Today we had breakfast as always, and after that we had the opportunity to listen to the founder of Give and Surf (the non-profit we are workin with) explain his work, motivation, and ideas for the future. His words were very inspiring and encouraged all students to take full advantage of this opportunity. Afterwards we…
Today we woke up bright and early to learn about Mother of Coral that helps rebuild bleached coral. We went down to the sites we learned about lots of corals and how they grow and reproduce. After we got done, snorkeling, and looking at coral we went back to the hotel and spent some time…
We started the day off, strong with some delicious French toast and fruit. We continued onto the boats to a new community in the mangroves of Bastimentos by the name of Bahia Honda. Our assignment was to paint a newly constructed cafeteria. We got to meet the imfamous monkey on the island, Poncho. We painted…
We had our last breakfast and lunch in San Cristobal, then went fishing and swam in the ocean; we caught one fish, while the other half of the group learned about the history of San Cristobal at the Nobe Cacao farm. We came back and the Basti volunteer group saw the kids for the last…
Today, we woke up to an amazing breakfast of pancakes and fruit. After we fueled up, we boated over to the main island in Bocas, Isla Colon. There, we met Emily, the Give and Surf director and she took us over to the Recycling center. Edwardo walked us through the center and taught us all…
After a late night playing cards, we had an early start where our team prepared breakfast for us in the community kitchen! Following breakfast, we hit the road to our friend Fernando’s farm in the mountains. At the farm, we met Fernando’s cousins, the twins, Javier and Jaime, where we went through the process of…
After a day of rest from traveling, we headed to Cestor Beatriz / Caguas, where we met Gaby on his farm. On the farm, we got to work on various projects, including harvesting mesclun, planting tomatoes, and pulling weeds. All while learning about farming on a slope. Furthermore, we practiced our Spanish and learned how…
Once students begin travelling, this is where you will see their travel journal posts.
Once students begin travelling, this is where you will see their travel journal posts.
In the heart of Summit County, local realtor Leah Canfield has crafted a business model that beautifully marries profit with purpose. Renowned for her stellar sales record and impressive portfolio of luxury properties, Leah stands out not only for her professional achievements but also for her profound connection to the community and unwavering commitment to…
Our Story and Our Mission In the face of the pressing problems that exist in the world, we created Shoulder-to-Shoulder in 2007 to give students an avenue to explore real-world answers to a pressing question: “What can we do?” What began as a program with one school, 30 students, and three NGO partners has grown…
What is Ethical Leadership and Why It Matters What does it take to inspire a new generation of leaders who make decisions not only for personal gain but also for the greater good? This is the essence of ethical leadership—a style of leadership that prioritizes integrity, responsibility, and a socially conscious purpose. Leadership is simply…
Featured Image: (L-R) Shoulder-to-Shoulder alums Carter Thomas, Mollie White, and Emmanuel Daudu co-host a student session at the Ethical Leadership Forum in Vail, Colorado, 2024. Mollie White and Emmanuel Daudu also serve on the organization’s Board of Directors. Defining the Shoulder-to-Shoulder Alumni Network: Building Ethical Leadership After the Initial Field Study For Shoulder-to-Shoulder alumni, the…
In our modern society, two things are true: Businesses can have a profoundly positive effect on society. Young people respond to moral examples. Shoulder-to-Shoulder is weaving these truths together. Our partnership with the socially conscious Pinnacle Mountain Homes, based in Frisco, Colorado, perfectly illustrates this concept. Pinnacle Mountain Homes is far from your average construction…
Culture of Safety: How Students Shoulder-to-Shoulder Keeps Teens Safe on International Service Learning Trips International travel can be a life-changing experience for students, opening their eyes to different cultures, lifestyles, and social challenges. However, safety should always remain a top priority when young people engage in field studies studies abroad. At Students Shoulder-to-Shoulder, a safety…
The Top Ten Reasons Teens Choose Students Shoulder-to-Shoulder As travel programs become more available for teens worldwide, Students Shoulder-to-Shoulder has stood out as a preferred choice for those seeking meaningful service with unique global experiences. The organization attracts hundreds of student applicants yearly, with over 1,200 enrolled in the past decade, thanks to its blend…
Leadership skills are a crucial piece of the college application puzzle. While high school classes prepare you academically, leadership programs equip you with the real-world tools to succeed outside the classroom. Field Studies that foster ethical leadership skills require opportunities for students to experience, process, and reflect on how leaders address the problems of tomorrow….
Today is our last full day at our home stays. We began by touring the coffee farm behind our houses where we saw animals like pigs and sloths. On the farm we also tried different items like star fruit and mint leaves. We then visited the local elementary school. They performed a few different dances…
Today was our first full day in La Fortuna! Yesterday was mainly a travel day, but we did get to have a cooking class for dinner! We also all got to meet our host families yesterday, and all of them are super friendly and welcoming. The houses are all very close together, and are connected by…
Today was our last day in San Miguel with Turtle Trax. Throughout our time here, we have met and learned from many ethical leaders. One of the leaders who has made the biggest impact on us is Juan, who has been with us for every activity this week and also played a lot of soccer…
This morning we went over to the station and picked up trash on the beach. We learned from Juan that beaches in Costa Rica are full of trash from all over the world because their labels are in several different languages. After retrieving the trash we sorted it into reusable bottle caps, bottles, cans and everything…
This morning we went to Jungle Mike’s. He’s an entomologist from the US who moved to Costa Rica over 20 years ago. He showed us around his open-air butterfly farm, and taught us a lot about different bugs in the area. Many of us caught butterflies, and tried eating some termites. He told us that…
The sixth day of our journey started later than the others, with our breakfast being pushed back until 8:00. With this the group was rejuvenated and ready to get after a very fun day. We drove to Playa Coyote where we would finally be able to swim in the ocean. After an hour of driving…
Today we celebrated the anniversary of the annexation of Guanacaste from Nicaragua at the local school. The celebration consisted of listening to traditional Costa Rican music, watching the students perform traditional dances, and learning how to make corn tortillas. We then went on to play a soccer match with the students from the school. The…
At the beginning of this trip i set out the goal to develop the following: gratitude for the experience, humility, and understanding of Bocas del Torro and the people that live here. Gratitude has come to me the most naturally. I am grateful for this experience, for being able to see such a beautiful part…
Our day started with another early morning, our good friend the howler monkey decided it was in our best interest to wake up bright and early at 4:30 this morning. Our cries for help went unanswered and the monkey continued to howl as we gradually arose to come to breakfast. As soon as everyone was…
As I write in this hammock, I am internally happy. The stringed lights shine down yellow streams of bliss and reflect upon the white ceilings and pillars. I feel peace at this very moment, knowing that today exhibited success in learning about the beautiful people of Bastimentos and in befriending the children playing in the…
After two long days of travel and getting settled into our home for the next week, we had our first real day of sea turtle work in Costa Rica today. We started off the morning early with breakfast at the hotel where we discussed the day’s agenda. Shortly after, we left to meet Edgar, the…
Our course instructors have informed us that the group has arrived at the project site. Tomorrow, they will begin working and learning alongside our partner, Turtle Trax. We will share updates from the field as they come in.
The Costa Rica Turtles crew has arrived in Costa Rica and is on their way to the hotel. They will spend the night in San Jose before leaving tomorrow to drive to Turtle Trax in San Francisco de Coyote.