Expedition Overview
Picturesque Pacific Beaches, dense inland rainforests, , unforgettable hikes, mountaintop overnights, snorkeling, swimming with dolphins…and of course…warm water breaks at Baru, a surfing mecca! Forever surrounded some of the most ecologically diverse flora and fauna on the planet, a charming Afro-Caribbean culture, and a group of adventurous diabetic internationals working as a team to set new standards of healthy living on this inaugaraul Insulindependence A1sea event.
This trip truly has it all.
Twelve Insulindependence Team Members will come from around the globe to meet at the San Jose International Airport (SJO), in Costa Rica. In just ten days, each will experience more than one would hope to during his or her entire lifetime. A custom-designed Insulindependence curriculum will transform each adventure into purposeful peer-directed health education.
FAQ
Who can come on this trip?
Anyone over the age of 18 with type-1 diabetes may apply. We welcome individuals from all corners of the globe and walks of life. Don’t be shy!
What are the dates of the expedition?
The expedition will officially begin at the San Jose International Airport on Valentine’s Day (February 14) at 4:00 p.m. The trip ends at the same airport 10 days later, on February 23 at 2:00 p.m.
Do I have to be fit or technically skilled? Do I need to know how to surf?
No, just ready and willing to challenge yourself. There will be some moderate hiking and various water activities, but nothing that would prevent you from participating. Our team will be selected so that all ability levels are represented.
What does it cost if I’m selected?
The 2008 Costa Rica Surf and Explore Expedition will be free for all selected Insulindependence team members who are willing to do their own fundraising. Once your application has been approved, you’ll get your own “Sponsor an Adventurer” page at www.insulindependence.org. It will be up to you to generate $3,300 of support through your personal page, where sponsors can contribute directly by credit card. Insulindependence will work hard to ensure that your goals are met without trouble.
Because people will be travelling from different parts of the world, air travel costs are not included in the figure noted above. However, individual flights will be refunded for team members who raise more than $3,500, up to the full cost of the ticket.
Team members on past expeditions who started early with their fundraising have had little trouble reaching their goals.
When do we find out if we’re on the Team?
Team members will be selected on a rolling basis from August 1, 2008 to September 30, 2008. Insulindependence will contact you immediately after we have received your application to offer a more personalized timeline.
Who is Wilderness Inquiry?
Wilderness Inquiry is an award-winning Minnesota 501(c)3 non-profit organization, which specializes in offering outdoor adventures to people with disabilities. In 2006, Insulindependence President Peter Nerothin was hired onto their staff as a guide. Peter was so impressed by WI’s work that he began contracting Insulindependence trips through them the following year.
To find out more about Wilderness Inquiry and their typical trip to Costa Rica, visit their site here.
Will there be medical staff along with the guides?
Wilderness Inquiry will provide a professional trail guide, who is certified in Wilderness First Aid and specially trained to work with various disabilities, including diabetes. At least one Insulindependence staff member will be certified as well.
How do I apply?
Click here to begin your application.
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Sample Itinerary (Subject to Change)
DAY 1: Arrive in San Jose (SJO). Enjoy dinner with the group at a hotel and end the evening with a program orientation by the pool.
 DAY 2: Leave San Jose early in the morning, traveling by van to Domical on the Pacific Coast. Stay on a pristine private preserve a mile out of town. There are no developments on these undeveloped beaches where endangered turtles lay their eggs. Take an introductory hike along the beach and mangroves. Keep eyes peeled for monkeys, iguanas, and lots of birds! End your day visiting the butterfly enclosure, or relaxing in a hammock under the trees.
SURF DAY!
 DAY 3: Enjoy the morning bird watching and meet a boisterous troupe of Capuchin Monkeys, who are surprisingly small for the amount of noise and ruckus they make as they show off their might. There are several options on this day, including an upland jungle hike, a mangrove hike near the beach, or a forest canopy tour in the tree tops. There is also a canopy platform for those less comfortable with heights. Spend time in the air and get eye to eye with a variety of monkeys, iguanas, and maybe a sloth! Take an optional night hike in the jungle to see the nocturnal animals at the peak of their activity, including Pacas, Agoutis, and the beautiful but tiny Granulated Poison Dart Frog.
SURF DAY!
 DAY 4: Get up from your cozy little Cabana for a leisurely breakfast and an early morning hike in the mountains. Depart Baru today for the Osa Peninsula, our home for the next several days. Travel by boat through a mangrove estuary, inhabited by numerous species of birds and an occasional crocodile (don't worry, you are perfectly safe!). Continue out onto the Pacific Ocean for an incredibly scenic ride along palm-lined beaches that go for miles. Relax on a beautiful beach adjacent to Corcavado National Park - one of the truly wild places left on earth. Out here you will enjoy frequent sightings of dolphins and humpback whales.
 DAY 5: Hike through Corcovado National Park. Trek the Catarata Trail, a dense rain forest, to a spectacular waterfall. Monkeys, Crested Guams, and other creatures live here in abundance. There are even jaguars, though they are very secretive. Cool off in a pool of crystal clear water that looks like it's right out of paradise. Explore the wildlife in one of the earth's remaining rare wild places.
 DAY 6: Spend the day swimming with the dolphins or snorkeling in the coral off a sandy beach in warm waters. This area is one of the very best places to snorkel in clear water among abundant sea life. End your day lounging in a hammock, letting the wildlife come to you (an anteater crawled out on a limb to greet us on our first visit there).
 DAY 7: Start the day with an early morning boat ride, then travel by van to San Isidro, a typical Costa Rican town nestled in a mountain valley. Travel on to San Gerardo, a small town on the flanks of Mt. Chirripo. Choose shorter trip options for the remainder of this day, including bird watching, waterfall hikes, or tree planting at a reforestation project.
 DAY 8: Trek up into the cloud forest on Mount Chirripo in Cloudbridge Preserve. Hike up to the Continental Divide through a fantasy world of hanging moss, huge old growth forest, and amazing vistas. It's a strange and wonderful feeling to be looking down at the clouds! Climb Chirripo and spend the night while enjoying a breathtaking sunset and sunrise.
DAY 9: Return to San Gerardo for a leisurely day. Enjoy time in the natural hot springs and stay in a beautiful lodge. Reminisce with your new friends over a celebratory evening meal.
DAY 10: Rise early, have breakfast and travel by van over the mountains back to San Jose International Airport (SJO) to fly back home. Flights should depart after noon.
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July 24, 2008
Application Period Opens
August 1, 2008
Team Members Selected on Rolling Basis
($500 refundable deposit due 2 weeks following selection)
Fundraising Period Begins
Online Peer Mentoring/Team Building Begins
September 30, 2008
Application Period Ends
October 1, 2008
Complete Team Roster Announced Online
January 15, 2009
Fundraising Period Ends
February 14, 2009
Team Insulindependence Meets in San Jose, Costa Rica
Surf & Explore Expedition Begins
February 23, 2009
Expedition ends at San Jose International Airport (SJO)
Application
Download the pdf application, print it, complete the form, and mail it back to us. We must recieve the application no later than September 30, 2008. Thank you.
If you have any questions feel free to send us an email.
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