02/10/2025
Imagine being a 12-year-old in rural Costa Rica, learning about wildlife from textbooks and dreaming of the day you would see a crocodile up close. Fast forward to 2025: you’re now 22, scrolling through social media when a photo pops up. It’s you, wide-eyed on a boat, brimming with excitement after seeing that crocodile you once only knew from pictures.
This isn’t just a story; it’s a real journey that began on Earth Day 2015, during our very first Buy a Trip, Give a Trip excursion. While many were planting trees, 16 young adventurers from Playa Panama took a life-changing trip along the Palo Verde River. Their classroom came alive as iguanas sunbathed on branches, white-faced monkeys swung overhead, and crocodiles lurked in the waters below.
This year, as we celebrate two decades of transformative experiences, we’re reflecting on the lasting impact of these adventures. Those students, now young adults, carry with them not only the memories of this day but also a deeper connection to their environment. They are now the storytellers, the conservationists, and the guides who are inspiring the next generation.
This is the power of transformative travel: turning the pages of workbooks into real-life adventures and encouraging curious kids to become passionate stewards of the earth.
