2012 WAPF Summer Retreat in Costa Rica for Families and Singles

Summer 2012
Session A June 23 – June30

Session B July 4 July – July11

WAPF, GAPS, Paleo and Gluten intolerant friendly
***SCROLL DOWN FOR PICTURES OF THE TENTS AND THE FARM AND ONE VIDEO OF GINA, THE ORGANIZER***

Waldorf/Steiner inspired activities for children from 4 to 12 years old

For children 12+ and parents below is the list of activities

Location

Most activities will be held at Los Pinitos, our 30 acre (12 ha) organic farm/forest property 7 km (4 miles) from the town of Turrialba. At 1100m (3300 ft) altitude, the yearly average temperature is a pleasant 21° C (70°F). The property overlooks the Turrialba Valley and the Central mountain range of Costa Rica with the highest peak of Central America in the distance.

Los Pinitos Organic Farm, Costa Rica

On the farm, beautiful hiking paths lead you along a river through our species-rich forest and shaded coffee fields with tropical fruit trees, palms, a large variety of tasty bananas, oranges, mandarins and lemons, pineapples, turmeric, gingers, wild raspberries, orchids, and many medicinal and ornamental plants. You will also get to know the Mayan lipstick tree. Further on you walk through lush pastures with living fences for our grass-fed Jersey cows. Wildlife includes more than 200 bird species (weaver birds, Toucans, parakeets, owls, etc.), armadillos, raccoons, squirrels and many others.

Childrens’ Activities (4 to 11 years)
Waldorf-oriented activities including group games, forest walks, building huts from natural materials, singing and dancing, rushing down a water slide, drawing and painting, flute playing, milking cows, feeding chicken, gardening, bird watching etc.

Adults’ Activities (12 years and up)
Day One (Sat July 30th): San Jose airport pick up. Dinner and sleeping at Los Pinitos (scroll down page for photos of the farm and tents)

Day Two (Sunday July 31st): Hiking tour of our farm. Learn about the challenges that organic farmers face today and how this is influencing the landscapes and farmers' communities in Costa Rica. Basic notion of self sufficiency in the tropics, medicinal plants. Discover the rich fauna and flora of our region. Nice Zip line/canyoning.

Day Three (Monday August 1st): Hike through the biggest coffee farm of Costa Rica. Learn about coffee history, growing, processing, and environmental and social certification. If time permits, you can pick some coffee. Visit historic church, picnic and swimming in a (cool) pool under a huge waterfall

Guayabo

Day Four ( Tuesday august 2nd): Guayabo National Park and Monument (a UNESCO world heritage site!) and then spend a day with a typical Costa Rican farming family and enjoy visiting their farm and biodigestor after a typical meal

Day Five (Wednesday august 3rd): Caribbean beach excursion.

Day Six( Thursday august 4th): Rafting on the very lush Peyibaye river

Day 7th (Friday august 5th): Visit CATIE botanical garden and collections. Farmers market, souvenir shop and coffee processing

Day 8 (Saturday 6th) : Airport drop off

Program is not necessary in that order. Final program dates will be based on date of arrival.

Most activities and events directly benefit many small scale local farming families.

Lodging

Scroll down for more tent pics

Each family will be accommodated in one or more tents with private bathrooms (click "pics" label to see more photos) . Singles will have their own tents and shared bathrooms.

Food and Cooking
Nutrient and enzyme-rich food. Real butter, virgin coconut oil, sourdough bread and sauerkraut. Delicious Caribbean and continental food will be prepared based on Dr Price’s findings and the Nourishing Traditions cookbook of Sally Fallon and Mary Enig. Vegetarians will be accommodated as well.

Raw Milk and Cheese produced on the farm

Cost for:



The price includes:
• all transport (in Costa Rica) incl. airport shuttle,
• National Park fees,
• All food and beverages and accommodation in tents
• All activities organized by Wise Traditions Costa Rica

Conditions
Children must be accompanied by parents or legal guardian at all times except during children only activities when they will be with teachers or monitors.

Camp Organizers
The Muschler family: Gina and Reinhold are the founders of the Turrialba Waldorf School, Wapf chapter leaders for Turrialba and the central valley of Costa Rica, and members of the Association of Organic Farmers of Turrialba. They have two lovely daughters (Naomi, 14 and Malaika, 9, in the photos). Gina is a medicinal and ayurvedic herb educator and Reinhold is a professor of tropical agroecology.

Contact: Gina Baker
mailto:waldorfcostarica@yahoo.com
Tel. 011-506-2556-8021
Verbena Norte de Turrialba
Costa Rica