Adventure Foundations is an eight-day outdoor skills expedition in Costa Rica for university students, aspiring outdoor professionals, and adventure-curious young adults ages 18–28. No previous paddling, rescue, canyoneering, or surfing experience is required—just basic swimming comfort, reasonable fitness, and a willingness to participate fully. “With purpose” means returning home with more than photos: practical skills, stronger leadership and teamwork, meaningful community engagement, and a clearer understanding of opportunities in outdoor education and adventure work
Day by day
- Day 1 · San José to Turrialba
Meet the group in San José and travel through Costa Rica’s mountain and coffee region to Turrialba. Settle into the group lodging, meet the instructors, review the week’s goals, and begin with orientation, community-building, outdoor ethics, and risk-management foundations. - Day 2 · Turrialba
Participate in a community service and responsible-travel experience before beginning flatwater kayak and SUP training. Practice launching, balance, paddle strokes, boat control, communication, and introductory swiftwater safety concepts. - Day 3 · Pejibaye River
Move from flatwater into a supportive river environment for ACA Swiftwater Rescue and kayaking instruction. Learn to read current, recognize hazards, practice defensive and aggressive swimming, perform self-rescue, control a kayak or inflatable, and make decisions as a team. - Day 4 · Turrialba region
Enter a Costa Rican canyon for a full day of vertical skills. Learn essential knots, rope systems, rappelling techniques, equipment checks, communication procedures, and risk management in a waterfall environment. - Day 5 · Turrialba to Jacó
Travel to Costa Rica’s Pacific coast and transition from river skills to ocean awareness. Begin with ocean orientation, breathwork and apnea fundamentals, water safety, and a coached introductory surf session. - Day 6 · Jacó
Continue developing surf skills through coached practice and individual goals. Work on balance, timing, wave selection, paddling, recovery, and confidence in the ocean, followed by a group reflection and debrief. - Day 7 · Jacó to San José
Enjoy a final morning on the coast before integrating the week’s lessons through reflection, personal action planning, and discussion of outdoor education and career pathways. Return to San José together for the final night. - Day 8 · San José
Depart with new practical skills, stronger confidence, meaningful connections, and clear next steps for continuing in paddlesports, rescue training, service, or outdoor leadership.
What’s included
- Seven nights of shared accommodations
- Scheduled ground transportation from the designated meeting point in San José through the group’s return to San José
- Professional instruction from ACA-certified Swiftwater Rescue and kayak instructors, experienced river guides, and outdoor educators
- All scheduled training and activities
- Kayak, SUP, swiftwater rescue, canyoneering, rope and knot, surfing, apnea, service, and outdoor leadership experiences
- Technical equipment and safety gear for the scheduled activities
- ACA course instruction and the opportunity to earn eligible credentials; attendance and skill requirements apply
- Community service and responsible-travel programming
- Pre-trip preparation, ongoing support, and a detailed packing list
Not included
- Flights to and from Costa Rica
- Travel insurance
- Passport or visa expenses
- Personal purchases, souvenirs, alcoholic beverages, and optional activities
- Gratuities for instructors and guides
- Transportation outside the scheduled group itinerary
What to bring
- Participants should bring quick-drying outdoor clothing, swimwear, a rash guard, secure water shoes or sport sandals, lightweight hiking shoes, a rain jacket, sun protection, a refillable water bottle, a small daypack, personal toiletries, and any required medications. A complete packing list—including activity-specific recommendations—will be sent after registration.
Good to know
Young adults aged 18 to 28 who are eager to learn outdoor skills.
Yes! Register by November 30, 2026 for US$1,699, by December 31, 2026 for US$1,799, or by January 31, 2027 for US$1,899. After that it’s US$1,999.
Yes. Register with a friend and you each take another US$100 off, on top of the early-bird price.
ACA credentials are earned through full participation and successful completion of the applicable course requirements; they are not guaranteed solely by attending.
