EDUCATIONAL TRAVEL TOURS
 SCHOOL TRIPS FOR TEACHERS & STUDENTS

TOUR FEE:  10 Days $3000 PER PERSON                                                        ASK ABOUT "GREEN SEASON" DISCOUNT TRAVELS

LENGTH:  10 days
  * For every 10 people booked a chaperone is FREE
  * Reserve early for holiday & spring break travel periods

ITINERARY:
Day 1   Start Tour San Jose (Coffee Growing Region)
Day 2   San José-- Lake Arenal
Day 3   Arenal Volcano Landmarks (Hot Springs & Waterfall)
Day 4   Arenal- Monteverde Cloud Forest (Sky Trek Canopy Tour)
Day 5   Monteverde Cloud Forest-- Tamarindo Beach
Day 6   Tamarindo Beach (Surf or Kayak)                                           Day 7   Tamarindo Beach (Catamaran Sunset Cruise)
Day 8   Las Baulas National Park (Giant Leatherback Turtles)
Day 9   Tamarindo Beach- San José
Day 10  San Jose--End Tour (Fly Home)

INCLUDES:
· Round-trip Airfare (All Major U.S. & Canadian Cities)
· All Meals
· Professional Tour Director
· Guided Sightseeing Tours
· Sky Trek Canopy Tour
· Kayaking
· Horseback Riding
· Surfing
· Tour Diary (Create a Video)

Costa Rica offers visiting students intense and a naturally rugged adventure. Our school trips will start in San Jose- which is known to be one of Central America's most cosmopolitan cities. We will visit some of the cultural sites in this beautiful city, including the local coffee growing regions. 

Students will get the opportunity of a lifetime, when we visit one of the world's most active volcanoes, Arenal. At Arenal Volcano students will be able to watch the orange lava flow, right from our rustic accommodations at the Arenal Observatory Lodge, which also overlooks the natural beauty of Lake Arenal.  While in this region students will get to participate in hot spring tours and Costa Rica's best canopy zip line tour!  A totally unique view, zipping from platform to platform, high above the wondrous flora and fauna which lies far below! You will be hanging with the local monkeys and birds on this eco tour! The views are simply incredible, and on clear days you can see the Atlantic Ocean to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west!!!

The educational tour will then head to the Cloud Forests of Monteverde, where emerald and scarlet quetzal birds will be seen poking out from tree trunks, in the vine-draped Monteverde Cloud Forests. The University of Georgia has a campus here, where we will get the opportunity to learn about the various research projects taking place in the Cloud Forests of Monte Verde, which is one of the most ecologically diverse regions on the planet- PURA VIDA!

Then our tour will head to the beautiful beaches of the Pacific Ocean, in the NW Province of Guanacaste. We will be staying in the surf community of Tamarindo, where we will get to participate in a bunch of great water and beach activities. This visit will also include a guided Sea Turtle Tour, to Las Baulas National Park, in neighboring Playa Grande. Playa Grande is known to be the third largest Sea Turtle nesting area in the entire world. The white sand beaches of the Guanacaste Province are truly remarkable, providing some of the best surf action in the entire world! This is always one of the favorite destinations for visiting tourists and students alike!

SDPUS will help with providing ideas for some great fundraising programs to help interested classes earn money for a future school trip to Costa Rica. We can't wait to show you why Costa Rica has become one of the most exciting & popular "green" eco-educational destinations in all of the world!

SDPUS will customize all of the itinerary, to meet all the individual needs of each visiting group. All of our tours combine off-the-beaten track activities, that are totally unique to a Costa Rican adventure, and educational experience. Be sure to check out our most popular itineraries for some great ideas, or contact us directly, so we can help create the ideal educational adventure for your group. 

SDPUS also has many other travel options that are available. We will work with all teachers, from beginning to end, completely customizing the perfect itinerary. Our co-planned itinerary will be sure to meet all of your students academic and personal needs, while also ensuring everyone's complete safety. Your students will love visiting & learning about this beautiful eco-paradise!

STUDENT TRIPS CAN INCLUDE:  

HIKE THROUGH THE RAINFOREST- Get to know the flora and fauna of Costa Rica's gorgeous yet threatened habitat by walking through it! Visit popular parks and remote wildlife reserves throughout this ecologically diverse country.

RIDE THE RIVER RAPIDS THROUGH THE LUSH RAINFOREST- Students will get to head to the banks of the Pacuare River for an unforgettable day of white water rafting on class III and IV rapids. This scenic river slices through virgin rainforest and plunges through mountain gorges, dropping some of the most beautiful waterfalls- right alongside your raft.

CAMP AT A REMOTE BEACHFRONT ORGANIC FARM- A private farm (Finca) at Monkey Point provides an exercise in sustainable living, and in an absolutely gorgeous and remote setting. Spend the days harvesting fruits and vegetables from the organic gardens while awaiting the catch from the area's local fisherman. During the days view dolphins playing off-shore, ride the sea kayak through a mangrove-lined lagoon and create arts and crafts from natural materials. After nightfall walk the beach in hopes of observing a nesting leatherback turtle.

LEARN ABOUT INDIGENOUS CULTURE- While hiking through the Kekoldi Indigenous Reserve with a native Bribri guide, students will learn about the history, culture and customs of the Bribri people, one of the few remaining indigenous groups in Costa Rica. After a short hike through primary & secondary rainforest, arrive at the community's "common house" and see how the Bribri make everything from crafts to chocolate. Students learn about their connection to the forest and the environmental threats to their way of life. A native lunch is served with all ingredients coming from the reserve!

ZIP THROUGH THE CANOPY- Traverse from tree to tree using pulleys on horizontal traverse cables. This unique and exhilarating experience allows you to sail through the treetops of the canopy and over the trails far below. Expert guides assist you in this exciting journey through the different layers of the virgin cloud forests and explain the orchids and exotic birdlife that surrounds you.

WITNESS THE ARENAL VOLCANO- Bathe in delightful hot springs at the base of Costa Rica's most active volcano. Witness red lava flows from the volcano observatory lookout.

REFRESH YOUR SPIRIT AT BREATHTAKING WATERFALLS- Hike through forests to hidden waterfalls where invigorating pools await.

SNORKEL ON FANTASTIC CORAL REEFS- Ride by boat to the beautiful coral reefs off the Bocas del Toro archipelago in nearby Panama.

TASTE LOCAL CUISINES AND RARE TROPICAL FRUITS- Everywhere we go, meals will reflect regional specialties and locally grown crops. Delight in fresh fruits not readily available in North America.

EcoClassroom
SDPUS School Trips create experiences through which teachers and students can personally connect with the natural wonders of the Earth, as well as with some of the problems facing the rainforests. In addition, guests are introduced to some solutions created to preserve, sustain and develop tropical rainforest land.

Student travelers will enjoy the benefits of our many years of connections with the people and the land of Costa Rica. Our mission, to help grow a new generation of eco-conscious world citizens, is exemplified in the support, honor & friendship we offer to our local family.

Here on our web site, we have gathered information to help you plan your special school trip to Costa Rica, with other Latin American countries to soon follow. You can view detailed trip itineraries. Our student travel packages are designed to provide the deepest experience and the least amount of effort for the teacher.

Information for Teachers
As fellow educators, we know that experiential learning is one of the best ways    for students to really engage in the entire learning process. Costa Rica provides   an ideal opportunity to open students' minds and get them excited about learning through its vast biodiversity, array of natural wonders, and diversity of cultures. 

                          FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:        

WHO IS THIS TRIP FOR?   SDPUS learning excursions are geared mainly towards groups of teachers and students. Typically, teachers learn about one of our programs, and decide that the experience would be beneficial to students from either a particular class or the entire student body. Teachers from Biology,  Environmental Science, Spanish and Social Studies departments have found our trip to be an ideal compliment to their curriculum. We have worked with groups from public and independent schools, from junior high through university. While it is usually easiest for a teacher to organize a trip and recruit the students, sometimes the students themselves decide they would like to travel  to Costa Rica and initiate the organization process.

WHAT ARE THE DATES?  We customize all of our trips to meet the needs of individual group. Therefore, we will work around the dates that work best for your group. Most school travel groups go during regular school vacations or mini-semesters, as well as during summer break. Our busiest season is from December through August.

DO I HAVE TO GO WITH MY SCHOOL?  Not necessarily, we also organize other kinds of excursions. Every July & August SDPUS offers a special three week summer program, for any interested high school students. SDPUS can plan ecological adventures for everyone, including interested families, groups of friends and clubs.                                                                                                                               WHAT IS THE ACADEMIC FOCUS OF THE SCHOOL TRIP?  The purpose of our school tour is to expose our guests to the natural and cultural beauty of Costa Rica, while also witnessing the problems facing MANY of its ecosystems. Through out the tour, students are exposed to local and international solutions to these problems, by meeting local peoples and indigenous groups who are engaged daily in dealing with the issues. The purpose of the travel tour is for students to feel connected to the natural world, and to realize the important role they all play in protecting it.

For Spanish classes from abroad, visits can be arranged with local Costa Rican schools, to meet with local students of the same age. School visits can provide an additional opportunity to practice Spanish and gain first hand insight into what life may be like for a Costa Rican teenager.

Service learning projects often add an exciting element to our excursions allowing groups to interact more closely with the local community, while sometimes also volunteering and providing some much needed service. SDPUS projects have included creating recycle programs, beach clean-ups, school beautification & creating & installing eco-type technologies, for rural communities to both learn & benefit from the outside volunteer help!   

HOW CAN I ORGANIZE A TRIP?  It's so very easy! After you chose the dates, we will discuss your goals for the visit and cultural experience, and then create an itinerary together. SDPUS will work on all of the logistical details, including air reservations. Your main responsibility in the organization process will be to excite others about the experience so that you have a group ready to travel, learn, and enjoy.

                                                                                                          PROCESS FOR PLANNING A COSTA RICAN ADVENTURE:   

1. DECIDE THAT YOU WANT TO GO- Review the information and consider whether our experiences are consistent with your educational objectives and other goals. Read the itineraries & Frequently Asked Questions. Talk with your friends that have traveled on similar journeys or contact our references. For any other considerations, please contact us with your questions.

2. CHOOSE THE DATES- Choose your dates as soon as possible so that we can start the planning process. This also allows parents and students to start to save up and/or raise funds. Many groups choose to travel during spring breaks or summer vacation but we are available year-round. We will set the dates according to your schedule.

3. GET PERMISSION FROM YOUR SCHOOL BOARD- Many of our teachers have gone through this process without difficulty. We are happy to answer any questions your administration may have about the trip, such insurance, safety, rules, and regulations. For your convenience, we have compiled an informational packet about the trip and its educational value to, help you plan a presentation. Contact us for more information.

4. BUILD YOUR CUSTOMIZED ITINERARY- Review once more the core itineraries we’ve provided to decide which one works for you; these are the nuts-and-bolts of the adventure. Then review the other additional itinerary options sheet to get an overview of the different regions, and any additional activities of interest. Consider whether you’d like to add to your own itinerary and contact us with your ideas so we can customize your trip. We will work with you to make sure it stays within your budget.

5. WE WILL MAKE YOUR AIRFARE ARRANGEMENTS TOO- After you give us the dates, the departure city, and the estimated number of travelers, we can hold tickets for your group for up to six weeks before a small deposit is required. This allows flexibility during the recruitment process. For travel during the peak season (President's Day and Easter weeks), early booking is advised.

6. RECRUIT STUDENTS FROM YOUR SCHOOL TO GO- SDPUS will help to make this part of your job very easy, by sending you our video and promotional materials. First, decide which group of students you would like to target. Some teachers open the trip to all of their own students, while others focus on all Biology or Spanish students or Science Club members. This is entirely up to you. Some recruitment ideas include:
* Organizing a viewing of the video for interested students, with Q&A         
* Promoting the trip on school announcements, radio or network
* Sending a letter to all parents (We have a sample to send you)
* Putting an ad in the school newspaper
* Hanging posters around the school (sample included in packet)
* Asking other teachers to play the video in their classrooms
* Playing the video in the lunchroom during breaks

7. ORGANIZE FUNDRAISING EFFORTS- The earlier you start and the more creative you get the better! We have had groups that raised 100% of the trip's cost, with a variety of means. Some of our others have gotten local businesses to support their efforts, while others have sold tickets to a fundraising dinner, some groups have held auctions and raffles.

8. COLLECT PAYMENTS & REGISTRATION FORMS- We will send you our registration form and waiver for you to distribute and collect from your students. We will also send you a clear payment schedule to distribute  to students and parents. It is the organizer's responsibility to collect all of the payments from each student, and then forward us one check from the school or a personal bank account. We generally require a $250 per person, exchangeable, non-refundable deposit early in the planning process. The final payment is due ten weeks before departure. It is important to send us all forms and rosters by their due dates. We will send you a schedule and checklist to help you keep track.

9. MAKE FINAL PREPARATIONS- Once all the details are in place, including your customized itinerary, the flight arrangements, accommodations, and activities, we will send you a finalized packet for each student including a packing list, a detailed description of the itinerary, and other pre-trip information. In addition, we will include a copy of our newly developed "Walking Lightly" booklet for each traveler. This guidebook was created to help our guests deepen their understanding of some of the places and people we visit on our programs and also encourage them to apply their learning to their daily lives. We are always available for questions and to help prepare you and your group before the trip begins as best we can. With all in place, you will then be ready to meet your hosts and guides in Costa Rica for a fantastic educational journey!

As educators, we know that experience is the best way for students to engage in the learning process. Costa Rica provides the perfect opportunity to help open students minds and to get them excited about learning through its biodiversity, vast array of natural wonders, and diversity of cultures. SDPUS travel programs are germane to a wide range of subjects, including Science, Spanish and Social Studies. We will help tailor your trip to meet your educational objectives.

Some think planning an educational travel excursion to Costa Rica is logistically troublesome and overwhelming. Actually, the steps are very simple! SDPUS will handle all of the details before and during the trip so that you, the teacher, can focus on the educational experience of your students, and have a great time in Costa Rica too!

10. RAISING MONEY FOR YOUR TRIP- If you start early enough, fundraising for your trip can be an extremely successful way of getting the kids excited, educating them on environmental and cross cultural principles, and showing the parents and the community great enthusiasm for the project.

Some of our past groups have become quite creative in their fundraising plans. One of our Canadian groups paid for the entire trip by selling citrus! Another group put together a Costa Rican/Tropical Dinner. They charged admission & served tropical fruits, Costa Rican foods, and fresh fruit drinks. They had a Latin band, had speakers on the issues that the students would come across & included a raffle with gifts donated by local businesses. One group organized donations from community and family members of valuable objects for the group to sell on eBay.

Another group of students asked local companies to sponsor their visit and then in exchange for their donation, the students wrote articles in the local newspaper following the trip-- & it included a “Thanks to” section, to help highlight the businesses that contributed. They also took group pictures in Costa Rica holding signs of the different businesses that sponsored them. An early start, along with a small dose of creativity, can make raising funds for this valuable experience much more easy! We also have some other successful fundraising ideas on file. 

Please let us know how we can help make Costa Rica a reality for you and your students to visit, we are more than happy to help out however we can in the process! Pura Vida!   
 

BELOW ARE SUGGESTIONS FOR FUNDRAISING THAT OUR STUDENT GROUPS HAVE DONE BEFORE VISITING IN SOME PREVIOUS YEARS:

Equal Exchange Fair Trade Organic Chocolates
Buy the bars for $1.95 and sell for $3-$4
(774) 776-7333
www.equalexchange.com

Café Humana Organic Fair Wage Costa Rican Coffee
$4-$5 per bag profit
(877) 220-4476
www.cafehumana.com

Grounds for Change Fair Trade Coffee
$4-$5 per bag profit
(800) 796-6820
www.groundsforchange.com

C-Rep Printer Cartridge Recycling
Turn Trash into Cash...get $1 for each cartridge
(800) 680-0008
www.c-rep.net/school.php

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                                              SDPUS SUMMER COURSES 2011 REGISTRATION

   INTERNSHIPS IN    COSTA RICA 

APPLICATION FORMS:   VOLUNTEER APPLICATION    CONTRACT AGREEMENT INTERN APPLICATION  INNOVATIVE SCHOOLS