Creating memories in Costa Rica

From ziplining through the jungle to trying locally roasted coffee, the Kahnawake Youth Center (KYC) trip to Costa Rica was one to remember.

“It was a great learning experience, and it built confidence and independence for our youth,” said KYC communications coordinator Jasmine Dearhouse, who accompanied 34 youth between the ages of 14 and 17 on the trip.

The group fundraised $87,000 for the nine-day trip, which saw youth take part in cultural activities accompanied by a local tour guide.

It was many participants’ first time travelling internationally, and Dearhouse said it was exciting to see so many youths get their first taste of the joy of travelling.

“Every single day there was something new to try,” Dearhouse said. “A lot of the kids really stepped outside their comfort zone and realized what they were capable of, and it was really nice to see them grow throughout the nine days, just handling themselves better and feeling more comfortable trying things.”

The trip started with a boat ride through Tortuguero, known for its array of wildlife and a nesting site for endangered green sea turtles.

The group spotted crocodiles, spider monkeys, and even sloths and toucans.

Next came a bus journey to Sarapiquí, where the group passed banana plantations before getting ready for what became a highlight for many: ziplining.

Though there were some initial nerves, it wasn’t long before the youth - and the KYC chaperones - were sailing through the air across the jungle canopy ziplines.

The exhilaration continued with white water rafting on the Rio Sarapiquí, with 14 kilometres of crashing waves making for another highlight of the trip.

“That was a first for a lot of us, we didn’t expect it to be so intense, but it was amazing, and it was probably the best part for a lot of them,” she said. “It was really nice seeing them all bonding and doing teamwork and supporting each other.”

The La Fortuna Waterfall and the Arenal Lake were next up, and youth wasted no time jumping into the water to cool down, showing off their best backflips.

After working up an appetite in the water, a stop at a local farm was welcome - there, youth ate a traditional meal, including locally grown yuka - which had been mashed and boiled - and drank coffee, which was grown and prepared at the farm.

“Everything is grown right from the farm to your plate, and everything was delicious, the coffee is basically straight out of the bean, and everyone was willing to try it,” Dearhouse said. “It was great to see a lot of them trying new foods, because some would say they’re picky eaters, but when it came out and they tried it, they really loved it.”

The final stop was Guanacaste, with another wildlife tour, traditional meal, and snorkelling in the Pacific Ocean.

“It was really amazing to just be immersed in life there and disconnect from being on our phones. It was really nice to see,” Dearhouse said.

There was one phrase the group heard constantly in Costa Rica, which Dearhouse said stuck with everyone as they reflected on their trip - “pura vida,” which translates to “pure life.”

“It’s really about appreciating life, staying positive, and enjoying the moment,” Dearhouse said. “By the end of the trip, the students were all saying it.”

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