From June 19 to June 26, two science teachers will be hosting a trip to Costa Rica, where attending students will learn about the culture and nature of the island.

Throughout their seven-day trip, the group will visit four locations, beginning in Alajuela, a local city. All four locations, including Sarapiqui, the Arenal Region, and Guanacaste, offer unique experiences and places. They will be able to go on a variety of tours to immerse themselves in the ecology and culture of Costa Rica.

“[I am] just really excited to experience Costa Rica,” chemistry teacher Lauren Lemke said. The group will have the opportunity to take tours of both a coffee and cocoa farm while in Sarapiqui. They will be able to zipline over a canopy to gain a unique perspective of the rainforest. Before visiting the Tirimbina Biological Reserve, the group will go on a whitewater rafting excursion.

“[I am] most excited to go Whitewater rafting; it seems like it will be a lot of fun, and [it is] something new I get to try,” sophomore Kasia Sallans said. After leaving Sarapiqui, the group will go into the Arenal Region of Costa Rica. During a tour around the Arenal Volcano National Park, the students and staff will hike to the hot springs and near the La Fortuna Waterfall. While in the Arenal Region, they will learn about the ecology of the active Arenal volcano that defines the region.

“It was not just a lot of fun because everybody had a great time, [and] every day we did really fun stuff, but it was also very educational,” Woods said. Throughout the whole trip, the students are given countless opportunities to learn about and explore Costa Rica. While touring the Tirimbina Biological Reserve, exploring the history of chocolate, and learning about the cocoa tree. The group is visiting a large variety of national parks throughout their trip. In their last location, Guanacaste, they are visiting both Rincon de la Vieja National Park and Palo Verde National Park. They are ending their trip by going on a snorkeling activity, where they can explore the water around Costa Rica.

“It seemed like it would be a really fun experience. I really enjoy swimming and traveling on tropical and warmer vacations, and now I get to do it all with friends,” Sallans said. The group will spend the entire trip together. The activities they participate in are meant to emphasize teamwork.

“I am excited about how the student group is going to come together as a team,” biology teacher Jennifer Woods said.