Barb Wolfson April 13th - 21st 2013

Arenal Volcano

Day 1 --------- Arrive and drive to Arenal (Casa Luna Lodge)

We know it will be a long day of traveling but it makes sense to just add an extra 2 1/2 hours and get to our first stop. We will start the trip at the Arenal Volcano where everyone will have an excellent view of the volcano. When we arrive at Casa Luna dinner will be waiting for us and then it is straight to bed to rest up for the Day 2 of the adventure we have planned. (Meals: Dinner)

Day 2 --------- Zipline & Don Juan Farm (Casa Luna Lodge)

Today we will be ziplining one of the ultimate ziplines in the country. These cables have the best view of any zipline and are hanging 700ft above the rainforest floor. After the zipline we will take you to enjoy our favorite lunch in all of Costa Rica at Don Juan's Organic Farm. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)

Day 3 --------- Travel to Caribbean (Almonds & Corals)

We will say good-bye to our host families and then head to the Caribbean Coast. Our final destination will be the Almonds & Corals Ecolodge which was voted Costa Rica's top ecolodge in 2010. This is a great spot right on the beach that will offer lessons in sustainability as the hotel operates with the maximum level of sustainable practices awarded by the Tourism Board. The area is surrounded by wildlife and a chance to enjoy the true essence of Costa Rica. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)

Day 4 --------- Nature Hike & Visit Sustainable Farm (Almonds & Corals)

Today we will take you to a nearby reserve with your naturalist guide, Jheudy. He'llguide you on a walk filled with wildlife along the coast where the rainforest meets the ocean. We will then take a short boat ride and visit a sustainable farm where you can see what organic and permaculture farming can do. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)

Day 5 --------- Snorkel Reef on Caribbean (Almonds & Corals)

Today is a beach day but first we will all be doing some snorkeling through the beautiful coral reefs of the Caribbean. The wildlife is plentiful here both near the sea and also inland, in the many refuge areas. We'll take some hikes in the afternoon to get some upclose looks at the sloths, monkeys, and many different bird species of the area. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)




Day 6 --------- Jungle Hike & Drive to Sitio de Mata (Homestay)

We will wake up in the morning have breakfast and then make our way to the lowland tropical rainforest. We'll hike through the rainforest giving everyone an understanding of the amazing wonders of these super biodiverse jungles of Costa Rica. In the afternoon we will be arriving to the rural mountain village of Sitio de Mata where we will be staying two nights.  This is often considered the best part of the trip. In Sitio we'll be greeted by our homestay hosts. All houses are in very short walking distance of each other. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)

Day 7 --------- Community Service & Cultural Activities (Homestay)

Today we will get to work on a community service project in the village. We will spend the better half of the morning doing some work and then back to our homestays for lunch. The afternoon will involve some cultural activities along with a soccer game with the village kids. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)

Day 8 ---------San Jose (La Condesa)

We'll return to the Central Valley today, driving though the original capital of Cartago and through San Jose.  Our last night will be at the beautiful La Condesa Hotel in the mountains above the valley. We'll do our final reflections on the trip at a farewell dinner.

Day 9 --------- Fly Home!

Today we will transfer you to the airport for your flight home! Depending on your flight time we might head back to the airport area on day 7 but we can make that call later on. (Meals: Breakfast)

Community Service /Adventure Ridgefield 2013 Costa Rica

Sunset at the Cavern

Day 1 ----- Arrive (La Condesa)

Today you will be met at the airport by the CRR staff who will take you to your first hotel,  La Condesa. This is one of the Central Valley's most beautiful spots, up in the mountains offering a great night's rest after a long day of traveling.

We will have dinner as a group and go over the week's activities to give the kids an idea of how the trip will be flowing. (Meals: Dinner)

Day 2 ----- Enter Cave (Sleep Behind Waterfall)

Waterfall Rappel

Today we will get an early start and head to the Southern Pacific area where we'll hike into the cavern. Here we will be sleeping behind a waterfall while being completely surrounded by nature. The morning will be spent hiking and after lunch everyone will get a chance to rappel down a 150ft waterfall.

In the evening we will get the campfire going and it will be time to sing some songs and tell some stories as we celebrate a great day. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)

Day 3 ----- Travel to Turrialba (Casa Turire)

After breakfast in the cavern we'll hike to some nearby pools where everyone will get to jump off a 15ft waterfall into a pool. Then it's back to the cavern for lunch and get ready to leave this one-of-a-kind picturesque spot.

After the hike out, we will drive to the Turrialba area where we'll be staying in the Casa Turire Hotel. This will allow the kids to get a good night's rest before a full day of Community Service in a nearby village. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)


Day 4 ----- Enter Homestay & Community Service (Homestay)

Today we will make the short drive to the nearby village of Sitio de Mata where the kids will be introduced to their families. This is one of our finest experiences and just being in the village is an enormous community support project as the financial benefits to the family are greatly needed.

The next two days will consist of community work that will benefit the local village. The Ridgefield kids will be put to work building, painting, and taking part in whatever needs to get  done in the community. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)

Community Service

Day 5 ----- Community Service Project (Homestay)


Another day of Community Service will allow the kids to finish the project they were working on. This will take the better half of the day and the afternoon will be a chance to enjoy some time of the local culture. We will take part in different activities that are related to the local culture and a chance to enjoy the food and dance. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)

Day 6 ----- Enter Pacaure River & Travel to Arenal (Casa Luna Lodge)

Rafting Pacuare River

After working for two days it is time to get the fun started again and raft one of the most scenic rivers on the planet. National Geographic has the Pacuare River on their list of top five most scenic rivers. It is beautiful, filled with tropical rainforest, canyons, and waterfalls from start to finish.

After the rafting adventure we will make the drive to the Arenal Volcano where the kids will have great views of the perfectly cone-shaped volcano of Arenal from their rooms. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)

Day 7 ----- Zipline, Don Juan, & Hotsprings (Casa Luna Lodge)


The last day will be a full day starting with ziplining through the rainforest and and ending with the hotsprings. None of this can be fun until we get some work done at local Don Juan's farm. Don Juan is home to an organic farm that will allow the kids to work on the farm doing the daily chores of Don Juan and get a better understanding of the food system.
The hotsprings will provide the setting for the farewell dinner with all the guides and staff--a fun way to remember the good times of the last week! (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)

Day 8 ----- Fly Home!


Today we will transfer you to the SJO San Jose Airport. (Meals: Breakfast)