Basking Ridge Girl Scout Returns From Costa
Rica
BERNARDS TWP. - Valerie Snow, a 17-year-old
Girl Scout from Basking Ridge, pushed
herself to new heights to experience
firsthand the culture of Costa Rica this
summer through an Outward Bound program.
Snow attended a 15-day Girl Scout trip
trekking through cloud and rainforests, tree
climbing, waterfall rappelling, rafting down
class III rapids and surfing warm water
breaks in Costa Rica, which was named the
“happiest” place in the world by the New
Economics Foundation’s “Happy Planet Index.”
The Happy Planet Index ranks nations based
on human well being and ecological
efficiency. This setting provides an
excellent environment for the back-to-nature
focus of the Service Challenge course
offered by the Costa Rica Rainforest Outward
Bound School (CRROBS).
One component of Snow’s course involved
hiking into a remote Mestizo village to
learn about simple living.
“Going into this, I was skeptical that it
would really be a challenging and growing
experience,’’ Snow said. “But the course has
improved my body, mind and soul and made me
more confident for the future. I can do
anything now that I have completed this
course.”
Founded in 1997 by Executive Director Dr.
James Rowe, CRROBS combines activities
including hiking, rafting, kayaking,
surfing, rappelling and scuba diving with
hands-on cultural experiences such as
home-stays with local families and complete
immersion in wilderness settings.
All CRROBS courses are designed to promote
personal development, leadership skills and
cultural immersion.
The Service Challenge course is offered by
CRROBS, one of the many international
organizations that offer programs designed
specifically for Girl Scouts. All CRROBS
courses are based on experiential education
for which Outward Bound International is
known worldwide |
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