Saturday, December 14, 2013



April, 19 - 26, 2014 

WAPF, GAPS 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 April 19th): San Jose airport pick up *
(with fresh coconut water). Dinner and sleeping at Los Pinitos (scroll down page for photos of the farm and tents)






Day Two (Sunday 20th): 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 notions of self sufficiency in the tropics, medicinal plants. Discover the rich fauna and flora of our region. Nice Zip line/canyoning or go swimming/hiking to a beautiful river.



Day 3 (Monday 21st): visit to the volcan Irazu then head to a natural occurring hot spring and have a healing caly bath   Or go  Rafting on the very lush Peyibaye river



Day Four (Tuesday 22nd): Guayabo National Park and Monument (a UNESCO world heritage site!) and then have lunch with a typical Costa Rican farming family and enjoy visiting their farm and biodigestor after a typical meal
Day 5th (Wednesday 23rd): Visit CATIE botanical garden and collections. Farmers market, souvenir shop and coffee processing.  Learning how to make soap.
 
Day Six (Thursday 24th): Caribbean beach excursion. 




Day 7th (Friday 25th); 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


Day 8 (Saturday 26th) : Airport drop off

*On the day of arrival there will be two scheduled  pick up in the afternoon


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


Lodging



 

    
Each family will be accommodated in one or more tents with private bathrooms (click "pics" label to see more photos)  and electricity. 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, stock. Delicious Caribbean and continental food will be prepared based on Dr Price’s findings and the Nourishing Traditions cookbook of Sally Fallon. Vegetarians (plenty of organic 100% grass fed cheese, milk, yogurt, eggs and soaked beans) and gluten intolerant will be accommodated (we cook with manioc root powder or other non gluten based starch) as well.


Raw Milk and Cheese produced on the farm

Cost for:

Cost for:
Single occupancy $1379.00
Double $1129.00 per person
Triple $1049.00 per person
Quadruple $989.00 per person
Children (4 to 11 yrs old) $989.00 as well
Children up to 3 years old do not pay (but must be supervised by parents) at all time.
Includes airport transfers and all activities, transport to activities, three WAPF meals a day and lodging.   Does not include airline tickets and exit taxes (approx $26.00). 
**5% discount will apply to those that register before the 30th of January.  Past campers will get a 15% off.  Groups of 12 or more get one person free.  Nanny Service will be available for younger kids (0-4yr) at $3.00/hr.
Most activities and events directly benefit many small scale local farming families.

Forms of Payment
Please note that a $175.00 deposit is needed to confirm these prices and reservation.
· Payment is to be sent to my US Wells Fargo Account, please email me at gmuschler@gmail.com for account info.
· After deposit do email and let me know
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 Los Pinitos Camp

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.

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

WAPF-Oriented Christmas and New Years 2012-2013 Retreat on the Beach in Costa Rica


Week A    Sat. December 22 - Sat. December 29, 2012
Week B    Sat. December 29 - Sat. Jan 5, 2013
Week C    Sat. January 5 - Sat. January 12, 2013

Note:  If you can't stay the whole week please email me for price of partial week.

$1389 per adult based on double occupancy
$1589 single occupancy 
$1289 per adult for three to six people
$999 for children (5 to 10 years old accompanied by adult)
Children 4 and under attend for free.  Includes airport transfers and all activities and transport to activities, three WAPF meals a day (see menu), and lodging.   Does not include airline tickets and exit taxes (approx $26.00). 5% discount will apply to those that register before the 30th of September.  Past campers will get a 20% off.  Groups of 12 or more get one person free. Nanny Service available for younger kids (0-4yr) $3.00/hr)

Activities*: Visit organic and biodynamic farms, entrance fee to Manuel Antonio national park (white sand beaches), boat tour of beautiful Mangrove, canopy, learning how to make coconut oil, soap etc… (For day to day activities please scroll down ).*Optional activities (not included in package) massage on the beach, river rafting, kayaking, horseback riding, canopy, Dolphin boat tour etc…
Accommodations: We will be spending all 7 nights at Hotel La Isla, a 20-acre property located right on a tree-lined gray-sand beach on the central Pacific coast between Parrita and Quepos.  Miles and miles of sandy beaches will allow relaxing morning and evening walks.  Rooms are small but comfortable and very clean.  Each room features private bath with hot water, a ceiling fan, and air conditioning.  This is the hot and dry season on the Pacific coast, so no need for an umbrella! Also, the Pacific is calm and great for swimming during this season.
Food: Will be prepared by an Italian chef and will consist of raw organic milk, cream, butter and yogurt, raw ice cream, sauerkraut, sourdough bread, organic grass-fed beef, pasture-raised chicken, organic pork, fresh fish and shrimp from the sea, daily beef or chicken stock, organic salad, organic coconut oil, fresh delicious, coconut water, organic lard, also organic honey, ginger kefir, and more (Menu to be posted shortly).  All grains will be properly soaked and we will also always offer very digestible tropical roots/tubers.
GAPS, Paleo, Gluten intolerant diets will be accommodated.    
Contact: Gina Baker, Turrialba, Costa Rica, Wapf Chapter leader, gmuschler@yahoo.com 
A note from Gina: "I can also provide you with the contact info of previous participants if you're interested in hearing their experiences!" 

Tentative Activity Schedule:

Saturday:    Arrival.  Pick up from the San Jose Juan Santamaria airport
Sunday:       Kayak or boat tour of mangroves.
Monday:       Visit a very beautiful biodynamic spice farm.        
Tuesday:      Free to roam on the beach, register for optional activities, and get a massage on the beach.
Playa Palo Seco
Wednesday: Visit an organic farm (where our vegetables will come from) run by a women's association  and then visit the famous and beautiful Manuel Antonio National park (white sand beaches).
Thursday    Hiking in a rain forest reserve, walking on a series of suspended bridges while enjoying this unique opportunity to view the forest and it inhabitants from 160 feet.
Mangroves
Friday:        Learn how to make coconut oil from scratch the traditional way and also visit an island where our tubers are farmed
Saturday:    Departure.  Airport drop off in San Jose, Costa Rica.

Thursday, December 23, 2010

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

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Suggested Off-the-Beaten-Track itinerary for Nature Lovers in Costa Rica

If staying only a week or two in Costa Rica, the ideal would be to visit either the East or the West side of the country.

Suggested Tour of the Eastern Costa Rica:

Day 1: Arrival in San Jose--if arriving late it's best to stay at a hotel in Alajuela, a nice colonial style town about 5 min from airport. My friend Pierre owns a guesthouse there called Hotel el Tucan.

Day 2: Visit the town and its central market. Then you can rent a car form a number of companies we suggest.

Days 2-7: Bypass the urban jungle of San José and drive the road rated the most beautiful and scenic of all Costa Rica to Turrialba, a charming town nestled amongst coffee plantations midway between San José and the Caribbean coast. This part of the country is also known as the cheese center of Costa Rica. It also boasts two beautiful volcanoes. Our farm, Los Pinitos, is located right before Turrialba On our farm you can rent a nice bamboo framed tent with its own bathroom attached. A large open kitchen fully furnished is available to use. The price is $50/night double occupancy.

There are a number of very interesting activities to do in this area:

• Visit the Turrialba or Irazu volcano while picnicking on delicious local cheeses
• The Guayabo national monument and rain forest
• The beautiful lush Orosi valley and the Cartago basilica
• Kayak on the Payibaye river
• River rafting on the scenic Pacuare River
• Visit the lovely CATIE botanical garden, home of the largest coffee and cacao collections in the world
• Biking/Mountain Biking
• Have a nice picnic on the biggest coffee farm in Costa Rica and enjoy a huge waterfall known only by the locals
• Have lunch with with a typical Costa Rican farming family and see their biodigestor and go horseback riding on their farm
• Canyoning and ziplining
• And for those who have the time, why not take Spanish lessons?

Days 7-10: Head to the Atlantic (Caribbean) Coast, where you will find the most beautiful beaches of Costa Rica. The road along the coast is lush and palm-tree-lined with the sea as a backdrop.
The sleepy Caribbean towns of Puerto Viejo and Cahuita will transport you to Jamaica. These towns have not been touched by big developers because of protective environmental laws that apply to them

Puerto Viejo is a quiet surfer town with delicious Jamaican and Caribbean-style food. The local population, many of which emigrated from jamaica to work on the banana plantations in the 1800s, still speak English well.

We can recommend a villa just outside of Puerto Viejo which is just across the dirt road from the most beautiful beach here. It is also lined with trees and secluded. From there one can visit the Cahuita National Park, with it's beautiful long stretch of white-sand beach. While hiking along the beach one can see a lot of interesting wildlife (monkeys, sloths, etc.) You can also snorkel on the coral reef.

If you prefer a little less seclusion, you may want to stay in the town of Puerto VIejo. In Puerto Viejo there are a lot of things to do, as well. You can go kayaking along a lush river to an indigenous reserve; surf; visit the gandoca wildlife refuge; and many other fun things.
While on the coast, the ideal would be to visit on of the gems of natural Costa Rica: Tortuguero National Park and its canals. You can make a reservation at Puerto Viejo’s office of tourism.

After Tortuguero you may wish to take the aerial tram of the Braulio Carillo Park on your way back toward San José.

Departure Day: Head back to San José, possibly the day before, depending on your flight time.