The Costa Rica contingent worked on an organic farm in the town of Finca La Flor, and the Senegal group taught Senegalese children math and French and helped build bedrooms for the children.

To read more about both trips and to view photos visit the posts on the BCDS mashUp.

Update From Costa Rica

Over 20 Beaver students are spending their first weeks of summer vacation in Costa Rica living and working on an organic farm. In addition to working, students use this experience as an opportunity to immerse themselves in the Spanish language. Teachers Tiffany Marsh, John Schatz, and Elisha Cho are accompanying the group on this annual service trip.

Ms. Marsh sends this update from Finca la Flor, Costa Rica:

Greetings from Finca la Flor!
Everyone continues to work hard and enjoy themselves. The students are encouraged to use their Spanish throughout the time they are working on the farm. Most of the guides we are working with only speak Spanish, thus the students have to find ways to communicate other than using English. The students are on a rotating schedule with regards to the jobs they have everyday. The jobs include working with the animals, helping plant a new botanical garden, preparing the meals, planting plants and crops, creating signage for the farm area and many other things. In the afternoon and evenings the students have been playing soccer against local teams and other group bonding games. Tonight we are taking Merengue lessons! We assure you that everyone is well and happy!

Another Update From Costa Rica

The group of students and three teachers who have spent the last ten days on an organic farm in Costa Rica are heading home. Here is the final update from the group:

We left the farm this morning and are staying at a hotel not far from the airport. We spent the weekend checking out a basilica, 2 national parks, and a botanical garden. We also explored several small towns and watched a movie (Home) that provided material for a discussion about our work on the farm and what lessons students can take back to Boston with them. We spent the last two days back at work on the farm, and students reluctantly said their goodbyes to the wonderful staff at the farm this morning.