Costa rica e brochure for hrce active adults

COSTA RICA March 9 to March 17, 2014 9 Days / 8 Nights

Custom Adventure for Active Adults Program in Brief Innovative trip leader, Jim Wells, and his Cascadia School team make the difference.

They have expertly designed a travel program for active adults wanting an alternative to mainstream tourism. Through off-the-beaten path experiences they ensure genuine connection with the Costa Rican culture and Costa Rica’s natural treasures.

Highlights Cultural Immersion – Spanish for Travelers – Service Project – Whitewater Raft Trip – Waterfall Rappelling – Jungle Zip Line Camping - Rural Farming – Natural History – Cooking Class – Country Bus Riding –Bird Watching – Swimming – Hike to Remote Cabacer School, Smoking Volcanoes and Good Eating -- to name a few!

A Note from Jim Wells, Director of Cascadia School…

Join us on an unforgettable exploration of Costa Rica. Active adventuring, life-long learning, responsible travel, and off the beaten path destinations underpin the essence of this trip designed for adults seeking an alternative to mainstream tourism and coach tours.

Cascadia Adventure Education School engages its participants in genuine travel experiences. Combining education with travel to foster experiential learning, each day features opportunities to interact with Costa Rican families, farmers, and scholars and explore a tropical bio-region rich in history and natural treasures. Travelers can expect camaraderie and sense of community as we stay in comfortable inexpensive lodgings, relax together alongside a pool or waterfall, and enjoy outdoor dining on occasions.

Highlights include: Hiking lush tropical trails and searching out wildlife with a naturalist; delving into Costa Rican culture and backstory at Guayabo, the lost city; traveling into the Talamanca Mountains to visit a newly built school for indigenous Cabacer students and contribute your time in a service project there; floating down a wild and scenic river way – one of world’s top-rated natural landscapes; Visiting a remote farm that is off the grid and go back in time; explore country roads and villages seldom traveled by tourists.

By the way we have negotiated an exceptional roundtrip airfare and superb schedule departing from Portland, Oregon (PDX).

Come join us and reserve your spot today.

Jim Wells Director, Cascadia School

ITINERARY DAY 1 – Saturday, March 8    

Fly to San Jose from Portland In-Flight Spanish Puzzles/Word Games Overnight La Corte, a San Jose Guesthouse Trip Orientation

DAY 2 – Sunday, March 9        

Tico Breakfast Spanish: Traveler’s Crash Course Country Bus Trip to Turrialba Traditional Lunch (Casado) Meet Local Guides; Introductions Canyoneering Adventure: Zip Line, Nature Hike, Waterfall Rappelling, Jungle Plants, Canopy Bridge Transfer to Rancho Cascadia, Move into Tent Cabins.

Asado Bar-B-Q at Rancho

Day 3 – Monday, March 10         

Breakfast and Bird Watching Spanish at a Glance Country Bus Trip & Hike to Waterfall Panaderia Lunch in Turrialba Local Shopping Trip at the Market Naturalist Led Tour through CATIE Swimming / Dinner at CATIE International Club Overnight at Rancho Cascadia Monkey Stories

Day 4 – Tuesday, March 11        

Backcountry Bus Trip to Talamanca Mountains Scenic Off the Beaten Path Road Trip Transfer Luggage and Gear to Pack Horses Meet the Venegas Family Rural Farm Tour and Farm Chores Swimming in Boulder Pool Country Dinner with Local Farmers Rustic Riverside Tent Camp – Safari Style

Day 5 – Wednesday, March 12        

Cabacer Native Language Primer Service Project at Cabecar Rural School Cultural Exchange with School Students Afternoon Transfer to Siloe Lodge Swimming and Pool Party Authentic Tico Cuisine for Dinner Cultural Exchange and Dance with Local Students Overnight at Siloe Lodge

Day 6 – Thursday, March 13      

Explornatura Rafting Expedition Search for wildlife and waterfalls Paddle through scenic Pacuare River Gorge Riverside Lunch Overnight at Pacuare River Tent Camp and Palenque Night Hike / Star Watching with Naturalist

Day 7 – Friday, March 14      

Riverside Palapa Breakfast Tropical Ecology and Natural History Launch Rafts to Caribbean Lowlands Afternoon Transfer Siloe Lodge Out on the Town – Restaurant Dining Overnight at Siloe Lodge

Day 8 – Saturday, March 15      

Wicked Spanish and Tico Speak Country Bus Trip to Guayabo National Monument (National Archeological Site) Say Farewell to Your Cascadia Guides Afternoon Transfer to San Jose Souvenir Shopping Dinner and Overnight at Hotel Aeropuerto

Day 9 – Sunday, March 16  

Early Morning Transfer to Airport Return Flight from San Jose, Costa Rica to Portland, OR

Optional Trip Extensions:   

Carribean Coast Hideaway Cabin Corcovado National Park Homestay / Language School

This nine day cultural and natural history adventure takes us to the lush tropical forests and rivers of Costa Rica. Through learning cultural differences and sharing positive experiences, Cascadia School aims to cultivate global citizens who feel empowered to create positive change in their local and international communities. We’ll take full advantage of the many natural wonders Costa Rica has to offer and interact with local families, students and indigenous people. Guest speakers and expert naturalists will join us along the way.

The trip has been designed for active adults. Participants must be active and have the ability to walk up to two miles on uneven terrain and engage in outside activities lasting 2-6 hours.

Genuine, meaningful service projects are in reality delicate, and carefully crafted – especially when interfacing with Costa Rica’s indigenous peoples. If all the planets align and conditions permit we will visit a newly constructed remote rural school near a settlement in the Talamanca Mountains known as Vereh. With packhorses carrying our gear we will walk a mile or so to our riverside safari style camp. Located on the opposite bank of the river we will find the Cabacer one-room school house. Our service project will focus on improving the school, donating needed school supplies, and interfacing with the students.

A Spanish phrase, “pura vida” is commonly used by Costa Ricans to express a philosophy of strong community, resilience in overcoming difficulties, keeping with good spirits, enjoying life slowly, and celebrating good fortune and friends. Like the people of Costa Rica, we at Cascadia School make a special effort to nurture a culture of vitality, community, and zest by injecting lots of fun into the day, bonding and befriending each other, and throwing ourselves into the action. Needless to say our course instructors are experts in setting the stage for this type of culture we speak of.

“Pura Vida!”

Tuition

$2,025 (includes all meals, lodging, activities, entrance fees, internal transportation. A donation for school supplies (as part of our service project) is included in your tuition fee.

Air Fare $771.41 Round Trip Portland to San Jose, Costa Rica Airfare must be paid in full to Cascadia School

by Friday, Jan 3, 2014.

March 9: To SJO from Portland 8:50am PDX-PHX 11:22am (US #895 321) 12:00pm PHX-SJO 6:10pm (US #476 319) March 17: To Portland from SJO 7:40am SJO-PHX 12:20pm (US #547 319) 1:45pm PHX-PDX 4:20pm (US #1725 321)

Cost does not include:  Personal Items – Food, Snacks, Sundries, Souvenirs, Wine & Spirits  Meals on Air Travel Days  Transfer from SJO to Guest House on Day One  SJO Airport Departure Tax @ $29  Medical, hospital, lost or stolen items, or expenses resulting from flight delays  Gratuities to Guides / Guest Speakers ~ $150  Optional Trip Extensions Pre-Trip Planning Packet Upon receipt of deposit you will receive a trip planning packet that will jump start your adventure. It will include such things as: Country briefing sheet, flight information, health tidbits, medication information, release and medical forms, Spanish for Travelers, passport information, FAQ’S, Packing List, etc.

Fine Print Itinerary: The schedule and activities are subject to change. Weather, river levels, changing bus schedules and new opportunities are just some of the variables that might cause us to alter our program. We will endeavor to follow the itinerary, but flexibility and willingness to adapt will be the key to success.

Cancellation: Hopefully this won’t come up, but if for some reason you need to cancel it would be best to find someone to fill your place. Another strategy is to buy travel insurance from Travel Guard or a similar company. If you cancel after January 25, 2014 you will only be refunded 40% of your tuition ($2,025). If for some reason Cascadia School cancels the trip your deposit and tuition payment will be fully refunded.

Late Reservations: Bookings made within 30 days of departure may be subject to additional fees to allow for express mailing and other necessary expediting. We urge you to reserve your place early and submit your deposit so you can obtain favorable airfares!

Rooms: Accommodations will be in Safari Style Cabin Tents, Guest Houses, Lodges and Hotels. When tenting, shared bathroom facilities will be utilized. We will not impose single supplement type of fees, but we ask that you share a cabin tent with fellow travelers on the night of our service project trip and possibly at Rancho Cascadia.

Deadlines and Important Dates Reserve Your Place on the Trip! → $175 Deposit Due (non-refundable) Wednesday, January 22nd, 2014

(45 days prior to departure)

→ $1,850 (Tuition less deposit) or $2,025 (Full Tuition) → Submit: Full Enrollment Forms, Medical Information and Release, Copy of Passport

If you would like to add a trip extension contact Jim Wells for more information.

To enroll contact: Jim Wells, Director CASCADIA SCHOOL P.O. BOX 240 TROUT LAKE, WA 98650 (

(509) 637-5494 or (509) 395-2553

info@cascadia.org www.cascadia.org

 Costa Rica -- Cultural and Natural History Adventure  Service Learning Vacations  Summer Teen Trips to the Pacific Northwest and Alaska  Cascadia Kayak School & Summer Camp

Reserve your place today!

Make Your Deposit Check Payable to: Cascadia School

P.O. Box 240 Trout Lake, WA 98650 www.cascadia.org

Serving Schools and Residents Throughout the Columbia River Gorge Region In Cooperation with

Medical History Form Custom Adventure for Active Adults March 9 to March 17, 2013 Name: ___________________________________________________________________________ Male _____ Female _____

Age _____

(optional, but helpful)

Address: ______________________________________________________________________________ Work Phone ________________ Home ______________________ Cell ___________________ Do you have any physical complaints or chronic illnesses at this time? If yes, please explain:

Have you had injuries in the past (e.g. back, knee, shoulder, elbow)?

Are you currently under the care of a physician or health practitioner of any sort?

Are you taking medications of any kind? Are there any special instructions?

Are you on a special diet?

Do you have or have you ever had: Seizures?

Asthma?

Allergies? To what? _______________________________________________________ Are you allergic to bee stings or nuts? * Type of reaction: _________________________________________________________________________ Please describe any other relevant medical information?

24 Hour Emergency Contact Person: ___________________________________________ Phone Number ____________________________ 2nd Phone Number _________________________ Name of Physician: ________________________________________ Telephone: _____________________ Address: _______________________________________________________________________ Name of Insurance Company:________________________________________________________________ Group Number ________________________ ID Number ____________________________

I approve of emergency care for myself under the direction of the school staff or consulting doctor if I am unable to make my wishes known. (Cross out the last statement if you do not wish to grant medical consent). I have read, understand and agree to the above listed statement and do sign this agreement of my own free will.

___________________________________________________ Signature of Participant Printed Name: _______________________________

______________________ Date

PACKING LIST and INSTRUCTIONS

Dear Participants, Following is a packing list with everything that you will need for your trip to Costa Rica. Please follow our recommendations closely.

 Light Weight Fleece Vest or Sweater (1) An extra layer to take off an evening chill.  Windbreaker An extra layer to take off an evening chill.  Long Sleeve Shirt (1) For the airplane flight and going out for dinner.  Long Sleeve Nylon Shirt (1) Synthetic – for sun protection, swimming, etc.  Short Sleeve Shirts (2) Preferably synthetic for easy drying.  T-Shirts (2) 1 synthetic, 2 cotton  Ball Cap (1) Hat with visor - Sun Protection  Jeans or Pants (1) Belt?

Rugged, well-built pants or jeans  Dress Shorts (1) (board shorts are okay)  Athletic Shorts (1)  Underwear (You be the Judge) Briefs or boxers, sports bras (women)

 Swim Suit (1)  Socks (3) One pair of synthetic blend socks for hiking. Two pair of lighter weight socks.  Outdoor Shoes (1) Sturdy closed toed shoes with good ankle support for hiking. (Make sure they are broken in).  Sandals (1) Strapped sandals are better than flip flops. They will get wet.  Towel (1) Medium size  Pajamas (1) Note: Sleeping Mattress (Cabin Tents), Sheets, Blanket and Pillow will be provided.  Day Pack Your day pack will be used for day hikes. This can be a very basic backpack but it should have two shoulder straps (not a satchel or messenger bag) and should be big enough to hold your lunch, water bottle, some food, some extra clothes, sun tan lotion and insect repellent.  Duffel Bag All your gear needs to fit into this bag.  Water Bottle One 1-liter water bottle  Headlamp or Flashlight & Spare Batteries  Bandana Useful for a variety of purposes  Watch (this is optional, but may be useful)  Prescription Glasses and Contact Lenses Bring spare glasses or contact lenses. Contact lens wearers should consider bringing a pair of glasses as backup.  Prescription Medicine / Vitamins

 Personal Hygiene Articles Toothbrush, tooth paste, comb/brush, nail clippers, feminine hygiene products  Digital Camera, Memory Card, Battery, Battery Charger, Waterproof Bag (optional)  Sunglasses (and Croakie!)  Passport  Wallet  Pencil / Pen / Small Notepad  Book? (Magazine for the long airplane flight)  Personal Spending Money

What not to bring: Knives, lighters or liquids of 4oz or more or anything else that may be confiscated

by TSA at the airport. Cell Phone or expensive electronics.