“Outward Bound Costa Rica is a great program that expands your horizons,” Balano-Stott said.

In the wetlands of San San Pond Sak, located on the Caribbean coast of Panama, she and her fellow Girl Scouts participated in a multi-day service project focused on protecting the endangered leatherback sea turtle population.

Balano-Stott and her group then traveled to the remote island of Solarte, located in the Bocas del Toro Archipelago, where they learned about the local ecology and marine life and scuba dived. After completing and passing the National Association of Underwater Instructors Open Water Certification training, Balano-Stott and her course mates are all now scuba-certified.

After returning to Outward Bound’s rainforest base in Costa Rica, the group ziplined through the jungle canopy and visited the artisan market of San Jose to finish up their adventure.

“Outward Bound Costa Rica’s programs, like the one Caroline 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.