Christmas Holiday Program - Spend the Christmas Holidays in Costa Rica Helping Underprivileged Communities Celebrate Christmas

  Costa Rica

• North Western Region: 
Nicoya Peninsula,  Arenal,  Guanacaste,  La Fortuna
• Central Pacific Coast: 
Cartago
• Eastern Lowlands: 
Bribri,  Talamanca,  Puerto Viejo

Durations of Program: 1-2 weeks, 2-4 weeks and 5-8 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 1-2 weeks
Dates: 12/01/2008 to 01/01/2009

Description: Tropical Adventures is a non-profit volunteer and travel organisation which places volunteers in projects across Costa Rica. Every year, we have a special Christmas Holiday Project where we invite volunteers to come and help us organise Christmas celebrations at some of our projects all over Costa Rica.

Participating in our holiday project is not only a great way to give of your time and resources to those in need, but also a great way to get to know our community, projects, tours and host families.

This year we have five big events planned. We'd love to have your help in planning the events; purchasing, wrapping and delivering the gifts; planning the parties and events; preparing the spaces; and then -- of course -- to be here during the events and celebrate with us!

How does it work?

Our Holiday Project is very different from all our other projects in so much as it's very flexible. Most people come for an average of 10 days and help us prepare for our parties. At the same time, we plan lots of fun tours and events for our individual volunteers and volunteer families to enjoy, such as horseback riding, hiking, kayaking, snorkeling, river rafting, canopy (zip-line) tours, indigenous tours, and so much more.

The schedule of events for this year is as follows:

Sun 14th December - La Flor/ El Yaz Christmas Party
Weds 17th December - Hojancha Christmas Party
Sat 20th December - Bambu Retirement Home party
Sun 21st December - Puerto Viejo Christmas Party
Tues 23td December - Bambu Indigenous Cultural Centre Christmas party.

In addition to the party festivities, we are also hosting a "Holiday Summer Camp" from Saturday 27th to Tuesday 30th December for children in the Puerto Viejo area.

This will consist of arts and crafts sessions, sports activities, theater, environmental education and other fun activities. Help will be needed organising this as well as teaching, playing with the children, promoting the event and cleaning up.

If you'd like to do something special for the holidays, we'd love to have your help with our celebrations. We'd also love to help you put together a special custom package including your transportation, hotels and tours. See our website for more details and please contact us today!

Please visit our website photo gallery to see photos of last year's Christmas Projects and read what past volunteers have said about their experiences in our volunteer blog.

Highlights: Life-changing experiences, unrestricted glimpses of the Costa Rica most visitors don't know, and a way to have a positive and lasting impact on a community are all major components of a volunteer vacation with Tropical Adventures.

Live among local people, learn from them and share talents that can make a difference in a society often forgotten. Take advantage of the Spanish immersion program to enhance communication during the project work.

The vacation is not all work; plenty of play is available: snorkelling, surfing, kayaking, river rafting, canopy (zip line) tours, chocolate factory tours, and several sights to see (waterfalls, butterfly garden, volcano, etc.).

Build bridges and return home fulfilling a community's hopes and feeling fulfilled.

* Side trips into Panama can be arranged.

Qualifications: We are seeking volunteers who have the ability to impact the community in a positive way, have a good work ethic, a friendly attitude and be willing to immerse themselves in another culture.

Cost in US$: From $995 for adults and $299 for children

Spanish language lessons, excursions and cellphone rental are available at an extra cost.

* Accommodation costs can vary depending on the type you choose (e.g.staying with a host family, budget lodges or hotels).

*Included Airport transportation consists of being met at the airport by one of our guides and being transported to your project by public transportation, where you will be met by your project coordinator. Private transfer to your project and return transfer to airport available for an extra charge (starting at $35).

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: The typical volunteer at Tropical Adventures is someone who wants to experience the rich bio-diversity of Costa Rica, while learning Spanish and sharing their time, skills and love. Our volunteers like to work hard and play hard. They work well with others and enjoy submersing themselves in a different culture. Typical volunteers are college students, families or retirees.

Age Range: All ages welcome

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Costa Rica Independently

Typically Participants Work in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Written Application

Post Services Include:

• Alumni Network
• Exit DebriefingAbroad

Tropical Adventures's Mission Statement: The Tropical Adventures Foundation is a resource for empowering individuals and communities inside and outside of Costa Rica. Our goals are to: Support the inherent value of the individual, reduce poverty and injustice, help communities achieve sustainable growth, create safe environments, promote international learning and cooperation and foster personal and worldwide peace. Every community around the world faces the fundamental challenge to create social and economic systems that promote peace, human welfare and the sustainability of the environment on which life depends. We meet this challenge by supporting and encouraging initiatives by those living and working closest to where the problems are located. We promote collaboration among diverse individuals, nonprofit organizations, government and businesses from the local area and around the world, as well as from every level of society. Our experience shows such activities help build common understanding, bring forward and reinforce the inherent value of the individual, strengthen a sense of local and worldwide community, and ultimately enable people to improve their lives and reinforce their commitment to society.

Year Founded: 2005