July 16, 2024
It’s so hard to believe we are halfway through the trip! This group is nothing short of special. They are adventurous, lively, and hilarious. They make every single moment fun! We absolutely loved our time in Costa Rica, but we are so excited about scuba diving in Belize!
Since we talked to you last we have made so many more memories! We started day 5 ready to attack our most challenging hike of the trip! The group was eager to transform into Avatar characters at the waterfall we hiked to. We had a delicious breakfast of oatmeal, cereal, fresh juice, and fruit to start our day. Cooper was extremely chivalrous and even offered to clean everyone’s plates! At the beginning of our hike, we did a farm tour of Buenaventura! Kate was first to jump in and feed the horse named Cacao! She even had a country accent throughout the tour! We began the hike with a straight uphill climb, which Lila was not afraid to conquer and encourage the group throughout the hike! We admired the beautiful mountains of Costa Rica behind us. The luscious green view took our breath away! We shortly arrived at Toucan Falls where everyone quickly jumped into the pools of the waterfall! Teddy even found an air pocket under the waterfall where he could breathe underwater! The group quickly followed him under the waterfall. After swimming around for a little, the group covered themselves in blue clay! Rhys was the first to slick his hair into a mohawk with the clay, he made everyone laugh and the boys were quick to follow! After covering ourselves top to bottom with blue clay, we got to draw designs in orange clay to really turn into Avatars! True was great at drawing designs all over the group which everyone loved! It was truly unforgettable, and something nobody had ever done before! We jumped into the water to wash off the clay and splash around before heading down for lunch! We showered off and enjoyed a lunch of rice, chicken, coleslaw, fruit, juice, and chips! Everyone licked their plates clean before packing up! We gathered our things and sadly said goodbye to our amazing adventures at Buenaventura! Quickly after, we hopped in the bus for our longest drive, which felt like two seconds with this group! We played games and sang songs to pass the time before arriving at Turrialba for white water rafting!
We woke up the next morning PUMPED for white water rafting. We had our favorite breakfast yet, pancakes! We quickly ate before packing up and jumping in the van! While we were in the van, Vivian requested the song “Gasolina” which got the group hyped up for the day! This song quickly became one of our favorites of the trip. We arrived at the river and divided into teams to conquer the rapids. We learned about the commands of the rapids and how to be safe on the river before heading out! James was the first to hop in the front of the raft, not afraid to take on the challenge! We headed down the rapids to the river lodge. The lodge quickly became everyone’s favorite place with its insane view of the river and the rolling mountains on each side. We enjoyed our afternoon by playing group games and relaxing in the hammocks! We ended our night doing Moonup in the top bunks of the girls room, which is something we will never forget. Eventually, we rushed to bed, excited for our intense day on the rapids.
The following day we woke up with another breakfast of pancakes! How exciting! We gathered our backpacks and headed down to the rapids. Throughout the challenging rapids, Hadley kept us all entertained with riddles! Spirits were high and the group fearlessly rafted down class three and four rapids, which are the most difficult on the river! Fletcher was quick to hop in the water to float down the canyon between rapids! We ended our white water rapid adventures celebrating with sandwiches, fresh fruit, and chips! We hopped in the van and headed to our lodging for the night, to prepare for our big day in the airport! We ended the night with a memorable Moonup led by Lillia and Baer! They started with a hilarious skit where Baer was pushed into the pool fully clothed! Everyone was crying and laughing, and it quickly became one of our favorite moments. After, we headed to bed for our extremely early wake-up!
Our airport day was nothing short of fun with this group. They made everything easy as we transferred to Belize! We absolutely love every second spent with this group and wish it would never end! We cannot wait to learn how to scuba dive and we will update you all soon! For now, here are some shoutouts from the group!
Vivian: Hi! Miss and love you guys a lot! Can’t wait to see to you but having so much fun! Going scuba tomorrow and I’m so so so excited. Hope dc is just as fun. See you soon!
James: Hey, I’m had a lot of fun in Costa Rica and Belize is really cool. Don’t really want to come home but I am excited to see you guys!!!
True: Hi! I’m having so much fun, this is the coolest trip ever. we just got to Belize and we have had so much fun. The group is so much fun and I love y’all but don’t really wanna come home. Okay bye
Cooper: Hey Guys! We’re having a lot of fun! My group is awesome and can’t wait to tell yall all abt it but! I love and miss yall! I hope D liked his present!
Fletcher: Hey Mom and Dad! I’m missing you but I’m having the best time here. We all just got to Belize and will start scuba tomorrow! See both of you in a week! Love you!
-Fletcher G
Lillia: Hey! Me and True are having so so much fun here and I can’t believe we are already in Belize! We love our group and have had tons of fun with them. Tomorrow is our first time scuba diving and we already surfed, zip lined, white water rafted, and did community service. Can’t wait to see y’all, Mackenzie and MB!! I hope the surgery went well! -Lilla
Kate: HEY FAMILYYY!!! I am having the best time ever, and this trip is already 10x better than last years. My group is amazing and I love love love my counselors. So far, we’ve gone white water rafting, surfing, and did some service work. We just arrived in Belize and tomorrow we start scuba diving!!! I can’t wait to see yall and tell you all about my trip. I love yall❣️❣️ (and Millie & scout)
Rhys: Hey, mom and dad I’m having an amazing time here. My group is amazing and everyone is really nice! We’ve gone white water rafting, surfing, and zip lining and now we are in Belize ready to go scuba diving!! And I can’t wait to come home but at the same time I love it here! But still can’t wait to see you guys!!!
Lila: Hey! I’m having such a good time! We are scuba diving tomorrow so I am so excited to tell you all how it is. We just arrived in Belize and it is sooo hot and my clothes stink. Hopefully washing them in the sink will help. Cant wait to see you all! ❤️❤️ Love you!!
Baer: Hey Mom and Dad! I’m having such a great time, today we just got to Belize and it’s soooooo hot. I love my group so much and all of our activities so far have been incredible! I can’t wait to see yall next week and I’m having the time possible. I love yall!!! ♥️♥️♥️
Teddy: Hey, Mom and Dad I am actually having the best time ever!! The people and the counselors are so good and I love all of you guys so so much. We have done so many activities like white water rafting, surfing, and zip lining! The next activity we do is scuba diving which is going to be the best time ever!! Tell Libby that I miss her so so much! I love you guys!!
Hadley:
HEYYY!!! I miss all of y’all so so much. Costa Rica was absolutely amazing. I literally can’t pick a favorite part it was all magical🪄We just arrived in Belize and are now preparing for our big 4 days of scuba diving🤿Im SOO hype. I love my group and the counslers!! Everyone here is so nice. And guess what… in Belize I can find some shopping🛍️Tell Monty I miss him TONS!!!! can’t wait to see y’all next week.
Love y’all