By Nadia Dutton, Staff Writer
May 1, 2024
COSTA RICA- The Rockland High School Travel Club explored Costa Rica over their April vacation.
The trip consisted of English teacher and Travel Club advisor, Ms. Kristen Walsh, and English and AP Psychology teacher Mrs. Kendra Donavon. A total of nine Rockland students went.
The trip was extremely fun-filled and exciting, with a packed itinerary. Some activities they did included white water rafting, ziplining, and adventuring to a pineapple farm.
After the trip, Mrs. Donovan was able to check off one of her major bucket list items: white water rafting.
While on the trip, she also tried a variety of new snacks and exotic fruits, like sour passion fruit.
Mrs. Donovan explained, “The trip reinforced the idea that we live in such a fast-paced society by seeing everyone go at their own pace, and people were so kind and it felt so peaceful.”
She continued, “I just had a great time. I loved going with the students, it was so much fun. I love Central America so it was great.”
Mrs. Donovan also went to Central America for her 2022 Belize trip with the Travel Club.
Another traveler who went to Costa Rica was senior Kathleen Quinn, and this was her first trip with the Travel Club. Her favorite activity was white water rafting.
“Everyone was so kind. The trip was very special and showed me how important it is to learn about different cultures,” she said.
While there, Quinn enjoyed shopping and looking around the different shops. Her favorite item she bought was a homemade necklace.
The entire group was very open to trying new things.
Quinn explained, “I tried a lot of new foods. I had empanadas, rice and beans, plantains, different chicken, lots of fruits, coconut, coffee, cassava chips and pork chops.”
There is a Travel Club informational meeting tomorrow, Thursday, May 2 at 7 p.m. in the Lecture Hall for students and parents to learn about trips to England, Ireland, Wales, and France in April 2025 and Ecuador and the Galapagos in April 2026.
Anyone who wants more information about future trips can contact Ms. Walsh at kwalsh@rocklandschools.org.