(SAN JOSE, Costa Rica – July 14, 2016): Zane Hodgkins, a 13-year-old teen from Annapolis, Maryland, recently completed a Summer Expedition to Panama with Outward Bound Costa Rica. On the 14-day course, he scuba dived coral reefs and aided in conservation efforts to protect endangered sea turtles.
“My Outward Bound experience was a life changing expedition where I’ve tested my limits, learned scuba and got to make an impact on the world,” Zane said.
Zane traveled to the remote island of Solarte, in the Bocas del Toro Archipelago in Panama. The students completed and passed their NAUI Open Water Certification training and are now scuba certified. Zane and his group also participated in a once in a lifetime night dive through the bioluminescent waters surrounding the mangrove islands.
From Solarte, Zane and his course mates sea kayaked to a small indigenous island to learn about medicinal plants from local women. This four-day expedition bonded Zane closer with his course mates as they maneuvered their way through the island’s waterways.
Zane’s course also included a multi-day service project at San San Pond Sak, wetlands located on the Caribbean coast of Panama. There they spent time protecting the endangered sea turtle population by building habitats, cataloging nests and performing night patrols.
Zane’s Outward Bound Costa Rica experience in Panama concluded with a day of snorkeling through mangroves, a catamaran ride to see a local wildlife close-up, and a visit to the famed Red Frog beach.
“Outward Bound Costa Rica’s programs, like the one Zane participated in, create environments that allow for personal and leadership development through challenges, group effort and cross-cultural understanding,” said Jim Rowe, Executive Director of Outward Bound Costa Rica.
About Outward Bound Costa Rica
Founded in 1991, Outward Bound Costa Rica inspires leadership, compassion, and responsibility through adventure-based wilderness experiences. Activities include backpacking, rafting, kayaking, surfing, rappelling, and scuba diving as well as cultural experiences such as homestays with local families. For more information, visit www.outwardboundcostarica.org.