La Lumiere Students Take a Costa Rican Adventure Over Spring Break
As a whale breached the surface of the Pacific Ocean, a group of Lakers were close enough to feel the ripples of the water from the immense creature's impact on the ocean. “This moment was breathtaking and very rare to see,” senior Jana Malachovska said. “We were all so lucky to be at the right place at the right time.”
During La Lumiere’s Spring Break, twenty students and three chaperones were immersed in the natural wonders of Costa Rica as they ventured through the Central American nation, which is about the size of West Virginia.
They kicked off their trip with a visit to Poás Volcano to visit a cloud forest and an active volcano. Following this stop, the group traveled to Café Britt to explore and learn more about coffee and how it is harvested and roasted.
The next morning, students hopped on a boat to travel down the Sierpe River. Along the way, there were opportunities to learn more about mangrove forests, which lined portions of the river. The boat left the river and navigated out in the Pacific Ocean and traveled down the coast to the Campanario Biological Station, which would serve as basecamp. After settling in and brief orientations, they learned more about the local ecosystem.
The following day was the first full day at Campanario for the crew, which meant there was ample time to explore the rainforest on the trails near surrounding the station and an afternoon swim. The evening was capped with a mini lesson focused on “green living” and steps that can help protect the planet.
For the fourth, fifth, and sixth days of the trip, they were full-speed ahead into adventure. From snorkeling and scuba diving near Isla de Caño, to a hike to the San Pedrillo River for a swim and lunch, and a boat trip to look for dolphins, pilot whales, and humpbacks, they embraced all of the natural wonders. “We lived in the middle of the untouched rainforest with monkeys, tapirs, scorpions, and spiders, so I feel like a lot of us started to appreciate nature more than ever before,” Jana said. The hosts encouraged the students to recognize the vulnerability of the natural world and realize that each individual can make a positive difference with their daily decisions.
On the second to last day of their excursion, some of the students traveled by boat to Sirena Station in the heart of the Corcovado National Park, while other students participated in a day of service at Los Planes School, where they painted portions of the school. “I will never forget the intense feeling of gratitude that I felt. I was able to help others while on the most adventurous trip of my life. This experience sparked a feeling of determination to continue volunteering,” senior Brooke Borkowski said.
On the final day at the Campanario Biological Station, there were opportunities to explore favorite spots around the area and reflect on the time in Costa Rica. With a relaxing end to the time at the station, the Lakers started the journey back to the United States with a stop in San José and a final dinner as a whole group overlooking the Central Valley of Costa Rica. “In the beginning, there are people you have only passed in the hall, but in the end you feel like you have always known them. On this trip I grew closer to new people, but I also saw a new perspective to the ones I already knew,” Brooke said after the trip.