(SAN JOSE, Costa Rica – July 13, 2016): Graham Millar, a 16-year-old teen from Silver Spring, Maryland, recently completed a Summer Expedition to Panama with Outward Bound Costa Rica. On the 14-day course, he scuba dived coral reefs and aided in conservation efforts to protect endangered sea turtles.
“I learned so much about myself and what I like to do and that’s something everyone should experience,” Graham said.
Graham traveled to the remote island of Solarte, in the Bocas del Toro Archipelago in Panama. The students completed and passed their NAUI Open Water Certification training and are now scuba certified. Graham and his group also participated in a once in a lifetime night dive through the bioluminescent waters surrounding the mangrove islands.
From Solarte, Graham and his course mates sea kayaked to a small indigenous island to learn about medicinal plants from local women. This four-day expedition bonded Graham closer with his course mates as they maneuvered their way through the island’s waterways.
Graham’s course also included a multi-day service project at San San Pond Sak, wetlands located on the Caribbean coast of Panama. There they spent time protecting the endangered sea turtle population by building habitats, cataloging nests and performing night patrols.
Graham’s Outward Bound Costa Rica experience in Panama concluded with a day of snorkeling through mangroves, a catamaran ride to see a local wildlife close-up, and a visit to the famed Red Frog beach.
“Outward Bound Costa Rica’s programs, like the one Graham participated in, create environments that allow for personal and leadership development through challenges, group effort and cross-cultural understanding,” said Jim Rowe, Executive Director of Outward Bound Costa Rica.
About Outward Bound Costa Rica
Founded in 1991, Outward Bound Costa Rica inspires leadership, compassion, and responsibility through adventure-based wilderness experiences. Activities include backpacking, rafting, kayaking, surfing, rappelling, and scuba diving as well as cultural experiences such as homestays with local families. For more information, visit www.outwardboundcostarica.org.