Visiting Groups

Groups of all ages are invited to participate in our Group Program.  In our exciting one-week program your group will experience a new culture, learn about cloud forest ecology and preservation, and be part of a creative and innovative school.
To see the Group Fees for the 2010-11 school year, click here.
To download a group application, click here.

The Group Program includes:

• Environmental education activities including hikes through our forest, talks given by local biologists, and classes on cloud forest species both at school and during other Monteverde activities.
• Service projects on our campus such as reforestation, organic gardening, and trail maintenance.
• Community service projects at a local coffee cooperative.
• Homestay arrangement with a local, CEC family to practice Spanish and learn about the culture of Costa Rica. Includes three meals per day, private room and laundry.
• Support and assistance in reservations for local tours and activities, airport navigation, hotels and transportation.
• Activites and a farewell celebration with a CFS partner class.
  
  Sample Week:
  Projects can vary depending on the season. You can customize your week to meet your group’s specific needs.

  Saturday: Group arrives in San Jose, Costa Rica.
  Sunday: Travel to Monteverde. Meet and greet by a Cloud Forest School representative who will distribute information packets, discuss homestays and answer any questions. Group will be split up into smaller groups and taken to their homestay families.
  Monday: Morning: Arrive at the school. Tour of our beautifully forested campus and question/answer session.  Afternoon: Begin work with our land manager in repairing trails in the protected cloud forest.
  Tuesday: Morning: Tour the Orchid Garden and learn about different orchid species here.  Discussion at school about the cloud forest by our Environmental Education Coordinator.  Afternoon: Work on our Native Plant Project with our Land Manager.  Evening: Night Hike.  Enjoy a guided hike at night, and experience the nocturnal forest!
  Wednesday: Morning: Visit the stunning  San Luis waterfall.  Learn about the Cloud Forest ecosystem with our EE Coordinator.  Afternoon: Learn about the importance of frogs, bellbirds, or bats in the cloud forest through a talk and slide show given by a local biologist.
  Thursday: Morning: Zip through the trees on a canopy tour.  Back at school, continue the Native Plant Project.  Afternoon: Trip to Bajo del Tigre reserve with our EE Coordinator to learn about conservation.
  Friday: Trip to a local coffee cooperative accompanied by the school’s land manager. Work on an organic farm in the beautiful San Luis Valley.  
  Saturday: Spend the day with your homestay family.
  Sunday: Travel back to San Jose.

  From the Students…

  “The work was hard, but it was a lot of fun.  I think we made a huge difference.”
              Middle school student

  “I really enjoyed working on the school projects.  It was incredible to work in nature, see beautiful sites, and learn more about the culture.”
                  University student

  “The students did a Presentation of Learning to the community about their experience.  The impact that this trip had on them was evident.  They won an award for the best demonstration of learning, which is a big deal for our school.”
                       Teacher Leader

  If your group is interested in more information about the Cloud Forest School and our Group Program, please email us at
  opportunities@cloudforestschool.org