has your teen gone on a school trip to Costa Rica?

[Grumpy's Gal]

mine wants to go. Anyone? I want to hear the good and not so good. Was it a worthwhile trip for your teen?

 

[ChrizJen]

No advice, as I don't have a teen who's gone to Costa Rica.
But my brother and SIL just had to say no to my 13 yr old neice.
Her 8th grade class is going there for a class trip.
Even though it seems that the class will be adequately chaparoned, the problem that my brother had with saying yes is that she is too young to make rational decisions should she get separated from her group. She's a very level-headed young lady, but who knows how she would react if she were put into a dangerous situation? She's never really had to find her way out of a scary situation before. My brother and SIL do not want to test that out on a trip to Costa Rica!!! They said they would rather give her smaller bits of freedom and let her prove herself. Then she can go on a senior class trip later down the road once she's proven that she's capable of handling herself if faced with a sticky situation.

 

[dakcp2001]

I spent a summer there as a college student years ago, it was a life changing experience! Most beautiful place ever!!!

I think depending on the age, and who will be with them. CR is pretty safe, I felt much safer there than when I lived in NY, and in Boston. Most crimes that happen there are petty thefts. DOes the teen speak any Spanish?

In the capitol city, there are a lot of pickpockets etc, but if the kids know to keep their money in a money belt, and nothing in their wallet and learn basic personal safety, I really think they should go if given the opportunity!

Let em go!!!!!!! If you are nervous, offer to go along! You will not regret it!

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

DS went on soccer trips to the UK when he was 14, Bermuda when he was 15 (we also went on that one, but didn't stay with the team), and Costa Rica when he was 16. He loved Costa Rica the most...beautiful, and so different than what he was used to seeing. Had an awesome experience. I don't think in all those trips he or anyone else ever got separated from the group.

Both of my DDs have been to Spain when they were HS Juniors, and DS will go next year when he's a senior. Oldest DD also spent summer of '08 taking college courses in Spain, then traveling in Europe with a friend for two weeks, and then meeting up in Korea and Japan with foreign exchange students she had met at college here in the US. All great experiences.

For all organized trips, the rules were pretty clear about behavior and what was and was not allowed. I felt pretty comfortable about them going on all those trips, and am thrilled they had the opportunities. There's nothing like traveling and seeing and meeting people from other cultures. Priceless.

 

[jrmasm]

My DD went to Costa Rica last year with her soccer team. She was 13. She had the time of her life. And I think between the coaches, trainer, chaperones and tour guides, the kids might have been out numbered!!

No one got seperated. And as far as I know, everyone behaved.

They arrived a week or so after a fairly major earthquake.

I wouldn't hesitate to send her again. Heck I might even try to chaperone next time.