2014 Costa Rica Gift Suggestions
Many of you have asked for ideas of what you might bring down to share with the various projects in Costa Rica or to give as gifts to your homestay hosts. Although it is nearly impossible to tell you in advance the make up of your home-stay families, here are some ideas of what you might bring:
Gift Ideas for Your Homestay Hosts
· Something personal to share of yourself – family photos, local flag, scrapbook, from your area.
· Puzzles, board games, games for children - playing cards, dominoes, jacks, marbles, pick up sticks, crayons, coloring books
· Tupperware or reusable plastic storage containers for the refrigerator
· Sheets for single or full beds
· Bath towels
· Tablecloths
· Steel or cast iron frying pans
· Small photo albums – perhaps with a picture or two of yourself and/or you family at the front of it, leaving the rest of it to fill with their own pictures
· Picture/Photo books of your area or state
· T-shirts or baseball caps or something with your school or city name/logo on it
· Easy books in English – preschool level – both new or used would be fine
· *Futbol (Soccer ball), Volleyball - used soccer cleats. *Be sure to deflate any balls that are brought
· Spanish/English dictionary
· Preschool toys
· Art Supplies
Remember, several students will be staying together in one home and it’s not necessary for everyone to bring an individual gift. If your group chooses, you can collectively purchase one or two gifts for each house (this might be a wise idea being that we are trying to streamline luggage items). There will be about 4 boys staying in each house, the girls and Miss Nolasco will most likely be staying together. Once (and if) I know the groupings before we travel, I will be sure to let you know.
Packing List for Expeditions
Pack in a duffel bag/suitcase/backpack that you can carry yourself and a day pack (If you have a suitcase with wheels, please realize there may be times when you will need to carry it short distances - wheels don’t work well in sand, gravel or mud). Don’t forget, you can still use our discount at EMS in Warrington.
Clothing
_ Hiking boots or sturdy sneakers
_ Teva or Keene-type sandals
_ 3-4 Pairs socks
_ 3-4 Pairs shorts
_ 5-6 T-shirts or short sleeve shirts
_ 2 Swimsuits
_ Rain gear or poncho (dark color for turtle patrols)
_ Hat/other UV protection while on beaches
_ Underwear—lots
_ Pajamas or sleepwear
_Waterbottle
Toiletries
_ Comb/brush
_ Shampoo/bath soap
_ Sunscreen 30+ (waterproof)
_ Insect repellent
_ Deodorant
_ After-bite stick
_ Prescription medications
_ Toothpaste/toothbrush
_ Washcloth and small towel
_ Hand Sanitizer (small bottle)
_ Personal items
TURTLE PROJECT PACKING TIPS
For Turtle Patrols, you will need dark clothes and a dark rain gear to keep the turtles from “seeing” you. Headlamps are optional, and our guides will not allow us to use these unless the headlamps are equipped with “red-light”.
Other Stuff
_ Money-$200 for tips, drinks, souvenirs and miscellaneous items
_ Camera-an old digital camera (that you don’t mind getting banged up) will work great
_ Alarm clock
_ Binoculars
_ Games, cards, things to do at night and on the bus (iphones can be taken at your own discretion)
_ Notebook and pens for journal (I will provide a composition book for all students)
_ Small flashlight (head lamps with red light work well) with extra batteries
_ 2 gallon-size ziploc bags for wet clothes & shoes, smaller ziploc bag for electronics
_ Home stay gifts