By Elaine Gargano, Staff Writer
October 19, 2023
ROCKLAND- The Rockland High School Travel Club trip, originally heading to Australia and New Zealand in July, will instead be going to Costa Rica in April.
Travel Club adviser Ms. Kristen Walsh explained that there was a lack of student applicants for the Australia and New Zealand trip meaning that they “would not have enough students that they would be able to bring another adult chaperone,” which created a safety concern for the school district.
The Costa Rica trip will include experiences of zip lining, jungle hiking, a visit to a volcano, and trips to pineapple and coffee farms. Students will also get to practice their Spanish language skills while interacting with locals.
The price set for each student to attend the Costa Rica trip is about $3400. This price is a concern for some student travelers.
Past traveler, senior Hope Sylvester explained that, “funding played a major role in her choice not to go on the Costa Rica trip.”
This viewpoint is also expressed by, Italy and Belize Travel Club trip attendee, senior Mary McPartlin who said she “love to go to Costa Rica, but having the trip be last minute made that difficult.”
Ms.Walsh explained that while “there are fundraising opportunities, in general the trips have to be paid for by the students' family.”
While these trips are a luxury not everyone can afford, they offer a great insight to other cultures and traditions, an aspect appreciated by the students and teachers.
Italy trip attendee, senior Anthony Ciano, stated that the Travel Club “gives students the opportunity to travel to different countries and have experiences they would not be able to have otherwise.”
Ms. Ashley Leighton, who chaperoned the trip to Italy last April, also views the trips as a cultural experience.
She said they “allow students to experience other cultures firsthand, which helps students become well rounded individuals.”
This chance to experience other customs and viewpoints trumps the price and stress of making the cut in fundraising. Italy trip attendee, senior Sophie Levy, shares that “the experience was worth the time and money.”
Any student who is interested in more information about the trip or would like to sign up, should reach out to Ms. Walsh at kwalsh@rocklandschools.org.