right alongside our raft. You may already know your rafting guides as many of them are from Tres Equis! As your group works together to move down the river, the bonds formed through the Expedition Mentality strategies employed throughout the trip will be apparent. After rafting, you head down to the Southern Caribbean to immerse yourself in vibrant Afro-Caribbean culture. On our way we visit a banana plantation to see first-hand the other side of agriculture, and the cost of converting forest to monoculture.
Important Themes:
Conservation Areas
Water cycles
Eco-tourism and economic support for communities
Social, Environmental, and Economic Impact of Monoculture and Bananas in Costa Rica
Overnight: Blue Conga, Puerto Viejo
Day 9: Tino: Cultural Ambassador; Puerto Viejo Area Thursday, April 30
Tino is a wonderful institution in the colorful Caribbean town of Manzanillo who loves to share stories and his vast knowledge of his rainforest “back yard” with unmatched humor and enthusiasm
Today we take a trip to the town at the end of the road, Manzanillo, a small town that hugs the crystalline water and is touched by Primary Rainforest. Here we have the opportunity to meet Tino and hike with him in the Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge. Along the way, we travel from the beach path into the jungle, where the diversity of flora and fauna is beautiful and abundant. Tino will explain the medicinal, culinary and other uses of many of the trees, fruits and plants along the way. In the afternoon we swim at one of the most beautiful beaches in Costa Rica. Punta Uva is a magical spot where the forest meets the sea and monkeys are often spotted eating sea grapes on the point. Afterwards, we drive back to San Jose for our farewell dinner.
Important Themes:
History of Costa Rican Caribbean Culture and its influences
Cultural differences throughout Costa Rica
Medicinal and practical uses of rainforest plants
Overnight: Casa Conde
Day 10: Home with Inspiration! Friday, May 1
On our final day together we’ll enjoy a last group breakfast, head to the airport, bid our guides a fond farewell and return home with memories of our Costa Rican Adventure that will last a lifetime! We hope to inspire all those who travel with us to gain a greater appreciation for the many natural treasures Costa Rica has to offer, and reflect upon the choices we all make at home to help preserve this precious culture and environment. Pura vida!
Quique 8845-0420
Liz 8723-1510
Returning from Costa Rica:
3. UA 1097 01MAY FRI SJO-IAH 6:30AM- 11:250AM
4. UA 475 01MAY FRI IAH-SEA 2:49PM- 5:28PM