Erin Nahas, a 15-year-old Girl Scout from Castaic, completed the Costa Rica and Panama Service Challenge Destination with Outward Bound Costa Rica. During the 14-day course, Erin contributed to two major service-learning projects and pushed her limits with adventure activities.

“My Outward Bound Experience has changed my life and will stay with me forever,” Erin said.

Erin and her group began their time in Costa Rica by rerouting water flow in a local rainforest reserve located near Outward Bound Costa Rica’s rainforest base. Next, Erin and her group set off to a small indigenous village in the Talamanca region to help paint an elementary school. The group interacted and learned from the local elementary students and community, practicing their Spanish and learning a few words in the village’s dialect. They learned the traditional way of making chocolate from the cacao plant as well.

In Panama, the Girls worked to protect marine life while helping with a sea turtle conservation project. Erin helped to build habitats, catalog nests and monitor turtles on patrols.

Erin and her course mates rounded out their adventures with a day of whitewater rafting on the Pejibaye River and a zipline canopy tour through jungle valleys.

“Outward Bound Costa Rica’s programs, like the one Erin participated in, create environments that allow for personal and leadership development through challenges, group effort and cross-cultural understanding,” said Jim Rowe, Executive Director of Outward Bound Costa Rica.

Since 2006, Outward Bound Costa Rica has been partnered with Girls Scout of the USA to offer unique and exciting Girl Scouts Destinations trips in Costa Rica and Panama. These trips provide young girls the opportunity to see the world, meet fellow Girl Scouts from across the nation and challenge themselves through adventure in unfamiliar settings.

About Outward Bound Costa Rica

Founded in 1991, Outward Bound Costa Rica inspires leadership, compassion, and responsibility through adventure-based wilderness experiences. Activities include backpacking, rafting, kayaking, surfing, rappelling and scuba diving as well as cultural experiences such as homestays with local families. For more information, visit www.outwardboundcostarica.org.