Professional Development Program (9-day/night)

Adding to your professional diversity . . .

HABITATS AND CULTURE OF COSTA RICA
(check back later in the year for the 2014 schedule)

Habitats and Culture of Costa Rica offers an environmental overview of present day Costa Rica that emphasizes the natural history of its diverse landscapes as well as the language and customs of the people.  You as a student, journey across Costa Rica's extraordinary geography: from once-glaciated peaks of volcanic rock, to cloud forests, lowland rain forests, and mangrove swamps.  Along the way, you will learn about typical foods, rural schools, and the practices of tropical agriculture.  You will engage in conversational Spanish, participate in a service project, and conduct a field investigation.  Several days of residence at the remote Campanario Biological Station on the Osa Peninsula anchor the course.  Your goal is to gain an understanding of Costa Rica's environment within a cultural context. 

Program Includes:

• All in-country transportation (bus, boat, kayak)
• Visits to other life zones in Costa Rica, as per itinerary
• Lodging for 9 nights
• Three meals daily during the trip (does not include snacks or alcoholic beverages)
• Educational program and materials
• Access to Campanario facilities including library, research equipment
• Hikes through the Campanario Biological Station
• Trips to Corcovado National Park and the Sierpe-Terraba mangrove forest
• All entrance fees to all locations on itinerary
• Program instructor during course

Click here for updated costs.

Course Formats:

Habitats and Culture of Costa Rica can be taken with or without Professional Development credits.  Lewis and Clark credit registration and fees are separate from the in-country Costa Rica course registration and fees.  Contact us for course registration forms.  These forms and fees for the course must be mailed to Campanario to secure a place in the program.

Graduate credit for Professional Development is given through the Center for Continuing Studies at the Lewis and Clark Graduate School of Education and Counseling in Portland, Oregon.  These credits are designed to respond to the ongoing educational needs of practicing professionals.  Although generally not applicable to a degree program, these credits typically meet licensing requirements and staff development needs.  A Credit/No Credit evaluation will be given.  The Lewis and Clark Graduate School of Education and Counseling offers the Habitats and Culture of Costa Rica  as CESI 989.  Registration forms for the 2 semester hours of credit (approx. cost of $200) will be available on-line. 

Credit registration forms should be mailed to Campanario along with a check for these credit hours written out to Lewis and Clark College.  Once all participants have sent in their paperwork, Campanario will then mail the packet with all forms and checks to Lewis and Clark College.

Please view the Lewis and Clark College web site at:
http://www.lclark.edu/dept/ccps/habitatcostarica.html

Security and Safety. . .

Participants should be in good health, as this will be a physically rigorous program. Participants will be staying in a variety of accommodations, including modest hotels, rustic bunk rooms, and a home stay.  While we have made an effort to request certain foods from our hosts, we need to strike a balance with traditional meals.  It is important that participants be adaptable and flexible.  Travel for some of the trip will be by chartered bus, but there will be extensive walking/hiking, and a portion of the trip will be by boat.  It is important that participants be able to hike unassisted for 3-4 hours and know how to swim.

Each participant must have travel insurance, adequate for remote locations like Campanario. Insurance should cover medical evacuations, just in case.

Sign-ups should be made as early as possible (space is limited) and at least 30 days prior to the trip.  Please mail directly to Campanario (see address below) the registration forms and a 50% deposit for the course fee to secure your registration, along with the $200 for Professional Development credits, should you be interested in this option. 

Payment for the course fee may be made by cash, or certified bank checks made out to Campanario S.A. 

Payment for Professional Development credits should be made by check written out to Lewis and Clark College. 

The remainder of the course fee is due during orientation in San José and should be paid in cash at that time.  No personal checks will be accepted.  Campanario will mail all Continuing Studies registration forms and fees to Lewis and Clark College.

Should cancellation be necessary, 50% of the deposit can be refunded if you advise us in writing at least 30 days before the initiation of the trip.  Sorry, we are unable to offer refunds on deposits after that date because preparations for the program will have gone into effect.

Once you've made your reservations, we'll send you a list of things to pack, how to get ready for your trip, and rendezvous instructions.  Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions.

Mailing address:
Campanario
Attn:  Nancy Aitken, Director
SJO 9286, PO Box 025331
Miami, Florida  33102-5331

Note: Campanario reserves the right to adjust or cancel portions of any itinerary due to bad weather or dangerous sea conditions.