Over the years we have received feedback from many of our travelers. Most have told us that their trip was greatly enhanced by their own investigation and learning about Costa Rica before their journey. The more you know about Costa Rica, its people, and its environment, the more powerful and meaningful your experience can be. In the spirit of a true ecojourney, we have put together some of our favorite resources for your exploration.

Starting Your Journal
We recommend that you get a journal and start writing your thoughts and questions now. While you will be receiving one of our Conscious Companion booklets, which will provide some time for journaling, don't forget to bring your own journal on the trip!

• Why did you chose this experience? • What you are most looking forward to? • What are you most curious about? • What you hope to get out of it?

Sustainable Travel International: www.sustainabletravelinternational.org
Rainforest Action Network: www.ran.org
Rainforest Alliance: www.rainforest-alliance.org
Monteverde Conservation League: www.mclus.org
ATEC - Talamancan EcoTourism Association: www.ateccr.org
Tropical Rainforest Coalition: www.rainforest.org
Punta Mona: www.puntamona.org
Cool Sustainability Gear: www.to-goware.com
Delicious Costa Rican Coffee: www.godowntoearth.org
Organic Teas: www.ecoteas.com
Tree-Free Paper: www.livingtreepaper.com

Recommended Reading

Tropical Nature
by Adrian Forsyth, et al, Touchstone, New York, 1984

The Diversity of Life
by Edmond Osborne Wilson, Harvard University Press, Cambridge Mass, 1992

Breakfast of Biodiversity: The Truth about Rainforest Destruction
by John Vandermeer, et al, Subterranean Company, Oregon, 1995

A Guide to the Birds of Costa Rica
by Gary Stiles, Comstock Publishing, New York, 1989


Raising Money for Your Trip
If you start early enough, fundraising for your trip can be an extremely successful way of getting the kids excited, educating them on environmental and cross-cultural principles, and showing the parents and the community great enthusiasm for the project. Some of our past groups have become quite creative in their fundraising techniques.
One of our Canadian groups paid for the entire trip by selling citrus! Another group put together a Costa Rican/Tropical Dinner. They charged admission and served tropical fruits, Costa Rican foods, and fresh fruit drinks. They had a Latin band, speakers on the issues that the students would come across, and included a raffle with gifts donated by local businesses. One group organized donations from community and family members of valuable objects for the group to sell on eBay.

Another group asked local companies to sponsor the visit. In exchange for their donation, the students wrote articles in the local paper following the trip and included a “Thanks to…” section to highlight the businesses. They also took group pictures in Costa Rica holding signs of the different businesses that sponsored them. Some other suggestions for fundraising:

An early start, along with a dose of creativity, can make raising funds for this valuable experience easy! We have other successful fundraising ideas on file, just contact us for more ideas. Please let us know how we can help make Costa Rica a reality for you and your students.