WHAT ARE THE TEACHERS' RESPONSIBILITIES?
Ecodestination will do all the planning for your trip. The organizing teachers are the link between us and the group. They provide Ecodestination with information about the participants and coordinate any changes in itinerary. The teachers are responsible for seeing that all essential forms are filled out properly and on time, and they will collect all the money for the company. To help you organize, we are establishing in the United States a network of coordinators-- people who have organized trips in the past and are an easy phone call away. Once in Costa Rica, you are the students' chaperones, but our guides will share the supervisory duties so teachers can relax and enjoy the trip alongside the students.

HOW WILL WE ACQUIRE ALL THE FORMS WE NEED?
The best place to find the forms is right here on the website. Group Registration Form (pdf) This will need to be filled out and sent with deposits to Ecodestination in order to reserve a space. Medical Release Form (pdf) This form will need to be filled out by each participant. A copy should be carried while traveling and another copy should be sent to Ecodestination. General Release Form (pdf) This form will need to be filled out by each participant. A copy should be carried while traveling and another copy should be sent to Ecodestination. Once the Group Registration Form and the deposit are received, a Trip Leader Manual will be sent to the group leader. This Manual has all the forms that will be necessary for the trip. Student applications, check lists, permission to travel forms all are available to photocopy from the Trip Leader Manual. Promotional DVDs are also available from Ecodestination.

HOW WILL WE KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THE PLACES WE WILL VISIT?
Call or write for a DVD and most of your questions will be answered. However if more information is needed, continue to browse the Website where we have pictures and information available to all teachers, parents and students. It is also possible to just call Ecodestination and ask for David. It may even be possible to arrange a meeting where he or another Ecodestination representative can come to your school and talk to your students, and parents about everything that they want to know.

WILL ECODESTINATION HELP US PREPARE PRESENTATIONS FOR OUR GROUP?
Yes. Ecodestination will either send you the information you need or it may even be possible to arrange a meeting where an Ecodestination representative comes to your school and talks to your students, and parents about everything that they want to know. The promotional videos are particularly helpful in drumming up enthusiasm, and in answering questions.

HOW CAN I CONTACT A COORDINATOR?
The easiest way is to call Ecodestination directly at 1-800-785-2977. Or you can write to info@ecodestination.com or david@ecodestination.com.

HOW WILL THIS TRIP BE USEFUL IN THE CLASSROOM?
Ecodestination boasts "Authentic Science Adventures". By "authentic" we refer to science education without interpretation by a teacher's lecture, a book's text or even a video. We believe that there is no comparison between telling students that turtles are big or that sloths are soft and letting them experience it for themselves. The old proverb, that goes, "Tell me, I forget...Show me, I remember... Involve me and I understand" is ultimately at the heart of our program. All of us have sat in classrooms and read textbooks or listened to teachers tell us about the wonders of the world and afterwards we have promptly forgotten nearly every word that was spoken. After all, to have someone say that turtles are big, or old, or that they get tired dragging themselves up the beach doesn't really tell us much at all. There's little way to tell just how big, or old, or how tired they get. And so we forget. But to see the pictures or even the video, fills in some of those gaps. We can see how big, and get an idea of how old. And we can see how slow they move up the beach. We remember those images. But if that were enough, there would be no reason to come see for yourself. And yet, we must. Because there is no substitute for standing next to that amazing animal, touching its shell, listening to its breathing and holding its eggs in your hands. And realizing that you helped extend the life of an animal that can't survive without your help. Those are the moments when students are transformed. That's when the lesson changes from turtles are big or old to turtles are dinosaurs and they are still alive. Teachers can sit back and watch the transformation. Students that never cared in class and that would never stop talking are suddenly speechless and in the days that follow, their questions come naturally. Born of a connection they could never understand sitting at a desk.

HOW HARD IS THIS TRIP?
This is an adventure trip. It is not a trip for the faint of heart. It is not for people who don't like to get wet or dirty. It is a trip for those people who want to have an experience that will take them out of their comfort zone. Its for people who want to do what it takes to see the rainforest up close and recognize that they will get wet. However as for how physically demanding the trip is. Everybody should be able to do this trip. But you should be aware that some parts require long walks, hiking up and down mountains. The turtle work happens late at night and many activities will leave students asleep in their seats aboard the bus. Our staff is very flexible and responsible about this, and while the guides may take you to your limit, they will never force you to go beyond it. No one is required to do everything. The guides will always accompany the students, so everyone in the group, students and teachers alike, have the option to pass on an activity and do something less strenuous. We have experienced guides and drivers who will be looking out for you. They want you to have an experience that you will enjoy and remember forever, but not at the loss of safety and intelligence.

WILL IT BE SAFE?
This is the number one question we get. Overall, the answer is a hearty, Yes. While there is risk in all travel, Ecodestination has prided itself on a track record of over a decade of successful trips with students. In addition, Ecodestination has been endorsed my the risk management firm Adventure Management as an exceptionally well run and safety oriented tour operator.We carefully choose activities with companies that have a history of experience with children and proven records. The activities are strenuous but because of the heightened level of activity, we train our staff to be extra vigilant and groups are kept from truly dangerous environments and situations. The most common problems we face are from bug bites, sunburns, bumps and bruises, and blisters. All of which can be lessened if not completely prevented by intelligent decisions and preparation.

HOW RELIABLE IS THE INFORMATION PROVIDED?
Our guides are either biologists or advanced naturalist guides who have lived in this environment and are anxious to share it with you. Ecodestination chooses every guide carefully, and the information they share can be trusted to be accurate.

WILL I HAVE TO SHARE A ROOM OR EVEN A BED WITH SOMEONE?
Yes, you will be sharing. Rooms range from 2-5 students each. We rarely stay more than 2 nights in one place and so bedding assignments can change regularly. It is best to be flexible with whatever situation you find yourself in. Accomodations range from very rough bunks at the turtle station (we work through most of the night anyway and sleep in hammocks during the day) to the very soft beds of 4-5 star hotels. Either way it is a very good idea to recruit a friend to go with you. Your teacher will ask you to state a preference for bunkmates, and that choice will be respected.

WILL I HAVE FUN?
Usually students worry that they won't have much fun on an educational trip. We think it is very important that they have fun while they are learning, so we choose our guides carefully, looking for a perfect balance of education, respect, responsibility and fun, games, and joy all packed into one person. Our guides are young enough to still have a child's spirit and enough energy to keep up with students, but old enough to give good advice, information and protection whenever they are required to. Separate of the guides though, there are very few students who find adventure like this boring. So it safe to say that if you find the following activities fun, then you are in for the time of your life.
Snorkeling
Working with and touching turtles, and helping the hatchlings
Ziplining through the treetops
Holding live sloths at the sloth sanctuary
White water rafting
Swimming around waterfalls
Soaking in hot springs
Horseback riding
Boogie boarding
Birdwatching and nature hikes
Swimming in pools and in the ocean
Playing on beautiful beaches

WHO WILL BE IN CHARGE OF THE KIDS?
First responsibility for the students rests with their teachers, who have the ultimate authority over them, but the guides work along with them in a strong alliance to ensure constant vigilance. All Ecodestination guides are professional and are concerned about the safety of your kids. It is important for you to know our guides are trained in First Aid and CPR techniques. We always request information about any illness, health problem or special needs your children may have so we are prepared to help them.

HOW CAN WE TALK TO OUR CHILDREN?
The places we visit, except the Ecodestination turtle preserve, have international telephone service. Students can make collect or credit card calls easily. Calling card calls have proved to be less reliable though. We also we have our e-mail available around the clock, so you can send an e-mail and it will be delivered to your child, who can then answer you.

WHAT HAPPENS IF THERE IS AN EMERGENCY?
Ecodestination has professionally trained guides who will know what to do and where to go. We have 24-hour contact with our headquarters through Mobile phones, pagers, radio band and e-mail. If an emergency occurs in a remote area, we are one of the only Costa Rican travel programs who have helicopter service at our disposal. Of course when decisions need to be made our instructors know to contact you immediately in case of an accident or illness, which is why it's very important that you fill out all forms completely and accurately, and give us phone numbers and ways you can be reached, and that you note clearly any illness or health issue your child has. We are insured by The National Insurance Institute with coverage for up to $1,000,000 for accident or death. In Costa Rica, health care is a socialized program. It is free to all, so $1,000,000 is an extremely high amount of money for care. But it does allow our participants to visit private hospitals and doctors to assure the finest care. Also our transport (bus) company is insured with general civil responsibility polices for totals up to ¢316,000,000 (colons, or about $1,000,000). Each of the activities that we participate in also carry insurance. If you’d like, we can also assist travelers who wish to obtain individual insurance to cover them during their stay here. A copy of insurance policy is available upon request.

HOW SAFE IS COSTA RICA?
Our country is a stable democracy with a long history of peace and economic opportunity. Our crime rate is low, and Costa Ricans are dedicated to keeping tourism, our number one industry, flourishing. Costa Rica abolished its military over 50 years ago and has since been putting all that defense money into free health care and education. It is in many ways the Switzerland of Central America. Ecodestination hires only highly skilled, experienced professional drivers, some of whom are bilingual and all are dedicated to making the trip fun and safe.

ARE THE FOOD AND WATER SAFE?
Water conditions in Costa Rica are among the best in Latin America. One hundred per cent of the urban areas and eighty-two per cent of the rural areas have access to safe water. However, we understand your concern about this topic and so we provide big containers of bottled water throughout the trip. Each child should bring his or her own small containers and fill them as needed from our bottled supply . Our clients always rave about the food we provide, and we are proud of that. We have heard that the kids like our food so much that some of them have asked for rice and beans for breakfast back home instead of pancakes, so don't worry, we know how to keep them happy. We do need to know if your child is allergic to any specific food, is vegetarian, or has some other special dietary need, any of which we can accommodate. Please fill out the form we provide, so we can plan in advance what to provide.