Expedition Costa Rica is designed to provide informal Jewish educational opportunities to teens ages 14-17 who are seeking a fun and transformative Jewish summer travel experience.  Programs are available for individual sign-up on our scheduled departure dates, or custom developed-for Jewish camp and  student organization travel programs.  Past participants include Camp Morasha, The Cohen Camps (Camp Pembroke, Camp Tel Noar & Camp Tevya), NFTY, Camp Laurelwood, Camp Pinemere and numerous other schools and synagogues

What our past Expeditions campers had to say:

"The trip was exciting, enjoyable and fulfilling; the variety of group activities resulted in an overall great experience."- Ross H

"This trip was so much fun and I met so many great people...to sum it up, it was the greatest" - Jenna M

"I loved this trip!" - Sam R

"Kosher Expeditions provided a wonderful Experience for everyone - It was a great time" - Aleisha M

"The tour was an incredible balance of natural beauty and of friendship." -  Ethan K

The Kosher Expeditions Philosophy: Exploring Judaism and nature through worldwide adventure travel:

Kosher Expeditions provides the chance to see and experience parts of the Americas that showcase the brilliance, beauty and diversity of the Earth and our connection to it as Jews. As we explore, hike, learn, and raft through these regions, we provide our participants with a unique and exciting way of exploring ancient Jewish ecological wisdom as it relates to contemporary Jewish life.

Kosher Expeditions combines the thrill and wonder of adventure teen travel with a central tenet of Judaism: care for the earth. Our expeditions incorporate the core philosophy of environmental stewardship while traveling in some of the most beautiful regions of the Americas.

Our 12-day Costa Rica summer teen travel adventure is divided into 3 components:

1. Rainforest & Volcano eco-adventures
2. Bio-education & community service projects (Tikun Olam)
3. Beach & costal eco-discovery & adventure

Costa Rica: Adventure & Discovery

There are few places in the world where nature is so exuberant or where the color and variety of the  tropics can be so keenly experienced as in Costa Rica. In area it is slightly larger than the state of West Virginia. Despite its small size, Costa Rica contains an incredible ecological diversity that is protected by one of the best-developed conservation systems in Latin     America. Join Kosher Expeditions as we explore the natural wonders of Cost Rica.

Rainforest Component:  Based at our eco-lodge, located deep in the rainforests of Central Costa Rica's Sarapiqui region, the area is full of splendid opportunities to hike, cruise, raft and explore through lush, mountainous primary rainforest. National Parks and private reserves throughout Sarapiqui maintain the old growth forests with well-kept trails where wildlife freely roams. Guided daily adventures with our naturalists from our base will allow us to explore everything Costa Rica has to offer; from its rain & cloud forests, wildlife & bird watching, to pristine waterfalls and rivers.  Group will also take part in a number of community based social and eco action (Tikun Olam) service programs.

Bio-Study Component: A day of bio-study will take place at Earth University (http://www.earth-usa.org/earth_university.html).  EARTH is a private, international, non-profit university offering an education in agricultural sciences and natural resources in order to contribute to sustainable development in the humid tropics.  One hundred new students from Latin America, Spain, and Uganda enter its Bachelor Degree program each year. The EARTH educational model is based on four pillars: social commitment, environmental awareness, an entrepreneurial mentality, and the development of human values.

Volcano Component: Experience the wonders of the Arenal Volcano with guided hikes, as we view its spectacular volcanic eruptions. Activities include the Bridges Rainforest Tour, Canopy Tour and overnight at a volcano resort & spa. From the resort  view spectacular volcanic eruptions as fire and lava spill over its upper slopes, here the natural beauty of the rain forest mergers with the magnificence of one of the most active volcanoes in the world. 

Beach Component:  Surrounded by 750 acres of lush tropical rainforest, pristine white sand beaches and deep blue waters, you will be swept away by the natural beauty of this private tropical rain forest and beach resort.  Daily adventures include kayak tours, rainforest adventures, Tikun Olam projects, plus much more!

*Students will have structured programming throughout the days and evenings.

*Shabbat:  Kosher Expeditions has developed a meaningful Shabbat program with the Jewish community of San Jose.  Our hotel is in walking distance of the shul and will join the community for Friday night and Saturday services including a community sponsored Kiddush.

Camp Costa Rica Picture Page

Itinerary

July 5 (Su): Arrival San Jose airport meet and greet, transfer to hotel, Orientation 

July 6 (Mo): Poás Volcano, La Paz Waterfall Gardens, Butterfly Observatory & Hummingbird Gallery, transfer to eco-lodge (2 night stay)

July 7 (Tu): Whitewater rafting, Community Service project (Tikun Olam), evening nocturnal wildlife hike

July 8 (We): Science Day at Earth University, transfer to volcano lodge (2 night stay), evening volcano hike

July 9 (Th): Sky Trek Canopy Tour, community service, evening volcano hot springs

July 10 (Fr): Morning hike, return to San Jose (souvenir shopping on the way), Shabbat

July 11 (Sa): Shabbat

July 12 (Su): Transfer to Pacific Beach Resort, beach day & activites

July 13 (Mo): Outrigger Ocean Adventure

July 14 (Tu): Local Adventures Canopy Tour & Community Service

July 15 (We): Surf School

July 16 (Th): Depart, return to USA

*The Costa Rica Teen Advneture program has been developed and run by our qualified team of camp directors and camp councilors, each with years of camping and youth programming experience.  Apart for the daily adventures and activities listed on our itinerary we have developed a fun, meaningful and structured camp type programming that will take place daily when we return or before our scheduled activities including programming appropriate for Shabbat.  At times campers will be given limited free time in between activities to enjoy our lodgings amenities.  During offsite free time campers will be broken up into controlled groups always accompanied by a staff person.

The Kosher Expeditions Experience:

As a division of Expeditions Travel group Inc. KE has run numerous educational student and teen summer adventure programs for thousands of satisfied participants.  Kosher Expeditions student tour programs were developed to be unlike other teen programs, but a fun and meaningful teen experience geared to strengthen our participants’ Jewish identity and sense of community.  We believe that positive Jewish travel experiences at a young age lead to a sense of strengthened identity and future Jewish involvement.  Combining this philosophy with fun and adventure can lead to a powerful, memorable and life-changing summer experience.

Outstanding Educational Content:

KE’s teen programming has been specifically developed as a fun, informal and transformative travel experience building Jewish identity and community. Tours include hands-on “Tikkun Olam” social action programming, meaningful Shabbat programming, interactive seminars and discussions on Judaism and nature, environmental study, interaction with local indigenous peoples and Jewish communities, plus much more!

Quality Leadership:

Each KE tour is staffed with full-time guides/educators who are responsible for all Jewish content, guiding, and logistics. Our trip leaders are naturalists, rabbis, and educators,  dynamic and energetic professionals who are experts in engaging teens.  Staff to participant ratio is approximately 1:10.

Premium Accommodations & Amenities:

KE uses only premium properties for its tours. We choose comfortable, clean, and spacious lodgings, which are suitable for groups. All meals are Glatt kosher prepared fresh on-site under strict supervision, nutritious, well-balanced, and plentiful. Vegetarian options are always available. KE strives to provide top quality, healthy food for our groups.

Safe & Secure Travel:

Through constant site inspections, KE    maintains first-hand knowledge of the surrounding areas and local happenings at each destination. KE also maintains one of the most comprehensive travel protection policies in the industry, adding to parents’ peace of mind. Before each tour, detailed itineraries and contact numbers to our offices and lodgings are provided to each participant and their families, along with our 24-hour emergency toll-free contact numbers.

Choose Kosher Expeditions as your tour operator for your teen summer travel adventure!