Don't miss this opportunity to travel and learn about the hispanic culture
and agriculture industry.
This summer's staff development includes a workshop entitled "Connecting
Cultures" for 6 plu

Location: University of Georgia Ecolodge San Luis & Research Station, Costa
Rica
Description: Connecting Cultures: Perspectives of Agriculture & Culture of
others will enable the participants to explore in depth the agriculture
products and practices of another country while being introduced to their
components of culture, life style, and language. Lecture, hands-on field
work, group and independent research projects, discussion, seminars,
research reports, journal writing, visits to museums, research institutes,
farms, fishing cooperatives and national parks along with Spanish cultural
workshops will be included in this workshop.

The staff development will be from June 27th - July 5th
Below is a schedule of the planned activities.
Cost will be $1600.00 a package price that includes flight, meals and
lodging.
Several schools systems have agreed to pay the total price for the teacher.
Check with your schools to see what they will reimburse you for:  if they
approve you the daily room and food allowance that would cover $780.00 of
this, plus most schools will give you a travel allotment.  Remember the
other $ you pay can be used on your taxes since this is work.  The days of
this trip will count on your extended year contract.

If you plan to go, we need a deposit of $800.00 by Feburary 27th.

Everyone needs a passport, if you don't have one you should go get it soon,
they can take up to 3 months to obtain.

>  Costa Rica Tailor Made Tour for Ga. Agriculture Teachers
>  8 days in July 2005
>  Focus: Hispanic / Indigenous cultures and neotropical agriculture.
>  *We will also be visiting middle and high schools, touring banana and
pineapple plantations along with working with Dr. Sherry Coy with culture
diversity and spanish lessons.









>  Day 1. San Jose
>  Atlanta departure, arrival in San Jose, transfer and overnight in a
>  comfortable and charming hotel of San Jose.
>
>  Day 2. Poas National Park - Monteverde
>  Exploration of Poas National Park; encounter with an active volcano
which
>  has the world's second largest crater surrounded by a cloud forest
>  abounding with this life so particular to Costa Rica : hummingbirds,
>  bromides, lichens, butterflies... Lunch on the Volcano slopes on our way
>  back and guided visit of a coffee plantation. Explanation of the coffee
>  growing process and its social and political context in Costa Rica.
Drive
>  towards Monteverde in the afternoon (4hrs drive). Tonight we will be
>  staying in a friendly family run inn in Santa Elena, Monteverde (great
>  cook and warm family atmosphere!).
>
>
>
>
>
>  Day 3. Monteverde Cloud Forest
>  Exploration of Santa Elena's Biological Reserve in the Monteverde Cloud
>  Forest. Guided hike on the trails accompanied by a naturalist (tropical
>  biologist). Contoured by the Tilaran mountains this reserve is spread on
>  eight ecological zones, it shelters over 100 mammal, 400 bird and 1500
>  plant species. Visit to a local dairy farm and the local cheese factory,
>  visit the installations and witness the local process from the cow in
the
>  field to the cheese in the small local shop. In the afternoon, we will
>  also experience the famous Sky Trek, a network of understory trails and
>  platforms reaching high above the ground. Zip lines of steel cables
>  attached from one platform to another allow you to slide through the
>  forest canopy - it's fun and unforgettable! Night in Santa Elena.
>
>
>
>
>
>  Day 4. Arenal Volcano
>  Horseback expedition leaving the Monteverde area heading for the Arenal
>  Volcano (4hrs horseback riding). This very unique experience takes us
>  through the natural splendours of the Arenal-Monteverde zone and ends at
>  the south shore of Lake Arenal which we will cross by boat towards the
>  volcano (this unforgettable adventure is optional and costs 50us$ /
>pers).
>  It's also possible to travel on board the vehicle through magnificent
>  landscapes around the lake. Today, along the way horseback riding (easy
>  and safe ride at a slow pace), you will see a few farms and ranches
where
>  your guide can stop on demand and improvise a visit, the locals are very
>  friendly and welcoming. Night in a comfortable Inn at the feet of the
>  Arenal Volcano.
>
>
>
>
>
>  Day 5. Selva Verde
>  Early birding and wildlife watching tour on the volcano slopes.
Breakfast
>  at the hotel and heading for the private reserve of Selva Verde. Lunch
at
>  the restaurant of the Selva Verde Lodge and introduction to the private
>  reserve protecting 180 hectares of primary forest and 300 hectares of
>  secondary tropical rainforest. Guided exploration on the forest trails.
>  Selva Verde is a rainforest eco-lodge dedicated to educating its guests
>on
>  the wonders and natural beauty of Costa Rica's unique and fragile
>tropical
>  rainforest. Beyond its roughly 500 acres of preserved rainforest, the
>  lodge offers the services of resident naturalist guides and an
>  ever-expanding reference library. It provides ample accommodations
>  equipped with private baths and showers.
>
>
>
>
>
>  Days 6 & 7. Selva Verde
>  Various options are proposed during these two days. The first day, we
>will
>  go on a cruise on the Sarapiqui River in the morning and return to the
>  lodge for lunch. Guided eco-exploration of the surroundings of the lodge
>  and visits to the butterfly farm is scheduled in the afternoon. A number
>  of options are offered on the second day, among which rafting, kayaking,
>  hiking and horseback riding. Some activities may imply additional costs.
>
>
>
>
>
>  Day 8. Transfer to international airport in San Jose
>  Back to the capital; transfer to the airport, fly back to Atlanta.
>
>  Inclusions:
>        International direct flights from Atlanta
>        All the transports in a private mini-bus with private driver;
>        Lodgings in hotels, cabins and Inns;
>        Activities included in the description of the tour;
>        All the meals served in the inns and restaurants;
>        A trilingual naturalist tour guide with you from the beginning to
>        the end and specialized local guides in some sites.
>
>
>  Exclusions:
>        Personal travel insurance
>        Tips, drinks and personal expenses.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>Dr. Teri Hamlin
>North Region Agriculture Education
>Georgia Department of Education
>Four Towers, University of Georgia
>Athens, Georgia  30602
>706-542-3679
>
>