2025 Goffstown Costa Rica Service Adventure

Final Adventures and Lasting Memories

We started off our day with breakfast, enjoying some delicious blood orange juice to drink. Afterward, we got on the bus and headed to La Fortuna waterfall. Once we arrived, we checked in and began our trek down 500 steps to the base of the waterfall, where we took a multitude of photos of the breathtaking scenery.

When we finished taking pictures, we headed down to the swimming area, where we fought against strong currents and had fun playing on the rocks, enjoying the cool, refreshing water. Some of us wandered off to soak in the scenery a bit more. Eventually, we made our way back up the 500 steps—by the time we reached the top, our calves were burning!

We got back on the bus and returned to the hotel to finish packing our bags. Then, we headed out for our final lunch together in Costa Rica. The meals were delicious, and it was so special to enjoy that time with everyone one last time.

After lunch, we loaded back onto the bus and made the long ride to San José. Along the way, we stopped for snacks, which were really fun to share as a group. We finally arrived at the same hotel where we had stayed on our first day, making the entire trip feel like a full circle of adventures.

After dropping off our luggage in our rooms, we spent some time playing a card game with others from the group. We didn’t finish the game, though, because we ended up doing something even more meaningful: reflecting on our trip as a group. This was one of the most powerful moments of the entire experience. We not only recognized the impact the trip had on each of us individually, but also the connections and friendships we had built along the way.

To close out the evening, we each received a piece of paper to write a letter to ourselves three years into the future—a special way to capture the lessons and memories from this journey. We then gathered one last time for our farewell dinner, which was filled with food, laughter, and smiles shared among people who had started as strangers and ended as friends.

A Day Full of Fun, Food, and Adventure

Yesterday, Tessa, Gwen, and I woke up in our room after a good night’s rest and rushed to breakfast because we had slept in a little too late. Everyone was very excited for the zipline—especially me! Once we arrived, we got all our gear on and started climbing up the tower to begin the zipline experience. I was the first to go in our group, and it was so much fun.

We ziplined for about two hours, though it definitely didn’t feel that long. Afterward, we broke into smaller groups and went shopping while walking around downtown. Later, we had lunch at an amazing restaurant. I actually ended up eating more of Tessa’s pizza than my own lunch!

Everyone was super full, but we kept exploring and shopping in town. Eventually, we returned to the hotel—still full—and then headed to a chocolate and coffee tour. It was really cool… and also very filling. I don’t think I’ve ever had that much chocolate in one day!

Back at the hotel, some people were hanging out in my room or just outside. Gwen, Luca, Aidan, and I decided to walk around downtown at night. It was really fun to explore and see new stores in the evening.

We had to be back at the hotel by 7:40 so we could head out for a late dinner. Everyone was convinced we wouldn’t be able to finish our meals—but I ate all of mine, and Luca finished three!

It was a very busy but super exciting day.

Rafting, Hot Springs, and a Bittersweet Goodbye

Today we woke up at our host family’s house. We made sure we had all of our stuff ready to go and gave our host family gifts right after finishing breakfast. For breakfast, we had a quesadilla with egg inside and some pineapple. We said our final goodbyes to our host mom, little baby Matías, and the dogs. We exchanged numbers so we could keep in touch. Then it was time to go to our meeting spot, where our host dad and little girl Colette took us. Colette kept waving and seemed a little sad when she left.

Once all of us were together, we got on the bus and headed to our white water rafting adventure! When we arrived, we had a short lesson on how to row and what different commands meant, just in case—we were glad to know them. With our life vests and helmets on and paddles in hand, we got into our raft.

Our guide was super funny. During the trip, we jumped off a cliff, swam in the river, and even got playfully pushed into the water when our guide tilted the boat—he knew some of us wanted to get soaked! We also stopped at a little river beach where we had coconut crackers, pineapple, and watermelon. The rapids (up to class 3) were exciting, and we saw a lot of wildlife, including birds and iguanas. We even learned that one bird we spotted can dive underwater for up to a minute while hunting for fish.

Once we reached the end of the route, we took a van back to our bus and then went to a local restaurant for lunch. They served frozen juices that were super sweet and delicious. After lunch, we began the long drive to La Fortuna, home of the Arenal Volcano. When we arrived, we checked into our hotel, played a few rounds of Uno, and some of us took a nap.

In the evening, we went to the hot springs—natural pools warmed by the nearby volcano. We swam in small, rocky pools with different temperatures. Then we tried out three different water slides. Our favorite was the “toilet bowl” slide, where you spin around before dropping through a hole in the center. We also relaxed in a steamy sauna with hot pools.

To end the day, we had dinner buffet-style. There was everything from pasta to rice and beans to other traditional Costa Rican dishes, plus fresh fruit juice and delicious desserts. After dinner, we headed back to the hotel and went to bed, ready for another big day tomorrow.

A Full Day of Farewell: Painting, Playing, and Celebrating in San Ramón

Today was our last day with our host families.

We woke up feeling excited — ready to finish our painting project and celebrate with a fiesta. For breakfast, our host mom made us tamales, which we ate with cheese and avocado. Tessa had never tried tamales before — she liked them! Gwen shared that her mom also makes tamales at home, especially during the winter holidays.

After breakfast, we were picked up and headed to the school. We started the day with our usual mood, stomach, and energy check — it’s a great way to check in with the group. Everyone seemed to be in a good place today!

During our morning with the students, we played Red Light, Green Light and soccer. Soccer is always a hit, but many kids also joined in the group games. After a few rounds, we split into smaller groups to play “Pato, pato, ganso” and Night at the Museum — the kids loved both!

Later, I (Tessa) ended up playing cards (War) with a few amigas. It was easy to play and explain, and the kids were so open and positive about trying new games.

Once the school bell rang, we got to work. We split into three groups, each tackling different buildings or areas. This system helped us stay organized and efficient.

Tessa, Gwen, Mariela, and Señora McKinnon worked together on a side building. It was tough — there was still a lot of plaster on the walls. Gwen and Señora McKinnon used rollers for the big areas, while Mariela and Tessa handled the details.

Around 10:00, we paused for a quick watermelon snack break, then jumped right back into painting. We pushed hard to finish. When lunchtime came, we still needed a bit more time, so we worked an extra 15 minutes before heading to eat.

At 12:15, we had lunch. Our host mom packed us rice, chicken, cucumbers, plátanos, and an apple. It was amazing — even the apple was one of the best we’ve had in a while! Most people had rice and some kind of meat.

After eating, we had a short discussion to prepare our words for the farewell ceremony. It was clear from everyone’s ideas just how much this school experience has impacted us.

After our break, we painted for a bit longer, giving a second coat to areas that needed it. Then we headed to the 1:30 farewell ceremony.

First, the school director spoke, followed by five people from our group who each said a few heartfelt words. We thanked the school, the staff, and the students, saying things like:

“Thank you for this opportunity… San Ramón has a special place in our hearts… we loved talking and getting to know you all… pura vida.”

As a thank-you, the school gave each of us a colorful keychain with our names and “Costa Rica” on the back — such a kind and thoughtful gift. We will treasure them always.

After the ceremony, we were treated to “copos”, a Costa Rican shaved ice topped with syrup and powdered milk. We had already tried them with our host family, and we were happy to enjoy one again before leaving San Ramón.

Saying goodbye to the students was emotional and hard. We’re going to miss them so much. They’ve been so sweet, generous, and full of life.

Before leaving the school, we had just enough time to touch up the paint: cleaning ceramic tiles, fixing the lines, and making everything look as neat as possible.

On the ride home, we had a car concert featuring Bruno Mars. When we got back, Camille was outside riding the horse. Our host family greeted us warmly.

That afternoon, we spent time playing with our host family. Camille, Mishelle, Gwen, and Tessa played jump rope and rummy together after chatting. Then a storm rolled in, and we gathered with aunts, uncles, and cousins on the back porch with tea, coffee, bread, and salsa.

Around 5:00 PM, we started getting ready for the farewell fiesta. We arrived a bit late, accompanied by two of our host sisters’ cousins and their aunt.

Later that evening, each student gave a short thank-you message to their host families. Everyone was full of gratitude and emotion.

Then it was time to eat! We served food to our families as a way of giving back. Dinner was arroz con pollo, salad with salsa, beans, and potatoes.

After dinner, we danced — bachata, salsa, merengue, and swing criollo — dances we had learned in our Tuesday class. Since it was Hazel’s (Señora’s host mom) birthday, we surprised her with a cake and sang Happy Birthday.

We also broke open a piñata and got Costa Rican candy! The cake had peaches and strawberries on top, with the words Goffstown + Costa Rica. We danced again after dessert to Cotton-Eyed Joe, Macarena, and Cupid Shuffle.

By around 9:00 PM, the party had ended, and we returned home to begin preparing for tomorrow’s departure to Sarapiquí.

We spent time getting our host family gifts ready before finally heading to bed.

Painting & Soccer: A Full Day in San Ramón

Today was day three staying with our host family.

This morning, we woke up and had a delicious breakfast made by our host mom. She served us “punta de gallo” (rice and beans) with a fried egg, a homemade tortilla, and spicy tomato sauce on top. During breakfast, we chatted with her about our plans for the day. Our host sister, Collette, joined us as well.

After breakfast, we packed our bags and walked to the bus stop with Señora De Marco and Señora McKinnon. Once everyone was picked up, we made our way to San Ramón. On the way, we finally got a clear view of a volcano we hadn’t been able to see before because it had been so cloudy—super cool!

When we arrived at the school, we were greeted by the excited children. The first activity we played was the “parachute” game. Some kids played soccer, while others enjoyed a silly card game called “Tacocat Goat Cheese Pizza”. They absolutely loved it and were thrilled when they won cards. We also played “Pato Pato Ganzo” (Duck Duck Goose), which got everyone laughing and running around.

Eventually, the kids returned to class, and we got to work. Today, we painted the outer buildings of the school and did some touch-ups in areas we had missed.

After about two hours, we took a short break and snacked on bananas and watermelon provided by the school, along with fruits brought from our host families. We shared soursop (which we had tried and loved the night before), and Luca and Nate brought guaba, a fuzzy fruit with big seeds that was somewhat similar.

After a few more hours of painting, it was time for lunch. Our host mom had packed us tender steak with a tasty sauce, white rice, and a side of cabbage salad. Everything was delicious.

Once we finished lunch, we played soccer for about an hour until it was time to get back to work. When the workday ended, we drove to a local soccer field for a friendly match with some of the town’s locals. A lot of people came to play, and it was a blast!

Later, we returned to our host family’s house. We taught our host sister, Collette, and her cousin, Zoe, how to make friendship bracelets. While we crafted, our host mom’s sister and mother stopped by for a quick visit.

As we worked on our bracelets, our host moms prepared us a fresh fruit plate with juicy pineapple, strawberries, and oranges picked straight from the tree in the yard. Since it had been a busy day, our host dad ordered pizza for dinner — half Hawaiian, half pepperoni — and we drank Pepsi.

We ate outside on the porch and chatted about different topics. Their dog, Gogi, barked a lot but kept us company. After dinner, we each took turns holding our adorable three-month-old baby host brother, Mathias, while our host mom got Collette ready for bed.

We ended the evening talking a bit more before heading to our rooms to rest up for another full day tomorrow.

From Paintbrushes to Salsa: A Wild Day in San Ramón

I woke up feeling hot — the fan in our host family’s bedroom was a big change from the air conditioning we had back at the hotel. Eli got woken up by howler monkeys — crazy, right?

We had a lovely breakfast of gallo pinto (rice and beans), an omelet (tortilla de huevos con queso), and plantains (plátanos). We drank coffee (we couldn’t function without it). There’s a gecko living behind our refrigerator!

After waking up at 6:30 and leaving the house at 7:45, Eli and I were picked up in a van instead of the bus this time. Honestly, I preferred the change — the van had a ton of air conditioning and it felt amazing. We were the second-to-last ones to be picked up; Luca and Nate were last after we pulled over to spot a sloth in the trees by the side of the road.

We arrived at Escuela San Ramón around 8:45 and immediately jumped into a soccer match with what felt like hundreds of little kids. It was total chaos — we couldn’t tell one team from another, and eventually, all we could do was try not to get trampled in the mob.

After free time ended and we were nice and warmed up, we got to work painting and power washing the school. Around 11:00, we took a quick 30-minute break and had some fresh pineapple and papaya with water.

We kept working mostly on painting. We finished the first coat on the main building and started spreading out to other areas. I thought we were almost done—until someone told me we needed multiple coats of paint. So we started a second coat on the first building and made good progress.

Lunch was around 12:00. Our host families had packed it for us — Eli and I had rice, beans, and fish fillet. I couldn’t finish it all; the portions here are huge.

After lunch, we played another round of soccer. Luca and Eli looked like pros, and Luis and Rafael were great too. I sat this one out. Then it was back to painting until our arms basically fell off — but it was actually a lot of fun.

Around 3:00 we cleaned up, and then I found out we had a dance class. I can’t dance. Like… at all. But we were taught salsa, merengue, swing criollo, and more. My hips do not move that way, but I tried my best and kind of followed along. We danced with partners, including some of the señoras, and eventually everyone was dancing with everyone. It ended up being a fun way to wrap up the lessons.

It started raining hard as we left the school. We were soaked by the time we got back into the van. Eli and I were the last to be dropped off. Our host met us with an umbrella, but I forgot my poncho… and got drenched. Then came the thunder — before long, it was a full-on Costa Rican storm.

Finally, to end the day, we finished off Eli’s chocolate cake while watching a soccer game.

A Birthday to Remember: Our First Day at Escuela San Ramón

Today was the first day of working at the school in San Ramón. We woke up early in the morning and had a delicious breakfast at our hotel with fruits, eggs, rice, and more. Today was also my birthday, and I got a special treat—banana bread!

After breakfast, we headed to Escuela San Ramón. As we arrived, we saw the happy faces of students already in class. When we entered the school, we received a warm welcome and a proper introduction. The morning began with the singing of the Costa Rican national anthem and a song dedicated to Sarapiquí. After that, the kids danced for us—disco style—and even invited us to join in.

To my surprise, the students and teachers sang “Happy Birthday” to me, which made the moment even more special. We finished the welcome ceremony by introducing ourselves to the students and sharing something we enjoy.

Once the introductions were over, we were treated to some of the juiciest pineapple I’ve ever tasted before getting to work. We worked until about noon, then washed our hands and sat down for an amazing lunch—fried fish, rice, and vegetables—that honestly tasted better than most meals I’ve had in the States.

After lunch, we got back to work. By then, a new group of students had arrived. The sixth graders had free time, so we had the chance to talk with them and learn about their interests. The boys were especially excited whenever we mentioned soccer.

Later in the afternoon, we cleaned up and headed to our host families. My host mother, Lidia, was incredibly friendly and wished me a happy birthday as soon as we met. When we got to the house, she told us about her grandchildren and their names. A little later, her son arrived on a motorcycle with his daughter.

I brought out a gift I had brought for the family—a game of Cribbage—and tried to explain how to play it using only Spanish. It was a challenge, but I managed to explain it to Lidia, though her son seemed a bit lost in my so-so Spanish.

We spent time doing magic tricks and chatting until Lidia’s sister arrived with her grandkids, Samuel and Ethan—and a birthday cake! After some time, they prepared a simple but tasty dinner of rice and assorted vegetables.

Once dinner was over, some of the other Spanish students came over to celebrate with us. They sang “Happy Birthday” in Spanish, and we all shared the cake and talked some more.

As the night came to a close, the guests began to leave. We met a few local pets around the neighborhood, including a cat and a couple of dogs. Finally, we settled into our rooms for a well-deserved night’s rest.

From Forest Views to Tropical Discoveries: Our Journey to Sarapiquí

Today we started our day at 7:00 with breakfast at La Rosa Hotel. We had gallo pinto (a traditional Costa Rican dish made with rice and beans), scrambled eggs, fresh fruit, coffee, and juice.

At 7:40, we left on our bus heading toward Sarapiquí, the region where our host families are located. Along the way, we made a quick stop at a convenience store to pick up some authentic Costa Rican snacks and drinks. Later, we paused at a breathtaking waterfall to take in the views. Throughout the drive, we were treated to stunning scenery—lush green foliage, winding roads, and a glimpse of el bosque nublado, or the cloud forest.

We arrived at the banana plantation in Sarapiquí around 10:30. There, we learned about the history of banana farming in Costa Rica and how some farms are adopting environmentally-friendly practices. After helping chop vegetables, we enjoyed a hearty lunch. We also had the chance to tour an upper-middle-class Costa Rican home, which gave us insight into daily life in the region.

In the afternoon, we participated in an ethnobotany activity where we explored various herbs and fruits. This was my favorite part of the day! Some of the plants were completely new to me—like nothing I’ve ever seen before. We learned about native medicinal herbs, and while exploring the area, we spotted a sloth, iguanas, and even toucans.

By 3:30, we arrived at our hotel for the night, La Quinta. Upon arrival, we explored the property, which is beautifully integrated into the forest. Along the trails, we saw a turtle, some caimans, and several lizards. Later, the group relaxed by the pool and played a fun game of Sharks and Minnows.

At 7:00, we took the bus to dinner. I had a dish called Arroz Pura Vida, which included fried rice with avocado, tomato, and chicken, along with fries and a pasta salad. To drink, I had strawberry juice.

We returned to La Quinta around 8:30 and wrapped up the day with a group meeting to discuss plans for the upcoming days.

Day 1: From the U.S. to San José, Costa Rica

Today was a long travel day, but also the start of a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. We started super early—way before sunrise—to head to the airport in the U.S. Even though we were all tired, there was definitely a mix of nerves and excitement in the air. For many of us, including me, this is our first time visiting Costa Rica.

After checking in, we went through security and boarded our flight. A few hours later, we landed in Panama City for a layover. The airport there was really busy, but it was also exciting to hear Spanish all around us and realize how far from home we already were.

From Panama, we took another flight to San José, the capital of Costa Rica. Looking out the window as we were landing, we could already see the mountains and all the green—so different from home!

When we finally made it through immigration and grabbed our bags, we were met by Rafael, our Program Leader.

After meeting our local leader, we hopped on the bus and headed to a hotel very close to the airport—and it had a pool! We had some time to unwind after the long day and start getting to know each other better as a group.

We ended the evening with dinner, trying some local food like casado de pollo and beef fajitas, along with other delicious dishes that gave us the energy we’ll need to kick off our adventure tomorrow.

Welcome to the Walking Tree Blog!

Program Leaders will post occasional blog updates and photos here once the program begins. Stay tuned!

Once photos are uploaded, you can click “View Full Gallery” to see all photos at once.