The goal of our Project Costa Rica Community Service programs is not only to help the local community, but also for our participants to learn about themselves and to grow through their experiences. Upon completion of Project Costa Rica, each participant will receive a certificate recognizing 40 hours of community service credit (14-day program) or 56 hours of community service credit (20-day program). Our participants volunteer with the same project throughout the week for four hours per day, in order to create meaningful bonds between our volunteers and those they are helping.
Volunteer at an Orphanage/School Project
Experience a life-changing summer as you volunteer part of your time at a local orphanage and part of your time at a local elementary school. The orphanage is a professionally managed safe haven for infants, toddlers, and young children who have been removed from their homes due to reasons such as malnutrition and neglect. During the first week of this project, our volunteers will work at the orphanage. Our volunteers' responsibilities at the orphanage include painting and improving the orphanage's buildings and property, spending quality time playing and bonding with the children, and helping the staff with daily responsibilities. The second part of this project takes place at a local elementary school. Projects may include painting murals on the school's walls and improving the general condition of the classrooms. Our participants may also have an opportunity to spend some time with the school’s children during their recess periods (please note that this is at the discretion of the school’s teachers and principal). At both projects, each teenager will participate in each of the volunteer activities. Both projects offer a unique opportunity to learn first-hand the hardships many young people in the world face, and to give back to underprivileged children growing up under challenging circumstances. Bring your energy, enthusiasm, and an open-mind and help change the lives of Costa Rica's children.
Volunteer at a Wildlife Rescue Center
Volunteering at the Wildlife Rescue Center, located on an 8-acre reserve on the edge of the rainforest, is a meaningful opportunity to care for abandoned and injured wildlife. The mission of the center is the care and eventual release of the animals into their natural habitats. Resident wildlife has included monkeys, kinkajous, peccaries, sloths, parrots, and other exotic animals. Our volunteers will work side-by-side with compassionate professionals in this government-supported sanctuary. Our participants' responsibilities include feeding the animals, cleaning the animals' living quarters, and working on long-term projects that benefit the rescue center and its inhabitants. In past summers our projects have included building new enclosures, painting the property's buildings, clearing new pathways through the jungle, and improving the general condition of the rescue center. Each volunteer will participate in each activity throughout the program. Due to our hard work and commitment to each task, the rescue center is able provide a better quality of life to their residents.
**Please note that due to local laws in Costa Rica, non-professionals and visitors are not permitted to directly handle any of the animals on-site.
Volunteer at a Dog Sanctuary
If you love dogs, this is the place for you! Lend your heart, time, and energy to an incredible dog sanctuary, home to 80 dogs looking for their forever homes. Nestled in the lush, green landscape of La Fortuna, the dog sanctuary relies on the support and time of volunteers, as well as financial contributions from the public to give these deserving dogs a loving home at the sanctuary until they are permanently adopted. Here you will walk, play, feed, bathe, clean and groom the dogs, as well as help with projects that will benefit the sanctuary and improve the lives of the dogs. Thanks to the hard work and commitment of our volunteers, the dog sanctuary is able to provide extra love, care and attention to the dogs. This is truly the experience of a lifetime – one you will never forget! For dog lovers, only.
**This project is only available on the 20-day program.
Volunteer at a Day-Care Center
The Cen-Cinai Center, or "Cen" as it is known locally, is a government-funded organization that aims to create optimal conditions for education and development in impoverished communities of Costa Rica. The center’s objectives are to give pre-kindergarten children that live in poverty the opportunity to develop their physical, intellectual, and social potential. During the first week of the 20-day program**, our volunteers will work on projects that improve the general condition of the Center (the children are not at the Cen this week due to schools being closed in Costa Rica). Our volunteers have helped by participating in several projects: painting and improving the buildings and classrooms, planting new flowers and plants to beautify the grounds, and rebuilding the playgrounds on the property. During the second and third weeks of the 20-day program, when school is back in session, our participants will also have an opportunity to spend some time with the center’s children, helping the local teachers with various tasks. Each volunteer will participate in each activity, every day. This is a great opportunity to improve the quality of life for Costa Rican children.
**Please note that schools in Costa Rica are open during both weeks of the 14-day program and volunteers will participate in all of the above activities.
Volunteer at an Elementary School
With a literacy rate of 96%, Costa Ricans take education very seriously. This is your opportunity to improve a local elementary school in several meaningful ways. During the first week of the 20-day program**, our volunteers will work on projects that improve the general condition of the school (the children are not present this week due to schools being closed in Costa Rica). Projects may include painting murals on the school's walls, planting eco-friendly gardens and plants, and improving the general condition of the classrooms and property. During the second and third weeks of the 20-day program, when school is in session, our participants may also have an opportunity to spend some time with the school’s children during their recess periods (please note that this is at the discretion of the school’s teachers and principal). Every project we are asked to do helps bring a sense of pride to the local children and residents in their schools. Each volunteer will participate in each activity throughout the program. This is a wonderful opportunity to leave a lasting impact on the local children.
**Please note that schools in Costa Rica are open during both weeks of the 14-day program and volunteers will participate in all of the above activities.
Service Details
- Summer Community Service participants volunteer with the same project for the length of the program in order to fully realize the importance of their project from beginning to end.
- Participants volunteer Monday - Friday, four hours per day, for the duration of the program, earning 40 or 56 hours of Summer Community Service credit.
- Service project space is limited at each volunteer site, so project selections are granted following your date of enrollment, based on a first-come, first-served basis.
- The goal of community service is not only to give back to the local community but also for our participants to learn and grow through their experiences.
Project Costa Rica 14-Day Option
Our 14-day Project Costa Rica summer community service program is an amazing opportunity for high school students to earn 40 hours of community service credit. Our participants volunteer in the town of La Fortuna during the week for four hours per day. This helps create meaningful bonds between the teens and those they are helping. Three days per week, in the afternoon, each teenager chooses a fun and enriching afternoon elective. During the weekend our group travels to the beach, participating in exciting activities and taking in the beauty of this awe-inspiring country.
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Our 14-Day Project Costa Rica program is an incredible opportunity to immerse yourself in a new culture and experience a different world amidst the beautiful natural setting of this magnificent country. You should come to the program with an open mind and positive attitude, excited about new experiences, ready to fully participate in volunteer work and our exciting adventures, and willing to challenge yourself to step out of your comfort zone. Each one of our teenagers is a partner in making our trip through Costa Rica a once-in-a-lifetime experience!
Choose one of the following Community Service Programs:
Each participant chooses from several Afternoon Electives while in La Fortuna:
Enjoy amazing LOCAL ACTIVITIES IN ARENAL, and an EXCITING WEEKEND EXCURSION throughout Costa Rica.
Group Size:
The 14-Day Project Costa Rica summer community service program accommodates up to 30 participants, which fosters expanded social interactions and friendships within the group during evening and local activities in La Fortuna and during our exciting weekend adventures. Each community service project typically consists of 8 - 12 participants, which enables our teenagers to benefit from small group interaction at the service projects.
Accommodation:
Hotel Los Lagos is our home away from home in Costa Rica. All rooms are doubles and consist of private bathrooms, air-conditioning, cable television, refrigerators, and safety deposit boxes. The hotel provides amenities such as daily housekeeping, swimming pools, natural hot springs, full-service restaurant, hiking trails, gift shop, and laundry facilities. During the weekend excursion to Guanacaste, we stay at the beautiful Tamarindo Diria (for more information, see the Weekend Excursions page).
Meals:
While staying at Hotel Los Lagos, our group eats most meals at the hotel. There is always a variety of choices at every meal, from American-style options to traditional Costa Rican cuisine. There is always something to eat for every type of diet. Occasionally we will dine in town, allowing our summer community service participants to enjoy local flavor. During our weekend excursion, 3 meals per day are provided at our hotel and in local restaurants.
Staff:
Our summer community service staff members are teachers and graduate students who are committed to Project Cost Rica’s ideals of volunteering and giving back to the global community. Rein Community Service staff members are always present at each service site. All staff members attend our professional training workshops where the emphasis is placed on the safety and well being of our teenage volunteers. Program leaders are trained in Basic First Aid and CPR. Our bi-lingual volunteer coordinators additionally staff all service sites.
Transportation:
Project Costa Rica Community Service uses professionally driven buses and vans to transfer our participants to their various projects and activities. During the weekend excursion, we utilize professionally driven coach buses. There is no additional fee for transporting participants to and from Juan Santamaria International Airport in San Jose.
Communication:
The Rein Communication Center is available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week throughout the program. Teenagers are permitted to bring cell phones and can use wifi when available.
Project Costa Rica 20-Day Option
Our 20-day Project Costa Rica summer community service program is an amazing opportunity for high school students to earn 56 hours of community service credit. Our participants volunteer in the town of La Fortuna during the week for four hours per day. This helps create meaningful bonds between the teens and those they are helping. Three days per week, in the afternoon, each teenager chooses a fun and enriching afternoon elective. During each weekend our group travels to different areas of Costa Rica, participating in exciting activities and taking in the beauty of this awe-inspiring country.
Our 20-Day Project Costa Rica program is an incredible opportunity to immerse yourself in a new culture and experience a different world amidst the beautiful natural setting of this magnificent country. You should come to the program with an open mind and positive attitude, excited about new experiences, ready to fully participate in volunteer work and our exciting adventures, and willing to challenge yourself to step out of your comfort zone. Each one of our teenagers is a partner in making our trip through Costa Rica a once-in-a-lifetime experience!
Choose one of the following Community Service Programs:
Each participant chooses from several Afternoon Electives while in La Fortuna:
Enjoy amazing LOCAL ACTIVITIES IN ARENAL, and EXCITING WEEKEND EXCURSIONS throughout Costa Rica.
Group Size:
The 20-day Project Costa Rica summer community service program accommodates up to 40 participants, which fosters expanded social interactions and friendships within the group during evening and local activities in La Fortuna and during our exciting weekend adventures. Each community service project typically consists of 8-12 participants, which enables our teenagers to benefit from small group interaction at the service projects.
Accommodation:
While we volunteer in La Fortuna, Hotel Los Lagos is our home away from home. All rooms are doubles and consist of private bathrooms, air-conditioning, cable television, refrigerators, and safety deposit boxes. The hotel provides amenities such as daily housekeeping, swimming pools, natural hot springs, full-service restaurant, hiking trails, gift shop, and laundry facilities. During the weekend excursions, we stay at different hotels in great locations (for more information, see the Weekend Excursions page).
Meals:
While staying at Hotel Los Lagos, our group eats most meals at the hotel. There is always a variety of choices at every meal, from American-style options to traditional Costa Rican cuisine. There is always something to eat for every type of diet. Occasionally we will dine in town, allowing our summer community service participants to enjoy local flavor. When our group is traveling, 3 meals per day are provided at our hotels and in local restaurants.
Staff:
Our summer community service staff members are teachers and graduate students who are committed to Project Cost Rica’s ideals of volunteering and giving back to the global community. Rein Community Service staff members are always present at each service site. All staff members attend our professional training workshops where the emphasis is placed on the safety and well being of our teenage volunteers. Program leaders are trained in Basic First Aid and CPR. Our bi-lingual volunteer coordinators additionally staff all service sites.
Transportation:
Project Costa Rica Community Service uses professionally driven buses and vans to transfer our participants to their various projects and activities. During the weekend excursions, we utilize professionally driven coach buses. There is no additional fee for transporting participants to and from Juan Santamaria International Airport in San Jose.
Communication:
The Rein Communication Center is available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week throughout the program. Teenagers are permitted to bring cell phones and can use wifi when available.
Hotel Los Lagos, located just minutes from the town of La Fortuna, is our home away from home in Costa Rica. All rooms at Hotel Los Lagos are doubles and consist of private bathrooms, air-conditioning, cable television, refrigerators, and safety deposit boxes. Each day, our summer community service participants get to enjoy all the resort has to offer. The hotel provides amenities such as daily housekeeping, swimming pools, natural hot springs, full-service restaurant, hiking trails, gift shop, and laundry facilities.
La Fortuna de San Carlos, situated at the eastern edge of the Arenal Volcano, is one of the most popular destinations in Costa Rica. Surrounded by beautiful natural landscapes and unspoiled rainforest, the area has developed as a magnet for adventurers, nature lovers, and assorted travelers from around the world. Fortuna is home to international restaurants, bilingual medical clinics, pharmacies, grocery stores, and shops to suit every taste. Even with this influx of travelers, Fortuna has maintained its sense of what is known locally as "Pura Vida" – friendly, laidback, and peaceful. This is truly the perfect place for Project Costa Rica community service.
Each Project Costa Rica Community Service participant selects one of the following activities as an afternoon elective. Each elective operates for three afternoons per week. The other two weekdays are spent doing fun activities in the surrounding area. All of our electives are operated in conjunction with local instructors and professionals for a safe and enjoyable experience.
Soccer Program
Soccer is the most popular sport in all of Costa Rica. There is no better place to improve your game. Your local coach will help improve your skills through drills and matches. All skill levels are welcome and each participant must supply his or her own soccer shoes and shin-guards.
Digital Photography
Costa Rica’s magnificent natural environment is the perfect place to improve your knowledge of digital photography. Along with your instructor, you will spend time each day taking photographs and learning how to better use your camera. Each participant must supply his or her own digital camera.
Yoga Instruction
Surrounded by the sights and sounds of nature, Costa Rica is a prime location to enlighten your body and mind through yoga. Our instructor will instill in her students feelings of strength, peace, openness, and overall well-being. No previous yoga experience is necessary.
Costa Rica Days
Experience all that the rainforest has to offer! Each day will bring a new experience, with participants engaging in awesome adventures throughout the area. Some of the incredible activities include an exhilarating waterfall canyoning tour, biking through the lush countryside, tubing down the Arenal River, and hiking to the famous La Fortuna Waterfalls. No outdoor adventure experience is necessary - just the desire to explore and have fun!
** $375 supplemental fee - 20-day program
** $250 supplemental fee - 14-day program
The Arenal Volcano area is known for its exciting adventures and activities. Each Project Costa Rica Community Service participant will have the opportunity to participate in the following activities…
14 & 20 Day Program Activities
Rainforest Zip-Line Tour
We will experience the ultimate Costa Rican adventure as we zip through the rainforest on our incredible canopy tour. Fly through the tree-tops, cross over canyons, and cruise over waterfalls on 11 different ziplines as you experience the thrill of a lifetime!
Whitewater Rafting Adventure
Run the rapids on our exciting white-water rafting adventure. Enjoy an action-packed day of fun and excitement as we splash through rapids such as Gringo’s Hole, Air Force, and Confusion!
Hanging Bridges Rainforest Experience
Walk into the rainforest on the Arenal Hanging Bridges tour, one the most beautiful and environmentally-friendly projects in Costa Rica. We will hike through the dense canopy and cross 14 suspension bridges as we have the opportunity to see different types of wildlife, including monkeys and sloths! With volcano views looming in the background, this is one experience you will never forget!
Explore Natural Hot Springs
We will be surrounded by lush tropical gardens and cascading waterfalls as we relax in Arenal’s geothermal hot springs. There is no better way to relax after a day of work and adventure.
Explore La Fortuna
Check out the shops and restaurants in the funky town of La Fortuna.
Twilight Safari Float
We will board our rafts as the sun sets and leaves us in the peaceful setting of the jungle. With guides using a special lighting system, our group will float down the Penas Blancas River listening and looking for the nocturnal wildlife of the rainforest.
A Typical Weekday at Project Costa Rica
Monday - Thursday
8:00am - 8:30am
Breakfast in the hotel restaurant
9:00am - 12:30pm
Volunteer Projects
1:00pm - 1:45pm
Lunch
2:15pm - 4:00pm
Afternoon Electives*
4:30pm - 6:00pm
Hotel time
6:15pm - 7:00pm
Dinner
7:30pm - 10:00pm
Evening Activities
*Every Wednesday afternoon the group participates in fun adventures throughout the Arenal Volcano area.
Friday
8:00am - 8:30am
Breakfast in the hotel restaurant
9:00am - 12:30pm
Volunteer Projects
1:00pm - 1:45pm
Lunch
2:30pm
Depart for Weekend Trips
14 Day Program Weekend Excursion
During our weekend travel excursion, our group travels to the beautiful Tamarindo Diria resort for a fun and relaxing weekend on the beautiful beaches of Costa Rica. Our ocean-front hotel allows easy access to pristine beaches and gorgeous sunsets over the Pacific Ocean. Learn to surf with our professional instructors on one of the world's best learn-to-surf waves, just down the beach from our hotel. Swim in our hotel's refreshing pools, eat in delicious restaurants, and experience what the Costa Ricans refer to as Pura Vida, the Pure Life!
20-Day Program Weekend Excursions
During our weekend travel excursion, our group travels to the beautiful Tamarindo Diria resort for a fun and relaxing weekend on the beautiful beaches of Costa Rica. Our ocean-front hotel allows easy access to pristine beaches and gorgeous sunsets over the Pacific Ocean. Learn to surf with our professional instructors on one of the world's best learn-to-surf waves, just down the beach from our hotel. Swim in our hotel's refreshing pools, eat in delicious restaurants, and experience what the Costa Ricans refer to as Pura Vida, the Pure Life!
Our second weekend finds us overlooking the warm waters of the Pacific Ocean at the beautiful Los Suenos Marriott Ocean Resort. We will relax on the resort's beaches, swim in refreshing pools, and work-out in the fitness center. A short drive away is one of Costa Rica's natural jewels, Manuel Antonio National Park. We will take an easy hike through the jungle on our way to magnificent beaches and unparalleled views of the Pacific Ocean.
