For a slide show, see www.dslcc.edu/srollinson/CR2002/index.htm

It all started in Susan Rollinson’s Advanced Placement Environmental Science class at the Jackson River Governor’s School at Dabney S. Lancaster Community College in Clifton Forge. “Hey, Mrs. Rollinson, Douthat [State Park] is OK, but we need a field trip to rain forest!” “Yeah, Jerel has family in Brazil. Let’s all go visit them!”

Well, it turns out that it’s easier (and less expensive) to see a rain forest in Costa Rica than Brazil. Rollinson turned the project over to Chuck Bartocci, had of Pulp and Paper Technology at DSLCC, and the local expert on educational foreign travel.

Bartocci set up a tour through EF Tours in Cambridge, MA. DSLCC set up a passport photo session, and made passport applications available. Then September 11 came, and with a sign-up deadline of September 15, not too many parents were comfortable sending their children across the street, much less to Central America.

Nonetheless, Bartocci and Rollinson each took a son to Costa Rica this past July, and were so impressed with the tour, that they are planning a return trip in July 2004. In addition to the rain forests and cloud forests, Costa Rica also offers volcanoes, hot springs, and beaches. Food is excellent, local water supplies are tested and drinkable, and internet cafes can be found in the unlikeliest places.

Costa Rica is arguably the most stable and democratic country in Latin America. The military was abolished in 1949, and the savings were plowed into education, health care, and infrastructure. As a result, Costa Rica has one of the highest literacy rates in the world, an enviable health care system, and electricity to every remote nook and cranny. It has become a retirement haven for many Americans because of its low cost-of-living and many amenities.
The mountainous terrain means that Costa Rica’s climate is surprisingly cool. Daytime highs are typically in the 70’s and overnight lows in the 60’s. Costa Ricans claim it is “eternal spring.” Only in the coastal areas do you come across the steamy weather usually associated with the tropics.

An opportunity to view exotic wildlife is one Costa Rica’s major attractions, and this trip did not disappoint. Howler monkeys greeted the group with their loud social racket, hummingbirds were everywhere, and crocodiles revealed their impressive teeth.

Oh, yes. The group did get to see a rain forest—up close and personal. On the “Sky Walk” visitors travel through the forest canopy on suspension bridges and trails, while the more adventurous get a bird’s eye view from the “Sky Trek” zip lines that approach 400 feet above the forest floor.

For the 2004 trip, Bartocci wants to “recruit at least fifteen more travelers,” while Rollinson says, “I need to learn Spanish!”

Individuals who are interested in traveling with the group should call Chuck Bartocci at 540-863-2892 for more information. The planned departure date is July 8, 2004, from Washington, DC, and transportation from Clifton Forge will be arranged.

For more information on the Jackson River Governor's School, contact Rollinson at srollinson@dslcc.edu.