Rainforest & Tropical Science Course ENV0003:
COURSE DETAILS
This elective course combines online delivery with eight days of practical learning in Costa Rica. There will be two scheduled meetings prior to departure for Costa Rica (dates T.B.A.). These meetings will review the online portions of the course as well as prepare students for international travel. Upon our return from Costa Rica, students will have one month to formulate a presentation on a chosen topic.
Rainforest & Tropical Science is an applied general education course that introduces students to ecotourism and ecology principles using the rainforest of Costa Rica as the classroom. The course starts in January 2012 with a trip to Costa Rica running from February 16th to February 23rd, 2012. The scope of this course is to introduce students to the origins of ecotourism, its current state, and where its future lies.
Examples of topics covered in the classroom and in Costa Rica include the fundamental principles that make up ecotourism, traveller types, as well as environmental and social impacts, and formal/informal conversations with local tour operators.
ELIGIBILITY ^Top
Prerequisites: Full-time or part-time day students must have successfully completed at least one semester at Algonquin College. All students from Algonquin College are welcome to apply. Students must be in good academic standing and receive approval from their program co-ordinator to participate in the course. SEE THE HOW TO APPLY PAGE.
Medical Required - Because parts of the course will be physically rigorous and adventurous, students must provide proof from a physician that they are in good health and physically fit to participate. In addition, you will be required to sign a release waiver.
ITINERARY ^Top
Upon arrival in San Jose, Costa Rica, students are quick to realize that this is an action packed 8-day itinerary and not a ‘vacation’ to Costa Rica. Aside from the countless activities during the day, students must remember that much of the course lectures will be during the evening once the group is settled into their accommodations. This makes for a very exciting and demanding itinerary.
COSTA RICA TRAVEL COSTS
All costs are covered, including travel to the airport, return flight, all travel in Costa Rica, food, lodging, classroom instruction and activities. Costs not included include the cost of souvenirs, snacks or ‘extras’ that you wish to buy while in Costa Rica. See the travel agent's booking form here for details of cost coverage.
ACCOMMODATIONS ^Top Students will stay in clean, safe facilities located at various field stations. Meals are taken as a group in central dining facilities. Historically, accommodations have varied from hostel type businesses to riverside cabins and tents. While rafting on the Pacuare River accommodations at the Rainforest Lodge will be dorm/hut style buildings nestled along the Pacuare River and surrounding creeks.
SCHEDULE OF PAYMENTS AND DEADLINES
NOVEMBER 30, 2011 - Registration and down payment of $1,000 is due. Payment by credit card or certified cheque. Paid directly to Marlin Travel - see form here. More details at HOW TO APPLY.
January 12, 2012 - Course introduction and orientation.
Balance of $1,500.00 is due. Payment by credit card or certified cheque.
February 13, 2012 - Final pre-trip meeting location to be announced. Tickets and practical training agenda issued.
February 16-23, 2012 - Trip to Costa Rica
STAFF PROFILES
This will be the sixth year that the Rainforest and Tropical Science general elective has run. Chris Melmoth is the Course Leader and is accompanied by a diverse group of Algonquin College instructors who have travelled to numerous areas around the globe as instructors/guides and tourists. Check out the Staff Profiles page here.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs) ^Top
Q-How many supervisors?
A-Generally, there is a ratio of 1 Algonquin College faculty member to 10 students, however there is also a number of Costa Rican guides/chaperones who accompany the group the entire time while in-country and they are members of the Rios Tropicales staff.
Q-How many participants?
A-Due to increasing demand and the need to simulate a more ‘ecotour’ style course, the maximum number of participants for ENV0003 is no more than 50 students.
Q-How long does it take to travel?
A-Shuttle time from Ottawa to Toronto airport is 4.5 hours. Flight time is 6 hours. Travel time in Costa Rica happens on a coach bus and varies from half hour bouts to 3 hour drives in order to reach certain destinations. Highway and road infrastructure is much different in CR than in Canada and a short distance can take a while to complete.
Q-What is the weather like in Costa Rica?
A-For the time of year that this trip departs, the weather can be rather hot and humid. Once a garment is wet, it is unlikely for it dry. Evenings in at the rainforest lodge tend to cool off a little.
Q-What should I wear?
A-See "What to Bring" below.
Q-What is the food like?
A- The food is great. Lots of fresh fruit (pineapple, watermelon and cantaloupe). Main course meals are similar to what we might have, just add-on some rice and beans (gallo pinto) to every meal!
Q-What about travel insurance? ^Top
A-A premium travel insurance package is included with the course cost.
Q-Who do I notify about personal medical issues/allergies, etc…?
A-Chris Melmoth, the course leader for ENV0003 must be notified immediately of all medical issues so that proper measures can be arranged before you leave and while in Costa Rica.
Q-Do I need a passport?
A-Absolutely, no questions asked! It may take several weeks to process so start working on it now! Check out the link to the Passport Canada office.
Q-What sort of I.D. should I bring?
A-As with most international travel, in addition to your Passport, it is a good idea to have some other forms of I.D. on person while travelling such as; a driver’s licence and a student card. Be sure to have high quality, color photocopies of all I.D. with you. Also, leave a photocopy of all your ID with a family member in case you lose yours.
Q-Do I need to speak Spanish?
A-No, English is very prominent in CR however, being able to speak a few of the basics (hello, thank you, nice to meet you and my name is) can be very helpful and respectful.
Q-Is it safe where we will be? ^Top
A-The regions where we will be travelling and places that we stay are historically, low-risk areas, and well-supervised.
Q-Are there any snakes?
A-You bet there are! One of the course's most talked about field trips is the half-day tour at a local serpentarium. There are also lots of interesting birds, insects, animals and amphibians in Costa Rica. Check out the photo gallery link to see what you might run into in the rainforest.
Q-HOW DO I APPLY???
A- EASY . . .go to this page and see which group applies to you.
Follow the few application steps given, then start packing for the experience of a lifetime!
ANY MORE QUESTIONS?? ASK CAMERON...
WHAT TO BRING . . . ^Top
- Notepads and pencils (not pens...they don't work in the rain)
- Cameras and small video equipment
- Bug spray (small plastic bottle of deep woods off with high concentration of deet is recommended; aerosol cans will not be allowed on the airplane)
- Hiking boots (these may get wet and stay wet during most of the trip…so bring a few plastic bags for wrapping them up)
- Teva-type sandals, sneakers or beach shoes for the rafting trip (you can't wear your hiking boots in the raft)
- A pair of sneakers that you intend to keep dry, and will only use for when we are on dry walks or eating out
- A ‘head lamp’ or flashlight
- Quick-dry shorts and t-shirts for rafting (polyester/polypropylene, nylon)
- Hiking pants (shorts are not recommended for hiking as you will not want your skin accessible to some of the plants/animals in the rain forest)
- Casual clothes for when we are in town or out to eat, (please note that we will not have access to a laundry mat)
- Swim wear (conservative style)
- One set of clothes for the flight back that you do not plan on wearing all week (for the comfort of our fellow travelers)
- A rain jacket or nylon shell
- Lots of socks (many pairs are sure to get wet and dirty during our many treks through the rain forest.)
- A smaller backpack (a.k.a. day pack, 30 liters of less) to bring on the rafting trip (a secure place will be provided to leave your other luggage)
- A hat and sun screen
- If you have allergies to bees or ants then bring your Epi-pens or whatever you tend to use
- Aspirin or other medicines that you might want must be in their original packaging to get through Customs
WONDERING ABOUT WHAT ELSE TO BRING?? ASK CAM...
Find out More about Costa Rica with these links: ^Top
Map of Costa Rica:
Travelling in Costa Rica:
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/maps/central-america/costa-rica/
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/worldguide/costa-rica/
http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/places/countries/country_costarica.html
http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/player/places/regions-places/central-america/costarica_costaricacanopytours.html
http://www.geographia.com/costa-rica/history.htm
http://www.bbc.co.uk/languages/spanish/
Travel tips in Costa Rica: ^Top
http://www.paradisetours.com/tips_on_traveling_to_costa_rica.htm
http://costaricabureau.com/tips.htm
Passport Canada
http://www.ppt.gc.ca/service/index.aspx
Our two Costa Rican partners are:
Rios Tropicales: http://www.riostropicales.com/
Earth University: http://www.earth-usa.org/
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