Sustainability and Leadership in Costa Rica: June 29 - July 7, 2025

Bring your sense of adventure to explore Costa Rica’s vibrant forests, sparkling waters, and rich culture. Learn from local organizations about wildlife conservation, environmental sustainability, and other global issues, zip-line through the jungle, relax on the beach, and discover why Costa Rica’s motto is “Pura Vida!”

About the Trip

Head south to Central America for an adventure that complements your commitment to making the world a better place! You’ll learn how to take action to help protect the environment and create sustainable solutions for a variety of global issues all while experiencing the beauty and culture of Costa Rica.

This Destination begins in San José where you will get to explore local markets and visit a female-led humanitarian foundation that uses education to fight poverty. This is the perfect opportunity to practice some Spanish and enjoy a new city!

Next, you’ll head over to the Gulf of Nicoya where you’ll stop at a responsible fishery led by a local who leads the way in sustainable fishing in his hometown to save the sea. Afterward, you will continue to the Monteverde Cloud Forest, home to more than 2,500 plant species, 400 bird species, and 100 species of mammals. Here, you will share your day with the local Scouts and Pathfinders Club who are leaders in community activism and nature conservation in the cloud forest. As a welcome for us American Girl Scouts to Monteverde, you’ll have the chance to earn a specially developed patch that is unique to this experience with the local Club. You’ll also get the chance to adventure through an exciting challenge course within the cloud forest that will consist of a tree-top zipline bike, Tarzan swing, monkey bridges, and climbing trees.

After that, you’ll journey toward the Pacific Coast and spend a day on the Nicoya Peninsula, one of the world’s rare “Blue Zones,” a place where people live extraordinarily long lives compared to the rest of the world. You’ll visit with a local family, share lunch with them, and learn how responsible tourism can connect normal people, as well as researchers, to the wisdom of centenarians (people over the age of 100) for a better future. This is sure to be one of the most delicious meals you will ever have, as well as a memorable and rewarding experience!

Upon saying goodbye to your host family, you will then join a local NGO and their lead biologist to help her save the sea turtles that visit the nearby black sand beaches. This is a very special hands-on activity in turtle conservation, nursery care, and ocean protection. Plus, you’ll get to participate in a night patrol under the starry sky!

Before you leave Costa Rica, you will board a research boat and sail the Pacific Ocean with an organization that connects people to the sea to save the world! You will learn about Laser Photogrammetry and how researchers use lasers to measure sharks and rays as part of their research on endangered species. Did we mention you’ll end this adventure with a relaxing afternoon on the beach before your farewell dinner?

This Destination will empower you to take action and find solutions to global issues like poverty, wildlife protection, and environmental conservation, all while experiencing a new country and culture in the company of your Girl Scout sisters. Get ready, because when you return from this trip, you’ll be ready to change the world more than ever before!

Meet the chaperones and learn ALL the trip details viewing this webinar!

Learn more about the itinerary on the ACIS trip site.

Who Should Apply?

• Age: Girl Scouts entering grades 10–12 or those who will have just graduated from 12th grade in summer 2025

• Interests: Adventure, outdoors, wildlife, environmental conservation, sustainability, STEM, leadership, service, culture

• Requirements: You must have the ability to withstand outdoor conditions that can change quickly (summer heat, humidity, rainy season conditions), be comfortable around those who may speak a different language than you, and be willing to attend virtual meetings before the trip. Bonus if you have a sense of adventure and are open to leaning into new experiences!

• Equipment: Passport valid until at least February 2026. Packing list will be provided.

• Ignite Your Passion! This trip is great for Girl Scouts who are interested in environmental conservation, wildlife protection, sustainability practices, and humanitarian organizations, as well as for Girl Scouts who want to practice their Spanish language skills.

The Cost

Program fee: $4,151 

The program fee includes airfare from Lousville, KY (SDF) airport to Costa Rica. Girl Scouts will need to arrange transportation to Louisville, KY.

Deposit due upon acceptance: $200 is due by 12/1. (This deposit is already included in your trip program fee.)

Payment and cancellation policy: This tour is organized with ACIS; please review their cancellation and refund policies. Additional travel insurance is available through ACIS.

Financial aid may be available. Check with your local council.

Host and Contact Info

Girl Scouts of Southwest Indiana | www.girlscouts-gssi.org

Hannah Minasian, hminasian@girlscouts-gssi.org, 812-421-4970

This Destination is organized by Girl Scouts of Southwest Indiana, and the tour is operated by ACIS.