Costa Rica General Info

1 JUST GO!SCORE INTERNATIONAL

GENERAL INFORMATION

Published 6/6/14

2SCORE INTERNATIONAL JUST GO!

Costa Rica

EMERGENCY NUMBERSSCORE Office: 011-506-2219-7038SCORE Villa: 011-506-2225-2125Coronado Complex: 011-506-2294-0077

LOCATIONSCORE headquarters in Costa Rica is in a suburb of the capital city of San Jose, called Sabanilla. Additional housing for SCORE is located about 20 minutes outside of San Jose in Coronado. The San Jose region is basically in the middle of the country. From San Jose, SCORE groups will be in a strategic location to minister in various locations throughout the country.

FAST FACTS ABOUT THE COUNTRYCosta Rica is often called an “oasis of peace” among the neighboring countries of Central America. This coastal country is known more for its natural beauty than its cultural heritage. It is one of the richest and most diverse biological areas in the world with a wide variety of climate zones and extraordinary wildlife. The main exports are bananas, coffee, and textiles. Total population of the country is about 4.7 million people, with over 1.4 million of those in San Jose. There is also a population of around 750,000 refugees from Nicaragua who have settled in Costa Rica. Roman Catholicism is the official religion, and about 85% of the population profess this. Average annual income is $6,500. It is a Spanish speaking country and has a literacy rate of about 96%. Resources for churches and pastors are hard to come by.

TELEPHONE CALLS & INTERNETThere is an internet phone available for use at the Villa and Coronado location for only 35 cents per minute. Everyone is welcome to use the internet phone. Both locations have wireless internet as well, but groups are discouraged from using the internet except for doing trip updates. Callings cards bought in the United States may NOT work. Calls to the numbers below are for emergencies ONLY. There is only one phone line available at each location, so we do ask that trip participants keep calls there to a minimum.

PASSPORT INFOPassports are required to go to Costa Rica! It can take up to 8 weeks to obtain your passport. This means you must apply for your passport very early! You need to apply at your local post office to obtain a passport. The cost is about $120 and it is good for 10 years. Before the trip you will need to make a photocopy of your passport to carry in a separate bag in case you lose your passport. Passports must be valid at least 90 days after the date of travel.

INSURANCESCORE International purchases insurance for all persons going on trips prior to their team leaving the USA. Insurance coverage is provided through Brotherhood Mutual Insurance Company. Each trip participant will be covered by the same policy which provides $25,000 coverage for accidental injury and sickness and $25,000 for accidental death, among other features.

WEBSITE UPDATESGroups are asked to post an update from the field every day. Updates are posted on the SCORE website so that friends and family can keep up with what is happening on the trip. Please refer your friends and family to log on to www.scoreintl.org for trip updates.


LUGGAGE AND PACKINGAirlines are constantly changing and updating their policies concerning luggage. Many now have restrictions on weight and may also impose fees for checked bags. Please check with your airline company for up to date information concerning luggage and fees. SCORE International is not responsible for baggage fees.

Items to pack:1. You may want to bring some power bars, granola bars, or crackers to snack on during the day.2. Bring a beach towel, bathing suit, sunscreen, bug repellent and hand sanitizer.3. Pack a flashlight and alarm clock.4. Put a change of clothes in your carry-on bag in case your luggage is delayed or lost.5. Please get to the airport at least 2 hours in advance.6. Bring earplugs if noise is a problem when sleeping.7. Bring small bills with you. It is hard to break $20 bills.8. Don’t forget to bring any medication that you may need while on the trip.9. We recommend a rain jacket, umbrella due to possible thunderstorms during your trip.10. Small bag to carry a water bottle, jacket and camera.

MEALSThere will be a variety of food served, such as spaghetti, rice and chicken, taco salad, chicken fettuccine, rice and beans, sandwiches, etc. Breakfast will be fruit and cereal. Please bring a box of your favorite cereal for breakfast. SCORE will provide “corn flakes” if you do not bring any cereal. Groups may choose to eat out at a restaurant or fast food if they want to pay themselves. This is up to the group leader to decide.

*IMPORTANT ALLERGY INFORMATION - If there are any food allergies, please inform us before your trip and bring your own specialty food items, your epi pen and any other medication. You cannot get these items on your trip.

Remember to check with your airlines for baggage fees. In most cases, you can pre-pay for your bags.

LAUNDRYThere is one washing machine and dryer on the premises that could be used for emergencies but is not available for general use. Please do not plan on doing laundry.

CURRENCY & MONEYThe currency is the Colon. The group leader will let you know when and where you may exchange money. It is best to exchange small amounts at a time. It is always a good idea to have some small bills with you (1’s and 5’s) as most businesses do accept American money.There are some additional costs that you need to be aware of. It costs $29 per person to exit the country. All free time activities such as whitewater rafting and visiting a volcano have additional costs and are not paid for by SCORE. There will be snacks and drinks available for purchase at the hotel. You will also need money for souvenir shopping and eating in the airports and while traveling.

HOUSINGSCORE has a number of housing options in Costa Rica. In the summer months (June, July, and August) most groups stay at the SCORE Villa which can house up to 50 people. SCORE also owns a complex in Coronado which houses up to 32 people. (Please note that Coronado does not have a pool). If these two facilities are unavailable, groups will likely stay at the Nazarene Seminary or at the CAM House in San Jose. Housing for your specific trip will be determined by the Field Director.


GENERAL INFO AND GUIDELINES

• Be prepared to be very flexible. Plans will change daily!!• Be on time every time. Each night the next day’s schedule will be posted.• Stay together at all times. Never leave the group with out first talking to your group leader.

Stay with groups of at least 4 at all times.• Do not give out money or candy or toys to ANYONE unless specifically told to do so by your SCORE

representative. This can be very dangerous if done in the wrong manner.• Any Spanish that you can practice or learn before you come will be a big bonus.• Be prepared to share your testimony at any time.• Look for God to do something amazing in your life on this trip!!

CLOTHINGWe ask that each person would help us to stay above reproach in this area. What may not be a problem in the USA can be identified as a problem in this culture. What is appropriate in the U.S. may not be appropriate there. Please do not offend or hurt the testimony of your group by wearing inappropriate clothes. The following standards are strictly enforced.

Concerning Ladies: Two-piece suits will not be allowed even with a shirt worn over the suit. No Tankinis please. If one piece is not available, shorts and a dark t-shirt are acceptable. Plan on wearing a dress or skirt and modest top (no tank tops) to church. Pants, capris or shorts (top of the knee) may be worn at times of ministry. Long athletic shorts or bermuda shorts may be worn at the Villa. No short shorts are allowed at any time. No spaghetti strap or tank tops are allowed at any time. Modest, sleeveless shirts are OK. Bare midriffs are not allowed. When traveling on a sports team you will be allowed to wear athletic shorts, except to church on Sunday.

Concerning Men: Pants, collared shirts and shoes are required to attend church. Shorts and t-shirts may be worn for ministry. No shorts or t-shirts allowed when visiting churches. No sandals or t-shirts may be worn for church ministry. No tank tops or sleeveless shirts are to be worn except for athletic events or around the SCORE Villa. At no time are pants, or your bathing suit, to be worn low enough to expose your underwear. Shorts may be worn to do work projects. Guys must wear shirts around the SCORE Complex except around the pool.


Just outside the city of San Jose, SCORE owns a beautiful Villa. The Villa serves as a home to our GAP Year program during the school year, but is open for groups in the summer months. Each room houses about 4 people and has a bathroom. There is a small swimming pool in the back yard. The Villa has a meeting room and a kitchen as well.

Pictured to the right, is the SCORE complex in Coronado. This property is a beautiful setting in the country, about 20 minutes outside of San Jose. It can house up to 32 people. The bedrooms are set up with 4 bunk beds in each room. There is a kitchen and a dining room that doubles as a meeting room.

The Villa

Coronado Complex


Costa Rica Ministry and Leisure Opportunities

Ministry OpportunitiesHere is just a sample listing of ministry

Opportunities available:

Vacation Bible Schools (bring your own supplies)

Puppet Shows

Sports Games and Clinics

Musical Presentations

Skits and Dramas

Mime Presentations

Youth Prisons

Painting Projects (supplies cost extra)

Construction Work (supplies cost extra)

Street Evangelism

Orphanage Work

Evangelistic Campaigns

Medical/Dental Teams

Tract Distribution

Food Distribution ($15 to feed one family)

Back-Yard Bible Clubs

Leisure OpportunitiesPlease coordinate with the person in charge

of your group in Costa Rica in order to specify the price.Prices may vary on group size and weekday vs weekend.

Visit an inactive volcano ($40)This exciting half day adventure is a great way to see some of

the natural beauty of Costa Rica. Take a bus ride up the moun-tain to one of two local volcanoes (Poas or Irazu). After about an hour and a half you will arrive at the top of the mountain to an area much like a national park. There are short trails that

will take you to see the volcano crater and other wildlife areas. Pack a jacket as it gets cool on the mountain!

Zip Lines through the rain forest ($52)Riding Zip Lines through the Rain Forest

You don’t want to miss this one of a kind adventure! The staff of experts will be with you throughout the ride and

will instruct you along the way. You will get to ride about 5 lines through the trees and overtop of valleys. The views are breathtaking and there are a lot of fun adventures mixed in

along the way. After your half day of riding, we will take you for an authentic Costa Rican lunch at Fresa’s restaurant.

White water rafting ($70)This full day adventure is thrilling to say the least! Enjoy the view as you take a two hour bus ride to the rafting location.

Upon arrival you will be greeted with a full Costa Rican break-fast. After a brief training exercise you are ready to hit the

Pacuare or Reventazon River and take on the rapids! After two to three hours on the river you can shower and change at the base camp before enjoying a buffet lunch. The bus will bring

you back to San Jose in the afternoon.

Day and night at a beach resort($450 per 25 or less people, per night)

Travel a couple of hours to the Pacific coast and the small town of Jaco for entire day and night at the beach. Cost covers bus

ride to and from the beach, meals and lodging at the resort. If your group has more than 25 people, the charge is $450 per

bus load—25 people per bus. For extra nights, there is charge of $450 for every extra night.

Argentine Barbeque ($20)This is a special meal provided by our national pastors. Meal

includes steak, pork, chicken, salad, potatoes, dessert and drink. Make reservations for your group. The proceeds support

our national pastors and church planting ministry.


Costa Rica Ministry Tips

OrphanageThere could be between 30 and 100 children be-tween the ages of 2 and 17. The children are not obligated to participate in the program therefore the number of children can vary greatly. We suggest that you use materials that draw the attention of the children (example: balloons, puppets, finger nail polish, face paint, stickers, crafts, athletic games with your equipment). If you would like to have a lesson with children, the lesson should be creative and one that draws their attention (example: object lessons, drama, interactive). All materials need to be brought with you, so coordinate with your leader on how to pack your supplies.

Work ProjectA work project includes various jobs including paint-ing, cutting grass, cleaning, etc... We recommend that you bring clothes and tennis shoes appropriate for these types of jobs.

Door-to-Door EvangelismWe recommend that each team member comes prepared to share their testimony and the plan of salvation. Practice sharing your testimony with family members before you go. Please keep in mind that Costa Rica is a country with deep Catholic traditions.

Sports MinistryYou will need equipment to conduct a sports minis-try. Please coordinate with your team leader regard-ing how much equipment you need to bring. Airlines charge for an extra bags so pack lightly, and keep your baggage receipts.

VBS or Kid’s ProgramThis kind of program should last about 1 1/2 hours and will take place in a public elementary school, preschool, or church. Children’s ages may vary from 4 to 10 years old. It is possible to have between 30 to 100 children. You may want to divide the children into smaller groups based on ages.

Example of suggested program:1. Grab their attention: Start off with something that is going to grab their attention such as puppets, short skits, magic tricks.2. Music: 3 songs preferable in Spanish (for ideas go to www.cedarmont.com). Songs with hand motions or sign language are recommended.3. Lesson: about 7 to 15 minutes4. Craft time: 15 minutes5. Games: (Awana games are good to play with elementary children. Bean bag relay, tug of war, balloon battle, etc...)

At times we work with the same children during the week, so it is recommended to have two lessons and two crafts.

If you would like to give small gifts, they should be in individual bags for each child and should be given out only with the permission of the director of the institution where you are working. (Examples: candy, bubbles, stickers, hair ties, bracelets, etc..)

If you would like to work with adolescents, the programs should be appropriate for that age group.

Please bring all craft items and equipment that you need for games with you. Coordinate with your team leader on what each person needs to pack.


Items for our facility in Costa RicaSheets and towels for our facilityMany of you write us to ask if there are items that your group could bring to help our ministry. Below is a list of items that we currently need at the SCORE Villa in Costa Rica.

1. Bedspreads – TWIN, FULL AND QUEEN – dark colors prefered.2. Lightweight blankets – TWIN, FULL AND QUEEN – dark colors preferred.3. Large, white bath towels, hand towels and wash cloths. 4. New, white, cotton, 250 count Twin, Full, and Queen size set of sheets.5. TWIN, FULL and QUEEN Mattress covers. These will help our mattresses last longer.

Each year, we have a greater number of people staying at our facilities and as you can imagine, these tend to wear out quickly.

Note: Your group can decide to collect these items from your school or church prior to going on the trip, however, please be aware that you will need to carry these items in your suitcases. Airlines do charge for extra luggage so keep this in mind.THANK YOU!

Suggested List of Donation Items for Costa Rica


SCORE International

Mailing Address:P.O. Box 9994

Chattanooga, TN 37412

Phone:423.894.7111 Office

423.894.7303 Fax

Email:[email protected]

Website:www.scoreintl.org

Facebook:SCORE International

Youtube:scoreministries

Costa Rica General Info

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