Central Mountain High Spanish teacher proposes 2027 Costa Rica cultural trip for students

Jessica Whipple, a Spanish teacher at Central Mountain High School, presented a proposal for a student trip to Costa Rica during the board's Oct. 9 meeting.

Whipple said the trip would be open to students in grades 9 through 11 who are enrolled in Spanish classes; past groups have ranged from about 12 to 20 students. She estimated a total cost of about $3,500 per student, which she said would include airfare, in-country transportation, hotels, many meals, entrance fees and a 24/7 tour guide supplied by the travel company EF Educational Tours.

Whipple outlined activities planned for the nature-oriented itinerary: rainforest tours, boat rides through canals, water activities and service components such as tree planting that previous groups have completed. She said the trip would include one adult chaperone for every six students; for a typical group she expected herself plus two additional adults from the school.

Whipple said fundraising would be used to offset out-of-pocket costs and that EF provides students with personal fundraising pages where donors can contribute to a student's balance. She said some incidental costs would not be covered by the package, including passport fees, checked-bag fees and tips for guides and bus drivers.

Board members who attended the presentation expressed support; one board member said, "I support it a thousand percent." The proposal will move forward for further planning and parent meetings if the administration approves the trip.