FAQ

What happens if my child gets injured/sick?

We have a medical professional on site at the level of nurse practitioner or higher for the duration of the program. In addition, there are both private and public clinics with ambulance service about 25 minutes away. In the case of severe injury or sickness, there are medivac services by helicopter and jet to get to the nearest hospital along with EMT assistance.

Are there snakes and scorpions?

Yes. There are very few venomous snakes in the southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula. Most frequently seen are Coral snakes which are non-aggressive and are easy to spot (red, yellow and black). Scorpions are mildly venomous, but not strong enough to be lethal. Their stings feel much like a bee sting and go away in a short time period. By shaking out clothing and shoes before putting them on, you can avoid most scorpion stings.

Who are the directors?

See Camp Staff on our Staff Page.

What if my child has a restrictive diet?

Most diets can be catered to including but not limited to vegetarian, vegan, gluten free, and dairy free. Let us know if your child has any special needs or preferences.

What are the facilities like?

Almost all infrastructure has been restored or built in the last 5 years. All rooms have A/C, private bath, hot water, and porch with chairs and sofas. Common areas, including lounge, infinity pool and yoga deck/dance studio are available for comfort and convenience. Read more about our facilities here.

What type of food do you serve?

Our professional chefs serve an international menu starring chicken, seafood, vegetarian and vegan cuisine. This includes dishes like burritos, mediterranean platter with hummus, falafel and pita, seared tuna, eggplant parm, shrimp scampi over linguini, chicken curry and sushi night! We will always prepare a simple rice and chicken or veggie dish as an alternative in case your child doesn’t want to eat that day’s meal.

Will my child be chaperoned to/from Wild Sun Jungle Resort?

All campers are asked to plan arriving flights to SJO on the Saturday before camp begins so that our staff can meet your child as they exit the airport. If you are uncomfortable with your child traveling alone internationally, we offer several options. One is to connect you to other campers coming from your area so that they can come through the airports together. Another is to have your child meet one of our chaperones at MIA airport to travel together. Details of this exact flight will be given by March 20, 2024. Once in San Jose, all campers will be met by a group of our counselors and shuttled to nearby accommodations for the night. There we will have a group dinner, have some fun ice breakers and get some rest for the 6 hour drive to Cabuya the next morning. We will all arrive in Cabuya together by early afternoon on Sunday to start our camp season.

For the way home on the Saturday summer camp ends, we recommend booking your child a flight from Cobano to SJO at least 2 hours before their international flight. We will chaperone campers to the airport in Cobano. We will escort campers through the check-in process as well as offer an optional chaperoned flight to MIA that day.

Is there Internet?

Yes, we have wifi on site.

How can I communicate with my child during the trip?

You can video chat with your child or we can set up times for you to call our landline according to their schedule. We recommend allowing your child at least 5 days to adjust before making the first call and then speaking with your child around once a week. We also prefer that you limit your calls to rest period (1-2pm CR time) so that there are no distractions during volunteering or scheduled activities.

What is your electronics policy?

Campers are not allowed to use electronics, including cell phones while volunteering or academic track activities. Electronics are permitted the rest of the day.

Where do the other kids come from?

Most of our campers are from around the US with the majority coming from the east coast.

How safe is the location?

We are located in a small town where everyone knows everyone and crime is relatively rare. Anytime we venture into the larger tourist towns of Montezuma and Santa Teresa our campers are in camp shirts, well-supervised and only visit at appropriate hours. With proper supervision and awareness there is little reason for concern. When swimming is required a counselor with life guard certification is always on site.

How can I get more info about the program?

Feel free to email Jeremy, our co-director anytime with questions. He is also available to set up a video chat at your convenience: jeremy@wildsunrescue.org

Have you run these programs before?

Co-Director, Jeremy Levine has 15 years of camp experience including as a counselor and unit leader at Camps Kenwood and Evergreen in New Hampshire. He has also directed La Escuela Del Sol for 13 years and Wild Sun Rescue for 8 more including camp like programs for 18 year old pre-vet students for the past 5 years. Co-director, Marc Levine has 8 years experience with Camps Kenwood and Evergreen, 2 years with American Trails West for teens and a year of Safari Camp, spanning 9 countries in Africa. This is the first year that we are running Camp Wild Sun for 16 year olds but we are well equipped to do so.

What happens if it rains?

Some of our activities are rain friendly and will be shuffled with other activities accordingly to allow for the most adventure experiences possible. We may also hunker down with hot chocolate and a movie when needed.

Aren't July and August considered the rainy season?

Our area of Costa Rica is the semi-dry rainforest and has the best climate in the country. From June-August it is common to receive most of the rain at night or for a hard hour in the early morning or late afternoon. The rest of the day is usually partly cloudy or sunny. This is considered the Green Season as the jungle is at its most lush, waterfalls are raging and animals are out in droves. There is always the chance that a storm will come and rain on us for a few days in a row, but it’s not that common this time of year. The rainy season is generally September and October when it can downpour for days on end.

What if my child wants to leave early?

At Wild Sun we encourage an inclusive and collaborative environment and do our best to check in daily with our campers. Still, being far from home, campers can get homesick or want to come home for other reasons. We will keep you in the loop if there are any issues and we will work through them together on a case by case basis. If your child does end up leaving early, refunds will be considered according to your travel insurance policy with trip interruption and trip cancellation coverage.

Do you provide sunblock and bug spray?

Campers are expected to bring their own sunblock and bug spray. Once you sign up, we send a comprehensive orientation guide which includes a packing list. If something is forgotten, we can take a field trip to the supermarket just down the street.

What is your insurance policy?

We require all campers to arrive with a pre-purchased travel and international health insurance policy. This policy must include health and accident coverage, as well as trip cancellation and trip interruption insurance. Proof of policy will be expected to be delivered at least one week before arrival.

For further information please contact our Head Counselor: raquel@wildsunrescue.org