Ziplining, visiting a volcano park, horseback riding, touring a butterfly garden and taking part in a cooking class were just some of the activities that local students enjoyed during a nine-day excursion to Costa Rica.

Participants in the trip were students from Cocalico, Pequea Valley (PV), Ephrata and Twin Valley high schools. The students were accompanied by teacher chaperones Lori Warfel from Ephrata, Kate Gomez and Corry Bilby from Cocalico, Betsy Techman and Ruth Hernandez from Twin Valley and Jennifer Bilby from Pequea Valley.

"It's great because it's so hands-on. There is so much to see and do," said Jennifer. "While I love museums, this is so much more interesting and active. (The students and chaperones) were so happy they went."

Every other year, local students have the opportunity to travel to Costa Rica in a travel cohort made up of local school students. The trip is presented by WorldStrides, a student travel company.

Students at various schools are invited to participate. "We put up signs and, in our case, told (the students) about (the trip) in our classes and we had an initial meeting for those who (were) interested," said Jennifer, who teaches Spanish at PV High School. "At first we advertise to students in Spanish classes. Then it goes to whoever is interested."

The cohort has traveled to Costa Rica every other year since 2012, missing only 2020 due to the pandemic. The students fundraise together, have group meetings to prepare and collect school supplies ahead of time to take to the children in Costa Rica.

Jennifer said one of the goals of the trip is for students to enhance their Spanish-speaking skills, giving them an opportunity to use the language with native speakers. "No one is required to speak Spanish, but some jump at the opportunity," she noted. "Our guide that we had is really great with the students, so students can practice with him if they want to before they interact with everybody else."

As part of the trip, students and their teachers visited Arenal Volcano National Park and the hot springs there, the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve and Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve. They also went horseback riding, went ziplining at Arenal Mundo Aventura, visited a butterfly conservatory and ecological farm and took part in a cooking class at Playa Rayada, where they made salad, homemade corn tortillas and arroz con pollo (rice with chicken).

Other activities included participating in a boat tour of Palo Verde National Park, visiting with students at a technical school, visiting the Britt Coffee plantation and taking part in a guided sightseeing tour of San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica.

Jennifer said the students really enjoyed the trip because they were able to participate in community activities and see local traditions firsthand. "I think the cooking lessons and the ziplining were really a top hit with them," she said. "The cooking was so interactive and fun, plus you get to eat (the) food (you prepare). Hot springs are always popular, too."

When asked what the students' favorite part of the trip was, Jennifer replied, "It's hard to pick one. They seemed to really enjoy all of the trip.

She added that the cohort of traveling teachers will soon be planning for the 2026 trip. "We find out what the travelers like and don't like for the next trip," she said. "We try to make our trip better each year."

The students agreed that the trip is one they will not soon forget. "Traveling together isn't just about the places we go; it's about the experiences we share and the memories we create," said Adelynn Yunginger of Ephrata High School.

"It was truly the best choice I have ever made. Not only did I get to spend time with my friends and make memories that will last a lifetime, but I also got to make new friends that I would've never had the chance to meet if it weren't for this trip," said Abby Tillman of PV. "It was truly life changing to see a whole different world and make so many new fun memories. Having the opportunity to go on this trip is truly a blessing; many people only get to dream of these types of opportunities."

"To travel is a journey of the soul," added Amelia Madrigal of Cocalico.

The teachers also enjoyed the trip. "We watched as students and adults overcame fears and shared new experiences together, and it was beautiful," said Techman.