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2020 Middle & High School Trip
Trip dates: Saturday, July 18 - July 28, 2020 *See specific details here.
Through our school programs, Go Tico! takes middle school groups on immersion trips to various locations in Costa Rica. Providing a comfortable balance of community integration in a rural town and "tourist" time, our student programs:
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Allow for ample practice of Spanish skills
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Incorporate volunteerism as a way to both make friendships and give back to the host community
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Expose students to a different culture, foods and way of life
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Educate students about local industries
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Explore regional natural areas to appreciate the flora and fauna of Costa Rica
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Are coordinated and hosted start to finish by Go Tico! staff
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Build life-long friendships through life-changing experiences
What Go Tico! Offers
We coordinate your trip, start to finish. All itinerary details, travel booking, transportation, and pre-departure meetings are coordinated and run by our staff. Go Tico! directors Sara & Johel, the primary chaperones, have both lived in Costa Rica and are well versed in all aspects of coordinating safe group travel. Through collaboration with several small Costa Rican communities with which they have deep, close ties, Sara and/or Johel arrange and attend all components of travel to truly engage and immerse students in less-traveled areas of this beautiful country.
Teacher Chaperones
Periodically, Go Tico! looks for teachers to assist with middle school student groups. All teacher chaperones recieve flight, room & board free of charge, as well as an incredible experience! A teacher who commits to attend a Go Tico! trip takes on several key responsibilities to make the trip a success.
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Build a good rapport with students and families, a flexible, fun attitude and a sense of adventure
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Attend all pre-trip meetings and fundraising activities (~4 )
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During the trip, be available 24/7 for students and participate in all activities
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Be the designated photographer (camera can be provided), uploading all photos for sharing immediately following the trip
Middle School
Middle School
Go Tico! Middle School trips offer students the opportunity to spend 10 days living and teaching English & art enrichment projects in the 300-person community of La Flor at the local elementary school. Given the small size of the community, La Flor has not received an English teacher for their school, despite the government requiring English classes in all schools. Go Tico! students live with host families in the community and engage extensively with the children and community members both in and outside the classroom, cooking, playing soccer, or maybe strolling to the nearby town for an ice cream. Students also engage in one "day-away" to explore local industry, flora and fauna at wildlife rescues or pineapple plantations as well as an overnight at various national parks and biological reserves in the region. Middle School students also contribute to the elementary school library, an initiative supported by Go Tico!, through a community-building, pre-trip fundraiser.
Fundraising
Go Tico! is committed to providing students with limited resources the opportunity to participate in school trips through partial trip scholarships. Each Go Tico! middle school trip cohort is required to hold a fundraiser several months before the trip with 100% hands-on support from Sara & Johel to help raise funds for two initiatives:
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Student scholarships based on financial need
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Service project supplies
Go Tico! staff works closely with the participating students, parents and chaperones to coordinate, promote and run the trip fundraiser. 100% of proceeds are allocated toward materials needed for the service project (ie. books for a library) and scholarships for future participants at your school.
Go Tico! fundraisers are hands-on, educate both participants and supporters about Costa Rica, and most importantly, they are a fun community-builder for the students and chaperones pre-trip!
Sample Itinerary*
Day 1: Travel to San Jose, Costa Rica
Overnight stay in cabins or hotel outside of San Jose, Rest & Relax
Day 2: Travel to Community
Visit La Paz waterfall en route, meet homestay families, walking tour of town, community night ice breaker activity
Day 3, 4, 6, 7: Service Project in Community
Daytime work in the town, afternoon time to hang out with Ticos, evening community events
Day 5: Pineapple Plantation Tour & Animal Refuge Visit
Guided tour and tasting of the best pineapple ever, viewing and feeding Costa Rican rescued wildlife
Day 8, 9: Travel to Juan Castro Blanco National Park or La Selva Biological Reserve
Overnight stay in park side lodging, hiking in park or reserve
Day 10: Last day in Community, Travel home!
Farewell potluck and departure
Interested?
Get information here.
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