Milford JHS Costa Rica Trip: April 15-24, 2011
Milford Junior High-School
Costa Rica Service & Adventure Program
April 15-24, 2011
Tuition: $2495.00 (Includes Airfare**, Accommodations, Food, Transportation, Excursions)
TO WATCH A VIDEO ON THE 2009 COSTA RICA SERVICE AND ADVENTURE PROGRAM
CLICK HERE
Come share in an exciting and unique travel & service opportunity to Costa Rica with the CREER "Believe" Service Organization and MJH. Through this journey you will have a true opportunity to experience the authentic rich culture of this incredible country while doing work to support the people, communities, and the preservation of the land and the environment. Our guides for this adventure will be Raylene Gerber (MJS) along with CREER Service Organization Costa Rica Staff. Throughout the program you will have an unforgettable experience, full of adventures through the Costa Rica landscape, connections with the local people, and outreach work. In a time where our world is becoming more
and more of a global family, what better way to be part of the bridge of support we are creating, by taking part in this international service mission. During the program we will participate in several service projects including projects such as:tree planting, work on the local school, work on a local library being built, care for the endangered turtles, beach cleanup, and the opportunity to
share your individual gifts with the local villagers (ie. art,music, dance, sports). Lodging is in rustic cabins and dorms. (private upper class accommodations are also available upon request.) Our programs will be 2 rural villages of Costa Rica. Site #1 will be in a small village in the mountainous region near the Arenal Volcano. Site #2 will be located at the beach village of Matapalo in the central pacific region of Costa Rica.
If interested please email:
Joshua Canter: joshua@truenaturecommunity.org (Costa Rica Contact)
or Raylene Gerber: rgbaskets@aol.com(MJS/US Contact)
Tentative Itinerary (Subject to Change):
Day 1: Arrival Day
-Fly into SJO (San Jose International)
Stay at La Rosa de America Hotel
Day 2:
-Travel to Site #1
-Nueva Farm Tour and Land Orientation
-Introduction to 
Biodynamics/Sustainability "Rainforest Mystery Tour"
-Service Project #1: Reforestation
-Evening Program: Opening Circle
Day 3: Arenal Adventure Day
-Early Breakfast
-Service Project #2
-Transport to La Fortuna
-Canopy tour/Zip line
-Lunch in La Fortuna/Free time (shopping, internet?)
-Volcano Hike & Hotsprings
Day 4: Community Service, Experiential Learning and Fun Day
-Service Project #3: Paint San Rafael Community Center
-Fun Time!:Pool Party, Sugar making (Jugo de Cana)/Pizza making in a cob oven/hot tub,
-Dinner (pizzas we made)
-Movie Night
Day 5: Travel Day to Matapalo
-AM Transportation to Matapalo (Beach Village Site #2)
-Crocodile Tour
-Orientation
-Sunset Beach Welcome Ceremony 
Day 6: Matapalo Beach and Service Day
-Meet the Village of Matapalo
-Service Project #4 AM
-Beach Activities
-Beach Bon-Fire
Day 7: Whale Watching Day
-Service Project #5
-Whale Watching Trip
-Evening Fiesta
Day 8: Service and Manuel Antonio Trip
-Service Project #6
-Trip to Manuel Antonio National Park
-Dinner/Shopping in Manuel Antonio
Day 9: Travel Day
-Travel to San Jose
-Fly back to the US
-A Dios
Daily Schedule 
7am Yoga
8:30-9am Breakfast
9:30-12:30 Service Projects
12:30 Lunch
1:30-5:30 Excursions and Free Time
6pm Dinner
7pm Night Activities
10pm Sleep
Frequently Asked Questions: We know that you might have many questions in relation to the program. It is our goal to be able to support you throughout the process of deciding in enrolling all the way through the time you arrive until departure.
Click Here to goto the FAQ Page. If you have any other specific questions please email us.
Service Projects
The CREER Service Organization continually strives to do in depth research to understand the true needs of the people in the villages of Costa Rica which we visit. Because of this, the service projects that we will partake in on this trip will not be known until 2-3 months prior to the trip when we assess the current needs. In most villages we will have the opportunity to work in 3 different areas:
-renovation on a primary structure in a village
(ie. the school, community center, church, medical center)
-work on the land (reforestation, planting gardens, compost, etc.)
-Inter-cultural Exchange
(working and sharing with the children and families in the villages)
Registration
In order to register please contact Raylene Gerber: rgbaskets@aol.com
Once your payment is processed you will receive an information and registration packet.
Payments
The payment plan is as follows:
June 15: First payment of $780.00
September 15: Second payment of $780.00
January 15: Third payment $785.00
Preferred payment will be made through personal check and will be handled by Raylene Gerber: rgbaskets@aol.com.
If payment is needed to be made by credit card, this can be done through paypal.
If you have any questions about payment or the deadlines please contact Raylene.
Cancellations
All Payments are Non-Refundable unless specifically noted.
If interested please email:
Joshua Canter: joshua@truenaturecommunity.org (Costa Rica Contact)
or Raylene Gerber: rgbaskets@aol.com (MJS/US Contact)
Note: Arrivals and Departures are from the San Jose InternationalAirport (SJO) in San Jose, Costa Rica. From the airport we will organize lodging (included)and transportation for all retreat participants. The trip to Arenal from San Jose is approximately 3 hours, to Matapalo is 5 hours. This trip is offered in partnership with The CREER Service Organization and MJS. Tuitions are not tax-deductible.
