Everyone deserves the chance to travel. Yet, all too often, seeing the world is a privilege reserved for the global elite. At Elevate Destinations, we bridge the divide, and our goal is to connect local youths to their own environments as travelers and stewards.
Through our innovative Buy a Trip, Give a Trip model, your trip purchase creates fun new travel opportunities for local kids. For the first time, they experience nearby natural and cultural wonders, see the sites, have fun, and make the kind of travel memories we take for granted. Here’s just one example of Buy a Trip, Give a Trip in action:
The Travelers:
Fifteen students from 5 to 13 years old, two adults, and a naturalist guide set out on an excursion to better understand the art of recycling and animal welfare.
The Details:
On November 5, 2022, the outing began with a boat tour on the Bebedero River, bordering Palo Verde National Park. The students learned about the surrounding ecosystems and the wildlife’s balance, functions, and freedoms. Their naturalist guide, Sergio, gave detailed explanations about Costa Rican flora and fauna.
The group discussed types of foreign influences such as garbage, hunters, and tourists and their impacts on the environment. They saw how trash from streets and different houses might end up in rivers, spoiling natural habitats and becoming a threat to wildlife. Along with learning about the surrounding environment, the students were delighted to see all sorts of animals, such as birds, butterflies, bats, monkeys, and crocodiles.
Next, the students visited Las Pumas Rescue Center, where they played “wildlife bingo” and learned about Costa Rican wildlife during their activities. They also learned about the animals that cannot be reintroduced to their habitat. The contrast between witnessing the wildlife living freely in their natural habitat along the river to seeing how some ended up in the Rescue Center was eye-opening for the students.
The students now better understand how wildlife crossings allow animals to cross human-made barriers safely, such as the “monkey bridges” or the bridge over the Rio Corobici, next to where they enjoyed their last snack.
Partner Organization:
Play Green:
Play Green is an education program that aims to create interactive and imaginative spaces where children can consider why it’s essential to care for the environment. Play Green is a result of the partnership between Pro-Environment Playas del Coco and SalveMonos, developed with Eco-Coco and Adicoco. This environmental program is constantly evolving to meet the needs of our changing world.
Read about other Buy A Trip, Give A Trip experiences.
