Hola from the Galapagos Islands! The Chill Expeditions team has been on an amazing scouting trip of Ecuador since the end of April, discovering amazing, off the beaten path adventures and educational opportunities for our student and family travelers. From snorkeling with Sea Lions (and rays, and marine iguanas, and docile white tipped sharks) in the Galapagos to exploring a tiny Quechua speaking village high in the Paramo forest of the Andes, this trip has been nothing short of amazing. We are so excited about all the possibilities Ecuador has to offer! Lots more photos to come, but in the meantime:
Vista Academy/Open Window School Community Service
Yesterday students and teachers from Vista Academy at Open Window School spent the day helping a school in need.
The group painted the school and built a playset at Escuela La Flor, a tiny school nearby the town where the students are enjoying their homestays with Costa Rican Families. Thank you to Vista for your hard work!
When in Costa Rica….
Parker Middle School, from Reading, MA, discovered the true meaning of the Expedition Mentality yesterday en route from Rio Celeste to La Fortuna. When the only road on the route was blocked by an overturned trailer, the group was not to be deterred. The group waited patiently for a new bus to pick them up on the other side of the roadblock, and made it in plenty of time to do a service project at Escuela Los Angeles. At the Los Angeles school, the Parker Middle School students painted two classrooms in record time, and enjoyed a spirited game of soccer and a cultural dance. Parker Middle School also made a very generous donation of a laptop and many much-needed school supplies. Despite an obstacle in the road (literally!), a great time was had by all! Thank you Parker Middle School for your hard work and great attitude!
Francis Parker at Tanque School!
Students from the Francis Parker School in San Diego visited the rural Escuela El Tanque in La Fortuna today for a day of service and cultural exchange.
With help from very excited local students, Francis Parker repainted a classroom in need.
Students also found time to visit classes, play games, and get to know new friends on their fun-filled day.
Thank you Francis Parker!
Kapusta Family Trip
Beth Kapusta and her daughter Alex recently completed a fun filled 7 day family adventure that included….
Ziplining by the Arenal Volcano
Harvesting a Fresh Lunch at an Organic Farm
Rainforest Hikes
Discovering Wildlife with a Local Guide
Sucessful Surfing Lessons
Hanging out at the Jaguar Rescue Center
… and much more! Thank you to Beth and Alex for joining us in Costa Rica! Pura Vida!
Hammond Cultural Exchange in La Fortuna
Baile Tipico in Escuela Los Angeles, La Fortuna
Hammond Donating School Supplies to Escuela Los Angeles
Hammond School Community Service
The three groups from the Hammond School have each dedicated full days of service, transforming the small Escuela el Pilon in Turrialba and leaving a positive impact on their homestay village.
Hammond students and teachers, working alongside enthusiastic students from the local school, cleaned, primed, repainted the entire school- inside and out! The group also planted citrus trees, wild ginger, bananas and plantains on the school property. To round off the project, Hammond built and installed a Waldorf inspired playground for the students at Pilon.
Everyone worked very hard- and had lots of fun!
Hass Family Arrives!
The Hass Family arrived today for a wonderful 9 day guided family adventure. They will visit La Fortuna, the Caribbean Coast, and La Selva biological research station, and enjoy ziplining, snorkeling, rainforest hikes, and much more!
Hammond School Blog!
3 groups of students from The Hammond School in Columbia, South Carolina, are having a wonderful time exploring Costa Rica! Check out the Hammond blog for pictures and stories from Hammond’s adventures with homestays, rafting, rappelling, and more!
Cretin Derham Hall at the Tanque School!
While in the La Fortuna area, the students from Cretin Derham Hall visited Escuela El Tanque for a day of cultural exchange and service. The creativity and artistic talents of the CDH students shone as everyone painted colorful murals to brighten the Tanque School.
Students from both schools had a wonderful time playing soccer sharing class time, and painting together!
