Eleven days without air conditioning, cable, colas, or fast food - it may sound like an episode from Survivor, but 18 Father Ryan students, three parents, and two teachers (Mrs Beasley and Mrs McWatters) did just that this summer on an ecological and cultural excursion to Costa Rica.

EcoTeach is a United States/Costa Rican based conservation organization providing education-centered expeditions within Costa Rica. The program helps to raise conservational, educational, and cultural awareness through a variety of hands-on experiences such as helping to protect endangered sea turtles, doing volunteer work painting a classroom, visiting local high schools, hiking to a waterfall, and participating in a reforestation project in San Marcos. The students also had the opportunity to homestay with families.

Fun time included white water rafting through the rainforest, ziplining, time at the beach, and plenty of opportunities to play soccer with the local residents. One special day trip consisted of going through Athenas and the Central Valley to visit an orphanage run by a relative of the McWatters. In preparation for their trip, each Fr Ryan student had adopted a child and then were able to give him or her the package filled with toys, school supplies, socks, books, and toiletries.

Although most decided that they have had enough black beans and rice to last a lifetime, everyone agrees that it was a great trip and an awesome experience!