Time is flying by but what fun our family is having each moment!

Airport day went smoothly and we enjoyed an amazing dinner together as we got to know each other. Everyone was adventurous and tried the local Costa Rican dish Arroz con Pollo! It was delicious! We had an early night as all were excited to wake up for our rafting voyage the next day.

Rafting was an incredible adventure! India and Jared were both excited to try it for the first time and were total pros by the end of the day.  We had a great lunch halfway down the river and got to see the beautiful Costa Rican scenery. Matt played the role of rafting photographer and caught a ton of cool pictures of the group.  After a full day on the water, we headed back to the hotel to learn about our community service project with the Costa Rican Humanitarian Foundation.

Yesterday was our first day of community service and we accomplished so many things. During the morning alone we painted four houses! Annie, Emilie and Alexandra jumped right in and painted the biggest house of the four in record time.  After painting, we went to play with local children where Matt and Ali K. impressed everyone with their Spanish skills.  After lunch we organized all the donations the group brought and set up stations to work with the kids at school.  Coltrane made two new friends amongst the children and they tossed around a football, while Lauren, India and Jenna all enjoyed being in the nursery with the babies.

After relaxing a bit by the pool, we were excited for our Latin dance lessons last night and will let you know who has the most rhythm in our next update!

 The Westcoast Blogger

The post Our Adventure Begins! – Costa Rica Community Service appeared first on Westcoast.

…in 2011 Tyler Cohen had an experience at an orphanage in Costa Rica while on his 360° Student Travel program. This experience had a profound effect on Tyler and the direction of his life from that moment forward.

While playing with his new 5-year old buddy, Fernando, during an arts & crafts project, the boy snatched the baseball cap off of Tyler’s head and ran at full speed out to the playground. Tyler’s first instinct was to run after him and get it back, “STOP, THIEF!” He started for the door but never made it outside. Tyler watched from the doorway as Fernando, filled with pride, showed off his ‘new’ baseball cap to the other children.

This experience has made Tyler more introspective about his own life and about how we, in North America, sometimes forget how well-off we are. It made him want to do something to show that he cares.

Our own Lindsay Ebert joined Tyler and his family at a local Modell’s Sports where he and his brother, Blake, were setting up to do a little awareness raising…and to maybe collect a few more caps for the boys and girls who could really use them.

Lindsay: What is Caps Count?
Tyler: I started Caps Count when I was 16 years old. The idea for this project and its early success comes directly from my personal experiences on two 360 Student Travel Community Service trips and the support and advice from Westcoast  / 360°. Caps Count is a charitable project that collects used and unwanted caps, hats and visors and ships them to children in orphanages all around the globe. We think of caps as headwear, the children who receive these caps think of them as toys and gifts.

L: What inspired you to start Caps Count?
T: While doing community service in an orphanage in Costa Rica, two years ago, I was buddies with a 5-year-old named Fernando. Fernando climbed up on my shoulders and snatched the cap from my head. My first reaction was to get it back fast. I watched from the doorway as Fernando, filled with pride, showed off his “new” cap to the other children. I began to think introspectively about how little this cap means to me and how valuable it was to this little boy.

The following year, when I went to an orphanage in Ecuador, I took a small action that made a big impact. I found 22 caps in my house and stuffed them into my suitcase to share with the children in Ecuador. Their giant smiles and genuine gratitude almost seemed out of proportion because what I did was so small.

L: What is your favorite part about giving back?
T: It feels great and uplifting to deliver smiles to children. I like knowing that the actions and efforts that I put in create joy and are appreciated by the children receiving hats. It is a powerful feeling to do something small and have so many people and businesses support my efforts and have so many orphanages and organizations around the world appreciate the boxes that arrive from Caps Count.

L: What is your most memorable 360° Student Travel experience?
T: In the Galapogos, Ecuador we traveled to Santa Fe Island by boat. Countless Galapagos dolphins were jumping and playing in the boat’s wake, it was thrilling to watch. We jumped into the water at Kickers Rock, an 800 foot deep crevice, to snorkel with the marine life. The crevice is massive, beautiful and awe-inspiring.

L: Do you have any Words of Wisdom for future 360° travelers?
T: The trip you are about to take is filled with fun that is hard to describe with words because it is so extreme and unique. Most people will never experience what you are about to experience. Enjoy it, remember it, talk about it, write about and think on it often.

For more information about Caps Count you can check out their Facebook page, be sure to like it! From the biggest gesture to the smallest action, Community Service opportunities are all around us. To learn more about the many ways you can help make the world a better place for one child, one family or one community visit the 360° Student Travel website.

The post Be The Change You Wish to See: The Story of Tyler Cohen and Caps Count appeared first on Westcoast.

As Bilbo Baggins heads out on an adventure through Middle Earth with a small group made up of friends and strangers, I cannot help but find a parallel between his, and our very own, adventures in the land of clouds. We’ve all known that feeling of joining a new group; not entirely certain of who is who or what we all share, but that just set’s us up for that great discovery of learning that we all have had so much in common right from the start.

After setting out from The Shire, Bilbo sees the vast expanse of his homeland for the first time. He takes in the different geography, the new people, and it is the excitement of the unexpected that keeps him going through his journey. This is one of the many gifts of New Zealand. It is the unexpected, the different, the changes that we experience on our journey keep us excited and curious and challenged. One day on our journey we may be kayaking on tranquil rivers, on another, we may be dressed up in the warmest clothes, given the training and the tools that we need, and then led on a wondrous journey of our own across glaciers that have been around for millennia. Ski by day and enjoy a relaxed moment with friends by night.

New Zealand is a picturesque country that will inspire some, challenge many and touch all of us. While we may only be there for a few weeks, the memories of companionship, excitement and adventure can stay with us for many years to come. It would seem that finding out the secrets of this nation; the Maori culture, the adventure sports, the silence of a quiet evening away from cars and the city, is one big adventure that even Bilbo wouldn’t turn down.

 Your Westcoast / 360° Blogger,
Gavin

For those of you wishing to see this great country, I cannot promise you a sighting of a Hobbit, but I can promise you that you will have an experience that will stay with you for a life time on our New Zealand 21-Day or on New Zealand plus Fiji 26-Day Global Adventures.

The post Of Hobbits and Hillsides appeared first on Westcoast.

On December 7, 1941 Japan set out to neutralize the US Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor by means of a surprise air attack.  The attack brought the United States into World War II.

Many of our programs visit Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona memorial.  One Community Service trip reflected on the experiences as extremely touching.  “We even got to interview a Pearl Harbor survivor just as we entered the location. He gave us a detailed description of the day and the emotions that were running through his head as the attack was happening. To hear that the attacks on Pearl Harbor were a turning point in the war from a veteran that lived through it brought all of the history book stories to life.”

Another group describes the visit as a “moving experience for us all.” Two group members, Jason and Taylor, spoke with a veteran that was also visiting the memorial site with his family.  They heard his remarkable story and reflected upon how lucky he was to have been on land on that day, rather than on the USS Arizona. It was remarkable to hear the first-hand story at the place where the tragedy took place.

Upon arriving at the National Historic Site, one is immediately met with the images and stories of that day. Following a brief orientation session the group makes its way to the Exhibit Galleries where we learn in greater detail about the events leading up to the attack and the response. The Pearl Harbor Memorial Theater is where we watch a short video about Pearl Habor in the war years and then as it is today. The superimposed images of the harbor reinforce our understanding of how devastating the attack really was. With all of this in mind we make our way in the shuttle boat to the memorial to the USS Arizona and the men and women who perished there. The memorial spans the sunken hull of the ship and in that somber setting we cross over it and see the actual loss of that day for ourselves. The thing that catches each visitor’s eye is the slow bubbling up of oil from the deck of the sunken ship below. The USS Arizona was fully loaded with barrels of oil and fuel and to this day it is still slowly seeping up to the surface. This simple sight is a stark pathway into history, one that connects us to the survivors and to those who were lost. Sometimes a visit to this site leaves one with more questions than when we started, and the opportunity to speak with survivors is a vitally important link to our not so distant past.

To visit this historic site, check out our Hawaiian Spirit and Australia plus Hawaii Active Teen Tours or our Hawaii Community Service 18 Day or 25 Day programs.

The post Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day appeared first on Westcoast.

Have you ever wondered about the famous faces on the cover of our brochures?  Remember “Surfer Boy?” or “Koala Girl?”

Today we want you to meet Zach; one of the boys in the “high five” shot on the Westcoast Connection Active Teen Tour cover.  We sat down with him for an exclusive interview to learn about this famous photo and his summer experience. Enjoy!

So, is there a story behind the High 5?
We [Jack and I] have a history of high fives while on trips. Back in 8th grade Jack and I went to Washington, DC and thought it’d be a great idea to high five while jumping off the Jefferson Monument, so we were just keeping the tradition.

Honestly, how long did it take to get this shot right?
It took maybe 3 or 4 shots. With his great photographer skills, our Trip Leader Derek was able to get a good picture.

How did you get such incredible air?
Lucky for us the tide was low so we were able to get some awesome air time; we ended up doing all kinds of jumps and flips later that day at Ventura.

If your Trip Director Jesse was going to strike the exact same pose, what advice would you give him?
The only advice I could give would be “jump, reach, and close your eyes. That water is salty.”

Has your life changed as a result of your picture being printed on the cover of millions – ok, ok… thousands of brochures?
My life has taken a drastic change. I have paparazzi all over me 24/7.

How long have you guys been friends? Did you learn something new about each other as a result of travelling together?
Jack and I have been friends since the 7th grade. We’ve spent a lot of time together over the years. Honestly I don’t think I learned anything about Jack that I didn’t already know.

What do you miss most about this past summer?
I really miss hanging out with all my Westcoast friends, we keep in touch, but it’s not the same as seeing everyone’s shiny faces bright every morning.

If you had to choose your favorite campsite meal, what would it be?
My favorite campsite meal was the steak we had at the Pacific Beach campground. Best dinner of the trip!

What was your favorite animal at the San Diego Zoo and why?
My favorite zoo animal was probably the Giraffes. Just cause they’re awesome animals. Being tall and such.

Do you ever wonder who puts together these amazing trips? Who finds the Galapagos snorkeling experience or the rainforest lodge in Australia?  Have you ever thought about how those photos get chosen to be put up on the web or who, in fact, writes this blog? Well, you can stop wondering and take a quick peak at those of us behind the scenes that help create such special experiences  ….To learn more the full-time team, click here.

Talk to you soon,

Shelby & Gavin
The Westcoast / 360˚ Bloggers

P.S. – Enjoy the following outtakes!

The post Summer 2013 is Officially Launched! appeared first on Westcoast.

In Hawaii, groups had the opportunity to work with two Boys & Girls Clubs and organized day camps for underprivileged children in the communities. Whether it was playing sports, leading arts and crafts activities, or reading, the trip members didn’t hesitate to pitch in and help the communities they became a part of. The groups also worked with one of the partners that 360° Student Travel works with worldwide, Habitat for Humanity, to build several homes on the island of Oahu.

In Costa Rica, along with the Costa Rican Humanitarian Foundation, travelers helped to reconstruct a family’s home after a devastating fire, as well run a day camp for the community. From the initial groundbreaking through the laying of foundation, floors, and putting up walls they did it all. An incredible accomplishment! This was also a rare opportunity for the local children to play organized games and participate in activities throughout the day.

Last summer on the Community Service elective on the Pre-College Enrichment program in Barcelona, 20 teenagers worked at the Juvenile Center with children aged 5-9 years old. It was an amazing opportunity for participants to interact with disadvantaged children and bring smiles to their faces while teaching English and practicing their Spanish.

Heading down to South America and the Amazon Jungle on the Peru Community Service program, trip members worked with a local co-op of farmers and community members to help clear land for an endangered turtle protection site. They spent time with the local community playing soccer and practicing each other’s languages, as well as working with a Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, and truly made a lasting impact.

Travelers in Thailand had the unique opportunity to volunteer with an Elephant Research Project where they assisted in behavioral studies on the elephants and helped the mahouts feed and take care of them. The groups were also able to teach English at a number of local schools, running activities and developing a fun curriculum for the students. An experience not soon forgotten by both the Thai students and their travelers!

Our participants certainly made positive change and contributions on 6 continents this summer and we are extremely proud!

The Westcoast / 360° Blogger

The post Our Participants Complete 31,865 Hours (3.6 Years) Of Community Service in Just One Summer appeared first on Westcoast.

In first place … the winner is … Australia plus Hawaii by Lexi F.!

In 2nd place … New Zealand plus Fiji by Zac P., Chad K. & Jake B.

And in 3rd place … American Voyageur by Marielle Erdheim

Izzy, Jake, Alfredo and Abby we have goodies for you guys too, check your e-mail.

Thanks to everyone who voted and congrats to the winners!

The Westcoast / 360° Blogger

The post The Envelope Please … appeared first on Westcoast.

Before we reveal the finalists in the 2012 “Show Us Your Summer” Video Contest, we wanted to congratulate and thank everyone who participated. The videos were absolutely incredible and we have prizes for everyone who entered (check your mailbox)!

Our Directors have chosen the top seven submissions (narrowing it down to 5 was too difficult!) … now it’s up to you to vote for your favorite!

How is the winning video chosen? It’s simple. The video with the most votes, wins. To vote, visit our Facebook fan page at facebook.com/wcc360 and click on the Video Contest tab. You will see the poll at the bottom of the page. You must “like” WCC/360° to vote and only vote is allowed per IP address.

So, tell your family, friends, and fellow trip members to vote! Remember, the grand prize is $500 cash and a $500 voucher good towards a future Westcoast Connection / 360° Student Travel program.

Voting ends on Tuesday, October 30th at midnight. The winner will be announced later in the week.

Good luck!!!

The Westcoast / 360° Blogger

The post Voting Starts Now! appeared first on Westcoast.

Our Directors have chosen the top seven submissions (narrowing it down to 5 was too difficult!) … now it’s up to you to vote for your favorite!

How is the winning video chosen? It’s simple. The video with the most votes, wins. To vote, use the poll at the bottom of this post. Only vote is allowed per IP address.

So, tell your family, friends, and fellow trip members to vote! Remember, the grand prize is $500 cash and a $500 voucher good towards a future Westcoast Connection / 360° Student Travel program.

Voting ends on Tuesday, October 30th at midnight. The winner will be announced later in the week.

The post Let the Voting Begin! appeared first on Westcoast.

These two soon realized an ocean would not keep them apart. Taking a chance, David decided to study law in London to be closer to Katie, he has now finished out his fifth year working at a sports agency. Katie pursued her Masters in broadcast journalism and is currently a TV news producer for Sky News.

Our Westcoast lovebirds plan to wed in August 2013, we wish them all the best and a beautiful future together!

The Westcoast / 360° Blogger

The post A Westcoast Connection Wedding appeared first on Westcoast.