Ridgefield 2014 Costa Rica Adventure

Day 1 ---- Arrive and Travel to La Condesa (La Condesa)

Welcome Ridgefield

Today you will be met by your drivers and guides outside the San Jose Airport where we will be ready for yet another Ridgefield Costa Rica Adventure. We hope to make this year the best yet with not only new dances at thehomestay but also a stay in the CRR Pacuare River lodge on what National Geographic has listed as one of their top three most scenic rivers on the planet.

The first day will be a day of orientation and getting to know the staff and a chance for us to get to know the kids and fill them in on this amazing adventure. We will have dinner at the beautiful La Condesa where the kids can relax after a long day of travel. (Meals: Lunch & Dinner)

Day 2 ---- Visit Orphanage & Enter Cave (Sleep Behind Waterfall)

Today we will be visiting the same orphanage that Ridgefield visits every year with a chance to rekindle friendships made by past groups and have one of the most powerful experiences of the week. During the stay we will have a gift exchange with a project the Roth family has done for years allowing the kids to present themselves

Sleeping Behind Waterfall

and leave a symbol of their life back home be it a t-shirt, soccer ball, or piece of jewerly it makes for a great way to get the kids communicating and enjoy their time together.

After the visit to the orphanage we will be on our way to the southern Pacific zone. We'll drive along the deep blue Pacific and then make our way inland to the area where the treacherous hike will begin to the land of the waterfalls. We will hike for two hours on a trail through primary rainforest giving the kids an introduction to the different ecosystems and biodiversity found in the tropical regions. We'll then reach an organic garden where the kids will be taught the importance of organically grown food and have a better understanding of our present day food system and steps that can be taken to improve it.

Then we'll reach the Land of Waterfalls where we will be spending the night sleeping behind these majestic falls. This is not roughing it by any means as there are bathrooms, showers, and even a kitchen where locally grown foods are transformed into delicious meals.

The kids will have the chance to rappel the waterfall which measures over 120ft. This is a great learning experience where the kids are challenged to overcome their fears and take on a thrilling adventure. After the rappel we will reflect as a group and hear comments from the kids and have them all write in their journals. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)

Day 3 ---- Travel to Homestays (Homestays)

Rappeling Waterfalls

Today we will get up have a hearty breakfast behind the waterfalls and then get ready for another hike. We will head to the area where there are pools and a small waterfall that the kids can jump off of. This is often one of the highlights of the trip -- being able to jump off a waterfall into a pristine pool.

After the hiking to the pools we will make our way down the mountain to meet the bus which will transfer us to thehomestays. We will make the drive over a very unique ecosystem called the Paramo. Here we will educate the kids on the formation of Costa Rica and how the tectonic plates (Caribbean & Coco Plates) connected the two great continents of the Americas. One of the cool parts is we will be up around 12,000 ft during the drive and actually be able to show the kids sea-shells to prove to them that the land we are on was once under water. Nothing better than getting out and seeing it as compared to just telling them about it!

  

Once we get to Sitio de Mata everyone will meet their new families away from home. This is an experience that we promise you they will cherish for years to come. Our homestay experience is without a doubt the top experience of our itineraries. Even though we visit so many natural beauties we still consider the people of Costa Rica the top attraction. The homestays are humble but theservice is 5-star. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)

Day 4 ---- Community Activities (Homestays)

Today the Ridgefield kids will give back to the community that is treating them so well. We will spend part of the day doing a community service project that might be painting a school or helping out in some way to give back to the community.

In the afternoon we will take some fun Costa Rican culture classes learning the local dance and how to cook the local cuisine. When the kids return to CT they can prepare a traditional Costa Rican meal for you. After the culture classes it will be time for the famous soccer game which seems to be another highlight of the trip for a lot of kids. With kids coming from all over to join in the Ridgefield Soccer match it is somewhat on par with the World Cup.

Homestay Friends

The evening activities is an all out "Fiesta" of local dance and food where all the homestay families come together and put on performances to say farewell to their new friends and wish them the best in the rest of their travels. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)

Day 5 ---- Enter Pacuare River (CRR Pacuare Lodge)

Pacuare River Adventure

Today we'll have breakfast in our homestays and then say our final good-byes to our families. We will make the short drive to where we put in to the Pacuare River. Here we will be surrounded by lush tropical rainforest from start to finish. We'll spend the first half of the day rafting, hiking to waterfalls, and eating a delicious river lunch. We all take a little swim after lunch in a natural pool formed by the river.

We will continue rafting till early afternoon, then we'll stop along the river at the CRR river lodge. Here the kids will be in their own private cabins with breathtaking  views of the river canyon and mountain ranges as far as the eye can see.

This will be a great experience and a chance to relax in the comfort of their cabins and enjoy another

Hola Ridgefield!

excellent meal prepared for you by your river guides in our lounge area that offers an open deck patio for chilling in hammocks while writing in your journals.

We will have an evening activity getting the kids to reflect on the trip up until this point. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)

Day 6 ---- Raft out & Travel to Arenal (Montaña de Fuego)

Today we will get an early start and continue rafting through the most scenic part of the Pacuare River. After a morning of rafting we will meet the bus at the end of the river where you will be transported to the Arenal Volcano area. Here you will be treated to the Montaña del Fuego Resort which we feel everyone will deserve after sleeping behind waterfalls, home stays, and river

Arenal Volcano

lodges a little luxury will feel nice.

The education will not stop with the fine amenities in life. Here the kids will be getting their lesson on this beautifulstratovolcano that has attracted visitors from around the world.

When we arrive the kids will have the chance to relax and have fun in the hotsprings. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)

Day 7 ---- Zipline & Don Juan Farm & Drive to San Jose (Real Intercontinental)

We have one more adventure and some say we save the best for last! The zipline at Arenal Volcano is a ride that will take the kids zipping 700ft high over the top of the rainforest with marvelous views of the Arenal Volcano andArenal Lake.

After the zipline we will head to the Don Juan Farm where the kids will get another lesson on organic growth from one of the best educators in Costa Rica. Don Juan has a two acre farm and can feed 25 people daily!

In the evening it will be time for a farewell party for the Ridgefield gang as we reflect on the amazing week! Our final night will be at the Real Intercontinental Hotel located in San Jose and a chance to make our farewell dinner a night to remember staying at the Real Intercontinental one of Costa Rica's best hotels! (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)

Day 8 ---- Fly Home!

Today we will transport everyone to the San Jose Airport where you will say your good-byes to your drivers and guides and take with you life-long memories. (Meals: Breakfast)