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Cook County High School kids are working to raise money to go to Costa Rico next summer on an eight-day cultural trip though the CCHS Travel Club. Staff photo Brian Larsen
Cook County High School Spanish teacher Erin Petz Giguere hopes to take a group of students to Costa Rica next year, reviving a tradition that she took advantage of in high school.
As near as anyone can remember, the last time kids from CCHS went on an international cultural trip was around 2010. That said, one was planned for 2020, but that—and pretty much everything worldwide—was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
So far, 11 kids, three boys and eight girls, grades 9th-10th, have signed up to spend eight days in Costa Rica next July.
“The trip is open for kids’ 9th -12 grades,” Petz said. “We are hoping to get more kids to sign up. We can take 30-35, but realistically, maybe four or five more kids will join us.”
EF Tours will lead the group. “They (EF) will probably pair us with another school, and we will share a coach bus. The itinerary includes a lot of outdoor activities, kayaking, trekking through a Cloud Forest, visiting a coffee farm, attending cultural events, visiting a volcano, hot springs, etc.” Erin said, adding, “They will keep us very busy.”
Over Fisherman’s Picnic, the CCHS Travel Club will host Bingo on Friday night at the Lion’s Club Bingo tent, with the proceeds going toward paying for the trip. There will be other fundraisers throughout the year, and people can donate by writing a check to the school in support of the CCHS Travel Club Costa Rico cultural adventure.
The cost per student for round trip airfare, hotel, food, and full-time tour director is $4,126 each. Erin said kids will have to bring spending money for anything extra they may want to buy.
“We are hoping to offer a trip every two years,” Erin said. “So far, the response has been very good. If kids are interested in signing up, they can go to the trip enrollment page and sign up.”
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