Costa Rica: The World's Greatest Classroom

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co sta rI ca

THE WORLD’S GREATEST CLASSROOM

co ntact us to be ent er e d to wIn a fr ee sp ot o n o ur p r o fe s s IonaL dev eLo p ment wo r ksh o p In costa rI ca

800-451-7111 | | holbrook.travel/more-to-see

Dear educator: For its relatively small size, Costa Rica offers a wealth of educational opportunities: it’s home to one of the highest densities of plant and animal species in the world, plus distinct geography, rich indigenous and colonial history, and friendly, welcoming people. It’s the perfect setting for students to take classroom concepts and apply them in the field, whether gathering data on sea turtle nesting sites, comparing tropical ecosystems, studying Spanish while staying with a tico family, or meeting farmers who practice sustainable agriculture.

Over the years, Costa Rica has become our home away from home. We’ve built strong relationships and explored its hidden corners, and we’ve helped thousands of educators and their students embark on life-changing journeys, transforming the way they perceive the world around them. Together with the Costa Rican Tourism Board, we invite you and your students to join us in exploring the enchantment of Costa Rica and its many wonders.

Pura vida!

an d r ea ho L b r o o k pre s I d ent, h o Lb r o o k tr ave L 2

The Costa Rican Tourism Board is committed to making Costa Rica a top sustainable tourism destination through strategies that benefit Costa Rican society as a whole. For more information go to visitcostarica.com

Photo by Dain Van Schoyck; Circle photo by Cameron Kelly

At Holbrook Travel, we believe that to travel is to learn; it’s a belief that has shaped our path for the last 40 years and one that will continue to drive us as we look ahead to the future. Costa Rica in particular has been central to our company’s story, as well as my family’s personal history. In 1984, my mother, company founder Giovanna Holbrook, saved more than 500 acres of primary rainforest from deforestation and established Selva Verde Lodge and Rainforest Reserve, a place where students and teachers could experience firsthand the magic of Costa Rica in a pristine, untouched environment. She later helped create the nonprofit Sarapiquí Conservation Learning Center, with the aim of giving back to the local community through education and conservation-based initiatives.

5 Costa Rica by the Numbers

Photo by Andrea and Antonella Ferrari

Photo by Ann and Rob Simpson

Photo by Alton Biggs

4-6 ABOUT COSTA RICA

18 National Parks 20 Map of Costa Rica

33 Selva Verde Lodge & SCLC

6 Why Costa Rica?

22 Service Learning & Citizen Science

34-37 THE HOLBROOK TRAVEL EXPERIENCE

7-29 EDUCATIONAL CONNECTIONS

24 Cultural Studies & Language

34 Customized Travel Experiences

26 History & Archaeology

35 Safety & Security

28 Adventure Learning

36 Fundraising Ideas

30-33 WHY HOLBROOK TRAVEL?

37 FAQs

8 Biology & Natural History 10 Costa Rica’s Ecosystems 12 Geology & Volcanic Studies 14 Marine Science 16 Environmental Studies & Conservation

30 40 Years of Experience 31 Testimonials 32 Deep Roots in Costa Rica

38-39 SAMPLE ITINERARIES 38 Jungles, Peaks & Shores 39 Site-based Learning at Selva Verde Lodge

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w e Lco m e to t h e

World’s Greatest Classroom

Costa Rica is home to hundreds of endemic plant and animal species, landscapes shaped by active volcanoes and mighty rivers, marine ecosystems, and charming towns where tradition and custom still prevail.

Whether your focus is science, cultural studies, language, history, or a cross-disciplinary approach, Costa Rica is the perfect place for hands-on, site-based learning. From its diverse ecosystems, neotropical flora and fauna, and distinct geological features to its museums, archaeological sites, and picturesque colonial towns, students can gain greater global awareness and a deeper understanding of curricular concepts in a real-world setting.

Read on and discover why Costa Rica truly is the world’s greatest classroom.

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Photos on next page by: Dain Van Schoyck, Joaquin Garcia, Martin Van Lokven, Todd Gustafson | Gustafson Photo Safari, Lisa Palmese-Graubard, Deb Savarese

About Costa Rica

costa rica by the numbers

66,865

11,415

916

I n s e ct s

PL ANTS

fish

857

226

239

b i rds

r e ptile s

mammals

183

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amp h i b i a n s

N atio nal par ks

vo lcanoes 5

why costa rIca? safe •

Costa Rica is known for its happy, friendly people. In fact, Costa Rica is consistently ranked among the happiest populations in the world and has been peaceful and free of conflicts for many decades.

Photos by Ann and Rob Simpson, Thomas R. Roose, Israel Gonzalez, Cathy Turgeon, Pelin Karaca, Dr. Eric Simon

acce s s I b Le •

A direct flight to San José is less than three hours from Miami, so it can be a more manageable flight for first time or nervous flyers.

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Costa Rica does not require U.S. citizens to have a visa for entry. All you need is a passport.

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Costa Rica is affordable and offers a variety of accommodations and activities to suit every budget.

e co f rI e ndLy

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Costa Rica is a world leader in environmental conservation and the protection of biodiversity.

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Approximately 25% of Costa Rica has been designated as protected land by the government.

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Costa Rica’s Certification for Sustainable Tourism (CST) program helps travelers make responsible choices by evaluating businesses in the tourism industry for their natural, cultural and social resource management.

educatIonaL connectIons

Biology & Natural History

Service Learning & Citizen Science

Marine Science

costa rica has so much to offer — here are some of the topics your students can explore Environmental Studies & Conservation

Geology & Volcanic Studies

Adventure Learning

Cultural Studies & Language

History & Archaeology

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Educational Educational Connections Connections

Sample acti v i t ies • Take guided rainforest hikes to observe some of Costa Rica’s bestknown species, like sloths, monkeys, toucans, and colorful frogs, in their natural environment.

• Learn about a variety of ecosystems and how resident species have adapted to their habitats.

• Visit field stations and learn from resident scientists about the research being conducted.

• Examine how some plants depend on animal behaviors for reproduction.

biology & nat ural history Costa Rica has the greatest species density in the world: though it makes up only 0.03% of the earth’s land surface, the country encompasses 5% of the world’s biodiversity. The lush flora and abundant fauna are found across a variety of habitats and ecological zones, from tropical rainforest and montane cloud forest to mangrove swamp and páramo highlands, making this the ideal setting for investigating the biology and natural history of tropical ecosystems. Some have said it is even possible to see more in one day in Costa Rica than during an entire trip to the Amazon.

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Photos by Dain Van Schoyck;

cr eat Ing pat h ways fo r nature

The Mesoamerican Biological Corridor is an interconnected system of protected government and private lands, established in 1998 as a multinational initiative to protect critically endangered species.

The corridor stretches from Mexico to Panama, and Costa Rica has more than 150 protected areas that make up part of the corridor.

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costa rI ca’s

Photo by Jerry Goffe, Naturephotoworks.com

Ecosystems

ra I n f o rest c Lo u d f o re st characteristics: Tropical or subtropical evergreen montane moist forest with persistent, frequent, or seasonal low-level cloud cover, usually at the canopy level. Also known as low montane rainforest Importance: Increases effective rainfall; habitat for many specialized plant species and endemic animals

characteristics: High temperatures and high rainfall, usually tropical moist, semi deciduous or evergreen forests with abundant palms and ferns in the understory Importance: Habitat for extreme diversity of plants, amphibians and reptiles, Great Green and Scarlet Macaw, toucans, aquatic birds

Photo by Jerry Goffe

Photo by Ann and Rob Simpson

Due to its varying topography and its dynamic atmospheric conditions caused by the oceans that ank it, Costa Rica is home to a broad spectrum of ecosystems.

Meanwhile, the country is only about the size of West Virginia, making it small enough to examine and compare different regions during a short trip.

s eLva verde mo n teverde

Cloud Forest Reserve

Rainforest Reserve founded: 1985

founded: 1972

area: 500 acres

area: 26,000 acres

elevation: 246 ft

elevation: 4,100 - 5,900 ft

annual rainfall: 156 in

annual rainfall: 118 in 10 Learn more at holbrook.travel/more-to-see

Photo by Israel Gonzalez

Educational Connections

m a n g rov e s characteristics: Areas of low rainfall, typically found along the Pacific coast, long dry seasons of five to eight months, deciduous canopy trees with thorny understory species

Importance: Serve as wildlife refuges and nurseries; protect shoreline; retain nutrients and sediment

co ra L re efs characteristics: Shallow ocean habitats formed by calcium carbonate skeletons, inhabited by living communities of coral polyps, fish, and other marine life Importance: Support marine life; carbon sinks; protective barrier from hurricanes

Photo by Al Hovey

Importance: Habitat for many mammals and flowering trees, important migration route

characteristics: Areas of short, salt-tolerant plants and shrubs growing between regions of low and high tide with an influence of freshwater

Photo by Israel Gonzalez

dry f or e st

damas I s L a n d pa Lo v e rd e

Mangrove Estuary

National Park

area: 1,482 acres

founded: 1978

elevation: 0 ft

area: 45,492 acres

annual rainfall: 151 in

g a n do ca-m anz a nIL Lo

National Park founded: 1985

elevation: 879 ft

area: 23,348 acres

annual rainfall: 69 in

elevation: 26 ft annual rainfall: 98 in 11

Educational Connections

Sample act i v i ti es • Hike lava fields to study the types of rock that make up a volcano.

• Compare and contrast different types of volcanoes, such as cinder cone and stratovolcanoes.

• Experience geothermal activity at work while swimming in natural hot springs.

• Learn how rivers and waterfalls shape the countryside.

Di d yo u kno w?

Co sta Rica’ s Vo lca no es

Geology &

vo lcanic stud ie s Situated near the juncture of the Caribbean and Cocos tectonic plates, Costa Rica is a geologically active country: there are hundreds of formations throughout the landscape that have resulted from volcanic forces. Hot springs, lava fields, acid crater lakes, and geysers give students a firsthand look at how the face of the earth continues to be shaped.

12 Learn more at holbrook.travel/more-to-see

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Arenal Volcano is the youngest of Costa Rica’s volcanoes and displays near-perfect symmetry.

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Poás Volcano’s northern crater lake is one of the most acidic lakes in the world, with a pH of almost 0.

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At an elevation of 11,260 feet, Irazú is Costa Rica’s tallest volcano. Its name means “thundering mountain.”

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Turrialba Volcano has no paved roads to its summit, but its lava flows and rainforests can be explored by horseback.

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Rincón de la Vieja means “The Old Woman’s Corner.”

According to local legend, after a young woman’s lover was thrown into the crater by her father, she became a recluse living on the mountain.

Photos by Paulo Valerio and Christof Meneboeuf

Costa Rica’s volcanoes play a key role in the country’s spectacular biodiversity — the many eruptions over the past millenia have made the soil very fertile and mineral rich, allowing many species to thrive.

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Educational Educational Connections Connections

Marine Science Costa Rica translates to “rich coast,” and although Spanish explorers were referring to gold and jewels, Costa Rica’s coasts are rich in another way: nearly 7,000 marine species, or 3.5% of all aquatic life on Earth, can be found in the country’s waters. At Marino Ballena National Park on Costa Rica’s Pacific coast, snorkelers can see parrot fish, butterfly fish, freckled porcupine fish, lobsters, starfish, and sea fans, plus as many as 18 species of identified corals. During low tide, visitors can hike out on a geological formation known as the “whale’s tail,” named for its shape. Coincidentally, Marino Ballena is also a great spot for whale watching, as well as surfing, swimming, and kayaking.

14 Learn more at holbrook.travel/more-to-see

Sample acti v i t i e s • Take a boat ride among mangrove swamps and examine how this type of habitat plays a role in the larger ecosystem.

• Look for humpback whales and dolphins at Caño Island.

• Study coral reefs and identify species.

• Examine how researchers are protecting sea turtles from poachers and other threats.

Photos by Brian Williamson, Steffi Lopez, Israel Gonzalez

Costa Rica is bounded by the Caribbean Sea to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west, providing multiple opportunities for studying marine life and coastal habitats. Sea turtle nesting sites, coral reefs, and mangrove and intertidal ecosystems are just some of the features that characterize the country’s coastline.

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Educational Connections

environmental studies & conservation In recent decades, Costa Rica has been a global pioneer in preserving its natural resources. Up until the 1970s, logging threatened to destroy much of the country’s forests, but the government enacted measures to reverse the trend. Today nearly 25% of the country’s land is protected in national parks and privately owned reserves. Students can meet with ecologists, learn about current initiatives, and make meaningful contributions to conservation projects.

16 Learn more at holbrook.travel/more-to-see

S a m p l e act i vit ies • Visit an organic, shade-grown coffee plantation to learn about sustainable agriculture.

• Take part in a reforestation project and discuss how the Costa Rican government incentivizes private land conservation.

• Meet with coordinators of a notfor-profit trash mapping project.

• Learn how scientists are studying endangered species at field research stations.

Photos by Kathryn Elkins, Ashley Loza, Pelin Karaca

Costa Rica has declared its intention to become a carbon-neutral nation by 2021 and currently generates roughly 90 percent of its electricity from renewable sources.

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s k r a p l a n o i t a n

Arenal Volcano

Manuel Antonio

Braulio Carrillo

n ati on a l pa rk

n atio nal par k

natio nal park

Within the Arenal Tilaran Conservation Area, Arenal Volcano National Park features two volcanoes – Arenal and Cerro Chato – and a lake that supplies 12% of the country’s hydroelectric energy.

Complete with expansive white sand beaches met with an evergreen forest, Manuel Antonio National Park is Costa Rica’s second most visited park with almost 300 species of birds and mammals and includes 12 little isles just off the coast.

Believe it or not, Braulio Carrillo National Park preserves its lush forests by having a highway wind its way through the park, making it more accessible and allowing more visitors to see the incredible scenery.

Highlights: Howler monkeys, white-faced capuchins, tapirs, Brown Jays, orioles

Highlights: Two-toed sloths, mantled howler monkeys, Central American squirrel monkeys

Highlights: Resplendent Quetzals, white-faced capuchins, Mexican tree porcupines

Carara

Irazú Volcano

Guanacaste

n ati on a l pa rk

n atio nal par k

natio nal park

Located in a transition zone between tropical dry forest and tropical rainforest, this popular bird-watching destination features one of the largest remaining wild populations of the Scarlet Macaw in Costa Rica.

Not only does Irazú Volcano National Park hold Costa Rica’s tallest volcano, but it also features several craters – one of which is 900 feet deep and another that changes from emerald-green to crimson-red.

With diverse habitats comes an array of plants, insects, and animals.

Guanacaste National Park has over 5,000 moth and butterfly species, over 3,000 types of epiphytes, 300 bird species, and a variety of different mammals.

Highlights: Toucans, boa constrictors, Scarlet Macaws

Highlights: Three-wattled Bellbirds, agoutis, Volcano Hummingbirds, toucans

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Highlights: Pacas, tapirs, pumas, jaguars, Montezuma’s Oropendolas

Photos by Deb Savarese, Al Hovey, Dain Van Schoyck, Hans Velorian, Jennifer Shea Moses, Pelin Karaca, Todd Gustafson | Gustafdson Photo Safari, Jose R. , Sandy Doss, Geoff Gallice

Poás Volcano

Rincón de la Vieja

Tortuguero

n atI on a L pa rk

n atIo naL par k

natIo naL park

Home to one of the largest and most active volcanoes in Costa Rica, Poás Volcano National Park also has a 1,000 foot deep crater where visitors can see geysers explode up to over 800 feet in the air.

Rincón de la Vieja National Park is not only known for its volcanic eruption in 2011, but also for its nine contiguous craters and its large number of fumarole, hot springs, and guaria morada, Costa Rica’s national flower.

As Costa Rica’s third most visited national park, Tortuguero National Park, which means “region of turtles,” is most famous for its coastal and marine areas, which have become a favored nesting ground for sea turtles.

highlights: Bangs’s mountain squirrels, Clay-colored Thrushes, Resplendent Quetzals, coyotes, rabbits, marmots, toucans, tanagers

highlights: Long-tailed Manakins, Baird’s tapirs, two-toed sloths, black iguanas

highlights: Loggerhead sea turtles, hawksbill sea turtles, leatherback sea turtles, green sea turtles

Corcovado

La Amistad

Santa Rosa

n atI on a L pa rk

Int e rn at I o n a L pa rk

natIo naL park

Corcovado is the largest national park in Costa Rica and widely considered the crown jewel of Costa Rica’s national park system. highlights: Baird’s tapirs, Harpy Eagles, spectacled caimans, jaguars and other big cats, all four neotropical monkey species

Meaning “friendship,” La Amistad is the only binational park in the world. Located in both Costa Rica and Panama, La Amistad is the largest nature reserve in Central America and was declared a UNESCO Heritage Site in 1983. highlights: Jaguars, pumas, ocelots, margays, oncillas, jaguarundis

Established in 1971 to preserve the site of the Battle of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Park is Costa Rica’s oldest national park. highlights: Geoffroy’s spider monkeys, mantled howler monkeys, white-faced capuchins, coatimundis, olive ridley sea turtles, Orangefronted Parakeets 19

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Map

1 S a n ta Ro sa n at i o n al par k 2 G uan aca ste N at i o n al par k

2 1

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3 Ri ncó n de la Vie ja N at i o n al Par k

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4 pa lo v e r de N at i o n al Par k

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5 a r ena l vo lca n o N at i o n a l Par k 6 mo n t eve r de c lo u d f o r e st r e se rve 7 ca r a r a N at i o n a l Par k 8 P oás vo lca n o N at i o n a l Par k 9 S elva Ve r de lo dge & R a i n fo r e st Re se rve 10 b r au li o ca r r illo N at i o n a l Par k 11 I r a zú vo lca n o N at i o n al Par k 12 tort u g u e r o N at i o n al Par k

Nat ional Pa rk

13 dama s isla n d m a n g r ove e stuary

res erve

14 ma n u el a n to n io N at i o n a l Par k

volcano nat ional park

15 l a a mi sta d i n t e r N atio nal Par k

Is la nd

16 g an d o ca ma n za n illo wi ldli fe r e fug e 17 co r cova do N at i o n al Par k 20 Learn more at holbrook.travel/more-to-see

NICARAGUA

COSTA RICA 12

9 8

CARIBBEAN SEA

10 11

7

S an J osé

16 13

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PACIFIC OCEAN 17

PANAMA

Educational Connections

Sample act i v i ti es • Assist in conservation efforts by participating in a reforestation project.

• Take part in nightly patrols with the Sea Turtle Conservancy to mark nests, count eggs, record measurements, and learn about turtle breeding behaviors.

• Use technology in the field to collect and analyze environmental data.

• Meet with local schoolchildren and help with projects like developing a playground, painting buildings, or building new classrooms.

Service learning & citizen science Meet the Sea Turtle Conservancy: The Sea Turtle Conservancy (STC), formerly the Caribbean Conservation Corporation, is the world’s oldest sea turtle research and conservation group. An international nonprofit organization, STC was founded in 1959 by world-renowned sea turtle expert Dr. Archie Carr to save sea turtles from eminent extinction through rigorous science-based conservation. The STC carries out worldwide programs to conserve and recover sea turtle populations through research, education, advocacy, and protection of natural habitats. Holbrook Travel supports sea turtle conservation by offering volunteer opportunities for travelers ages 16 and up at the STC’s base in Tortuguero.

22 Learn more at holbrook.travel/more-to-see

Photos by SCLC

Whether students are assisting with field research or as service volunteers, projects should be tailored to the everchanging needs of researchers or the community in order to have the most meaningful impact.

Holbrook Travel has developed longterm relationships with local organizations to ensure that students are truly making a difference while learning.

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Educational Connections

cultural studies & Language For a truly immersive experience, students can participate in a homestay with a Costa Rican family to better understand what daily life is like as a “tico.” Meeting schoolchildren and visiting community centers and other local organizations helps provide students a framework for discussing cultural differences and similarities while offering a deeper understanding of the Costa Rican way of life.

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S a m p l e act i v i ties • Take Spanish classes while living with a Costa Rican family.

• Visit a local community center and participate in dance lessons or a cooking class.

• Visit a pineapple, banana, or coffee plantation and learn about the importance of these crops to Costa Rican livelihoods.

• Learn about the natural and cultural history of cacao during a chocolate tour, and discover its significance to early Central American civilizations.

• Play soccer, Costa Rica’s most popular sport, with local schoolchildren.

Photos by Pelin Karaca, Deb Savarese, Alan Valverde

ta Lk I ng L Ike a t Ico

Costa Ricans refer to themselves informally as “ticos” (men) or “ticas” (women). Other Costa Rica-isms include “pura vida” (translates to “full of life” and is used as a greeting and farewell), “mae” (dude/guy), “tuanis” (cool), “chunche” (thingamabob), and “treinta y cinco” (which literally translates to 35, but in Costa Rica is slang for crazy).

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Educational Connections

sampLe actI v I t I e s

hIstory &

archaeoLogy Historians believe that human history in Costa Rica may date back as far as 10,000 BCE. Though Costa Rica’s early civilizations left behind fewer artifacts than their Maya and Aztec neighbors to the north, descendants of Costa Rica’s eight major ethnic groups still thrive, and some continue the traditions of their ancestors, even now. In 1502, Christopher Columbus arrived to the Caribbean coast, beginning a period of colonization until independence in 1821. Students today can trace the footsteps of historical figures, meet with indigenous populations, explore colonial towns, and visit museums and sites of historical importance to better understand the country’s history from multiple perspectives.

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Visit San José’s museums, such as the National Museum of Costa Rica and the Jade Museum, both of which display pre-Columbian artifacts, and the Gold Museum, featuring over 20,000 troy ounces of golden artifacts.

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Learn about different tropical plants and herbs and their medicinal and economic uses by pre-Columbian societies during a visit to an ethnobotanical garden.

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Hear how oral traditions are passed down through generations during an indigenous cultural workshop.

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Visit archaeological sites dating back thousands of years.

Photos by Rod Tico and Stephen J.

More than 300 man-made stone spheres, dating from as early as 600 AD, have been found in southwestern Costa Rica and Ca単o Island. The spheres originated from the now extinct pre-Columbian indigenous Diquis culture and researchers theorize that these spheres had some astronomical significance.

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Educational Connections

Adventure learning A rainforest’s highest density of species diversity can be found in the canopy layer, more than 100 feet off the ground. By viewing the canopy at eye level by zip line, hanging bridges, or aerial lifts, it’s possible to enjoy the rainforest from a unique perspective while comparing the forest’s different layers. It’s also your best chance of viewing a sloth up-close: these slow-moving creatures descend from the treetops only about once a week.

28 Learn more at holbrook.travel/more-to-see

S a m p l e act i v i ties • Compare the different layers of a rainforest as you zip line high through the forest canopy.

• Collect water samples and test river quality during a whitewater rafting adventure.

• Observe and identify marine life while kayaking, swimming, paddle boarding, or snorkeling in the Pacific Ocean.

• Take a surf or yoga lesson on the beach and learn about community initiatives for coastal conservation.

Photos by Bodhi Surf School, Kayak Jaco, Roger Palmer

Costa Rica is well-known for its adventure activities, and these can easily be incorporated into an educational program, where curriculum and fun go hand in hand.

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why hoLbrook traveL?

40 y e a r s o f e X p e rI e nce Holbrook has been coordinating travel programs since 1974, so as a Holbrook traveler you can feel the comfort of our years of knowledge and expertise accompanying you and your students throughout your journey. With an average tenure of 20 years, our educational travel consultants are highly experienced at working with teachers to plan customized travel programs.

Our staff travels regularly to meet with our in-country guides, inspect sites, and evaluate lodgings to ensure that each program exceeds expectations for safety, academic standards, and value.

Over the years, we’ve taken thousands of students to Costa Rica on enriching, life-changing field expeditions.

weL L con n e ct e d Over the years we’ve built strong ties with educators, naturalists and scientists, nonprofit groups, government agencies, and other organizations in Costa Rica and around the world. Through these connections, we offer teachers and students opportunities to work closely with the people and natural resources of the destinations they visit. We can incorporate behind-the-scenes tours, exclusive activities, expert lecturers, and other tailor-made experiences to ensure your students get the most benefit from their time abroad.

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test I m on I a L s First off, I just want to say that my trip to Costa Rica was amazing! This was my first trip I took out of the US and it was just simply fantastic. I loved every minute of the trip. I got to experience and try all sorts of new things. The places we stayed at were fantastic and the people we encountered were extremely friendly! I got to see some extraordinary sights and animals and took a lot of pictures. I enjoyed everything about my trip and can’t wait to go back!

— tommy s. student

We had another wonderful trip! Thank you so much for arranging everything and attending to every detail. When asked to rate the trip on a scale of 1-10 the kids all gave it 12!

— gaIL barna teacher at moorestown frIends schooL

I am a high school biology and photography teacher. I have been very lucky to have led trips to Costa Rica for the last 20 years. Our groups average about 27 students and all of my trips have been with our friends at Holbrook Travel. Our trips always have a rainforest ecology theme. Many of our students discover that they have a love of photography after a short while there. As a result of seeing the wildlife firsthand, many of my students develop a greater interest in all things dealing with Costa Rica, its rainforests and wildlife.

Photos by Steffi Lopez

— john kneIsLer teacher at dobIe hIgh schooL

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Why Holbrook?

deep root s I n costa rI ca

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Giovanna Hol

brook at Selv a Ve

rde (1984)

rde (2009)

a Ve brook at Selv

Giovanna Hol

Lodge photos by Jessica Mainieri

In 1984, during the course of running an expedition in Costa Rica, Holbrook Travel’s founder, Giovanna Holbrook, came across a large, forested property in the Sarapiquí region that was in danger of being timbered.

After buying the property, the once-endangered forest became a private, 500-acre rainforest reserve and one of the country’s first ecolodges, Selva Verde Lodge & Rainforest Reserve. Today Selva Verde is a gateway into the magical world of towering Almendro trees, mantled howler monkeys, and Keel-billed Toucans.

The lodge is recognized by Costa Rica’s Certification for Sustainable Tourism (CST) program as a level four classification, a reflection of Selva Verde’s ongoing commitment to responsible practices and the preservation of natural resources for future generations.

Selva V e r d e Lod g e & R a i n f o re st R e s e rv e Located just two hours from Costa Rica’s capital of San José, Selva Verde provides easy access to the wonders of the rainforest. The reserve is home to more than 300 species of birds, 330 species of trees, 120 species of mammals, and countless other reptile, amphibian, insect, and floral species.

Classroom lectures and discussion sessions can be presented and facilitated by our qualified naturalists, who specialize in the flora and fauna of Costa Rica. Conference rooms, meeting areas, and classroom spaces are available for lectures and presentations and are furnished with modern equipment like wireless internet, projectors and screens, dry erase boards, and speakers.

If you’d like to visit Selva Verde with your students, one of our educational travel consultants can help to design a site-based program or to create a custom trip that includes the lodge in your itinerary.

Sarapiq u í Con se rvat i o n l e a rn i n g ce n ter The Sarapiquí Conservation Learning Center (SCLC) was established in 1993 by Holbrook Travel and Selva Verde Lodge founder Giovanna Holbrook and her friend and fellow pioneer Bertha Carter to promote conservation and environmental education throughout the local community.

Funded in part by its ecotourism activities, the SCLC is a nonprofit organization that offers students opportunities for mutual exchange with local people through cultural activities and service projects. SCLC’s projects, which are run by international volunteers and community members, include environmental education, rural tourism activities, English classes, community outreach, women’s groups, and scholarship funds for high school students.

Learn more at holbrook.travel/more-to-see

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The Holbrook Travel Experience We will work directly with you to develop a customized itinerary for you and your students.

The first step is to review your program objectives and requirements with one of our educational travel consultants to determine the program that suits your specific needs and desired outcomes.

cu sto m I z e d trav e L e X p e rI e n ce s our educational travel consultants will work with you to create an expedition tailored to your group’s curriculum and goals.

• What are the number, ages and grade levels of your students?

Photos by Al Hovey and Todd Gustafson | Gustafson Photo Safari

ge t tIn g started

• When do you want to travel?

• What level of comfort do you like when you travel?

• What is your subject area?

• What are your educational objectives for this trip?

• What are your budget expectations?

• Will your trip require approval from administrators?

MES

CUSTOM CO

Standard

pay extra to You’ll never own path take your

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Why Holbrook?

S a f e ty & S ecu ri ty Holbrook Travel has been providing the highest degree of safety and security for our travelers since 1974.

While no environment—at home or abroad—is ever completely risk-free, our extensive experience, safety protocols, and risk management standards can provide a worry-free travel experience for our clients.

We keep abreast of political and national developments and exercise great caution in the interests of our travelers.

All hotels and lodges are inspected regularly by our team, and before your departure, we’ll provide you with a list of emergency numbers and the number for our 24-hour answering service. In the unlikely event of an emergency, incountry guides are professionally trained and must adhere to strict guidelines. We also employ both radio and cell capability and track all groups while in the field.

Travel insurance is available at a reduced rate for student groups and can be built into the cost of your trip if desired.

Additionally, we carry a $3 million umbrella liability insurance policy. On request you or your school can be added as a rider to our policy for the duration of the trip.

Learn more at holbrook.travel/more-to-see

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Why Holbrook?

f un d r a I sI n g I d e a s f o r stu d e nt s We believe the world is our classroom and that its lessons should be accessible to all students. Here are a few ideas to help you and your students make educational travel a reality. If you’re looking for more ideas, speak with one of our educational travel consultants today!

student sales

events and raffles

• Organize a community garage sale or bake sale.

• Host a car wash.

• Work with fundraising organizations to sell products like entertainment coupon books or gift wrap.

• Sell seasonal items during or after school.

• Make recipe books to sell, using either studentsubmitted recipes or showcasing traditional Costa Rican dishes.

• Create a cultural and/or environmental exhibition featuring local organizations, educational displays, student work, and refreshments.

• Raffle off a space on the trip or a voucher for a portion of the trip’s cost.

community sponsorship • Seek out private or corporate contributions (often tax-exempt if through the school district).

• Take advantage of online resources like donorschoose.org, indiegogo.com or adoptaclassroom. org.

• Check with local businesses about fundraising opportunities.

Students can raise funds for their trip and support small-scale farmers and artisans around the world by selling Equal Exchange’s fair trade coffee, chocolates and unique gifts. Learn more at equalexchange.coop/fundraiser 36

Photos by Ashley Loza

f u n draI se wI t h equaL eXc h a n g e

FAQs What’s included in the program cost?

The program cost typically includes all meals and beverages with meals, accommodations, guide and driver, in-country private transportation, activities, and carbon offsetting. We can also assist with booking your group’s international flights and package the cost into your overall trip price.

Who can travel?

We welcome middle and high school students, plus parents or other adults to accompany as chaperones.

Group leaders always travel free. We can also help provide whatever marketing materials you need to recruit participants and promote your trip.

Do you have curriculum Verified Tour Operator, and we also offer carbon I can incorporate into offsetting with ClimateSafe, my trip?

Yes; we can provide resources such as customizable lesson plans, curriculum grids, and rubrics to help you create meaningful activities connected to your desired learning outcomes and goals.

Can students earn college credit for their trip?

Yes; we partner with LeesMcRae College to offer fully transferable undergraduate credits for high school juniors and seniors.

How does Holbrook support sustainable travel?

We believe travel should have a positive impact on Will my students be our world, and for all our paired with other programs, we take steps schools during the trip? to minimize any negative No; you’ll never share guides impacts that travel might have. We work with locally or transport with other owned, environmentally schools you don’t know. and socially conscious hotels, tour operators, Do I need to speak and organizations. Within Spanish?

Costa Rica, we choose No; an expert, bilingual accommodations that hold a Costa Rican guide will Certification for Sustainable accompany you and your Tourism from the Costa Rican students throughout the trip. Tourism Board (ICT) for their dedication to sustainable practices. Holbrook Travel is also a Rainforest Alliance

the first federally recognized certification mark for greenhouse gas neutral products and services, giving participants a chance to support sustainable travel.

What else do you do?

In addition to working with hundreds of schools, universities, and organizations like Girl Scouts of the USA, we also offer professional development opportunities for educators. Furthermore, we help special interest organizations to create travel programs focused on birding, photography, natural history, public gardens, and more. We also partner with Road Scholar, a not-for-profit educational travel organization geared to older adults. Lastly, we offer custom small group adventures for friends and family.

Do you only travel to Costa Rica?

Costa Rica is among our top destinations, but we offer educational travel in countries all over the world. Visit our website at holbrooktravel.com for more information about our other destinations and services.

Learn more at holbrook.travel/more-to-see

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S a m ple itin eraries

Jungles, Peaks, & Shores 9 Days | Choose Your Dat es Climb a volcano, hike in a rainforest, and search for monkeys at the beach — Jungles, Peaks, and Shores features the essential highlights of Costa Rica. Begin in the lush lowland rainforest of Selva Verde, continue to Arenal Volcano to discover geological history, and witness the unique biodiversity inhabiting Manuel Antonio National Park. Plus, enjoy opportunities for cultural exchange with the local community while working on a service project, gain a behind-the-scenes look at the pineapple industry, and experience a thrilling whitewater rafting adventure.

Hi gh li ght s • Learn about the ecology of tropical rainforests at Selva Verde’s private Rainforest Reserve.

• Explore Costa Rica’s renowned biodiversity and varied ecosystems.

• Discover agricultural methods and its challenges during a visit to a working pineapple plantation.

• Observe unique wildlife in Manuel Antonio National Park.

• Work on a community service project with the Sarapiquí Conservation Learning Center.

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What’s inc luded DD Bilingual local guide DD Driver DD Accommodations DD Activities DD Private transportation DD Meals DD Beverages with meals DD Carbon offsetting DD Teacher land + air costs

land pric ing

$1,415

$1,454

20 students + 2 FREE teachers

10 students + 1 FREE teacher

International airfare and $29 departure tax not included.

Valid for travel in 2015.

e du cat ional connect ions Biology & Natural History Environmental Studies & Conservation Geology & Volcanic Studies Service Learning & Citizen Science

s Ite - b a s ed L ear n In g seLva verd e Lod ge & r a In fo r e st r e se rv e b uIL d you r t r Ip We’ll work with you to custom build an itinerary that suits your educational goals and field-based teaching style. Our sample itinerary includes free time for you to relax, assign independent classwork, or add some of the many other activities, lectures, and resources available at Selva Verde.

(Left) Photos by Joaquin Garcia, Matt Harris, Pelin Karaca. (Right) Photos by Greg Basco

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Water quality testing Whitewater rafting Boat ride Zip line canopy tour Local farms Reforestation projects Tirimbina Biological Reserve Arenal Volcano National Park Braulio Carrillo National Park Poas Volcano National Park OTS La Selva Biological Station Heliconia Island La Fortuna hot springs La Paz Waterfall Gardens Serpentarium Leafcutter ant farm Local school visit Cooking class Chocolate plantation Pineapple plantation Cattle ranch Tilapia farm Tapiria National Refuge Great Green Macaw project Dance lessons Biodiversity of Costa Rica Mesoamerican Bio-Corridor Bat observation Photography Sustainability On-site botanical garden Sarapiquí Conservation Learning Center

choose your dat es & choose your subject s Selva Verde is the ideal place to introduce your students to Costa Rica. Our five night sample program incorporates a variety of activities including multiple rainforest hikes, a community service project with the Sarapiquí Conservation Learning Center, a visit to a working farm, a whitewater rafting activity, two lectures on ecology and conservation, and two visits to Tirimbina Biological Reserve to participate in a bat program and learn how chocolate is made.

what ’s I nc Luded D Activities with bilingual local guides D Accommodations D Private transportation D Meals D Beverages with meals D Carbon offsetting D Teacher land + air costs

Land prI c I ng

$850

$895

20 students 10 students + 2 FREE teachers + 1 FREE teacher Based on sample itinerary. International airfare and $29 departure tax not included. Valid for travel in 2015.

r e ady to begI n?

Contact us for more itinerary ideas and next steps. We’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have.

800-451-7111 | holbrooktravel.com | travel@holbrooktravel.com Learn more at holbrook.travel/more-to-see

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3540 NW 13th St. Gainesville, FL . 32609

THE WORLD’S GREATEST CLASSROOM

costa rIca for k-12

fr e e PROF. DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITY

call us or visit our website to be entered to win a free spot on our professional development workshop in costa rica.

800-451-7111 holbrook.travel/more-to-see