Costa Rica Informational Meeting Overview, 1/17/2007

Trip Web Page - http://www.ecoteach.com/2007/uni.htm

EcoTeach Site - http://www.ecoteach.org/

Cost - $2,315 ($1595 + $720 flight from O'Hare)
Travel medical policy, exit taxes, meals, housing, all transportation, trip delay insurance, baggage loss and partial trip cancellation insurance are included.

Recommended Additional Money (Costa Rica) - $250 for tips, souvenirs, etc.

U of I Insurance - $20.50 (Plus forms that we can deal with in February! A sampling include a data sheet for insurance, parental authorized power of attorney, affidavit of health insurance, student conduct agreement, student travel agreement, field trip consent and waiver, and a medical information form.)

Total - $2,586 A minimum of 10 students required for trip to take place. Maximum of 20 students.

 Detailed Deposit and Payment Information

$45 registration fee/deposit (this goes toward the $2315) should be in the form of a check made out to EcoTeach. Please give this to Mr. Stone according to the following schedule:

Past Field Biology Students, Seniors and Juniors (17) - deposits due Friday, January 19

Sophomores (7) - Notified electronically during the weekend if there are openings, deadline for deposits is Tuesday, January 23

Freshmen (9) - Notified of openings on Wednesday, Jan 24, deadline for deposits is Friday, January 26

Subfreshmen (?) - Notified of openings over the weekend, deposit deadline at noon, Tuesday, January 30

Deposits mailed to EcoTeach Tuesday, January 30

Payment Schedule - $750 due February 15, $750 due April 1, balance due May 15

Passport Required - See http://www.ecoteach.com/2007/uni.htm page for information regarding the passport. I would like to have each parent photocopy their child's passport and send me a copy of the passport.

Cell Phone Service to Costa Rica - check with provider, Medication - see web page for information

Alcohol or Drug Use, Inappropriate or Unsafe Behavior by Students - returned to U.S. at their family's expense

 More Detailed Housing Information

Trip leaders/chaperones are housed separately from the students. Information below is from Deb Smucker, EcoTeach.

ATENAS: first and last night -each room has a private bathroom (and in one place we use, each room has two separate bathrooms!)

TURTLE PROJECT AT PARISMINA: small basic hotel. Hardwood floors. Private bath (shower, flush toilets, though hot water is a little spotty). Each room has 3 beds. The town has a website at http://www.parismina.com/ .

ARENAL: Don Juan's cabins. Each cabin has either two bunkbeds or a bunkbed and a doublebed (so up to 4 in a room). Each cabin has it's own bathroom.

PITAL FARMSTAYS: 3-4 people are placed for one night with a family (along with an EcoTeach translator/chaperone). Bathrooms are shared with the family. You will be in the same house with some of your students for the night, but you won't need to share a room with them. More info about this experience can be found at <http://www.ecoteach.com/admin/spotlight/PitalFarmstay.pdf>www.ecoteach.com/admin/spotlight/PitalFarmstay.pdf.

PUNTA LEONA RESORT: each room here has two double beds and private bath. We put two people to a room. <http://www.hotelpuntaleona.com/>www.hotelpuntaleona.com (and if you look under accommodations, you all will be staying in the selvamar rooms).

Last modified 1/17/2007.