Global Works – Costa Rica: Middle School Service Adventure

Middle schoolers experience the best of Costa Rica while staying in safe, locally owned lodges near San José, La Fortuna, and the Pacific coast. With private bathrooms, group spaces, and eco-friendly amenities, students enjoy a fun, supportive environment perfect for bonding, learning, and adventure in the mountains, rainforest, and at surf camp.

Middle schoolers will experience an exciting and immersive journey through Costa Rica that combines adventure, service, and cultural exchange. The program begins in the Central Valley with orientation, team-building games, and a thrilling whitewater rafting adventure, along with fun and engaging Spanish language lessons. Students then travel to a rural community to work on local service projects such as school improvements and community infrastructure. They’ll connect with local children through games, cooking, and cultural activities, and visit a nearby cheese farm to learn about permaculture and Costa Rican agriculture. In the rainforest, students volunteer at a wildlife sanctuary, helping care for animals and maintain facilities, and enjoy an exhilarating zip-line tour and waterfall visit. The final days are spent at a Pacific coast surf camp, where students learn to surf with professional instructors, participate in a yoga session, and plant trees as part of a reforestation effort. The program wraps up with a special celebration and reflection before the group departs for home.