Group

In addition to our extensive support services for individual volunteers, the CRHF also provides unique volunteer experiences for visiting groups from the Canada, Europe, and the United States. As with our individual volunteers, volunteer groups undertake humanitarian projects of their own choosing, ranging from teaching classes in rural Costa Rican schools as part of our School 2 Escuela program to larger scale projects like the construction of medical clinics and houses. The CRHF will also make travel arrangements for volunteer groups to visit spectacular tourist destinations throughout the country like Tortuguero, Arenal, and Puerto Viejo. From the moment you arrive in San Jose and are picked up by a CRHF driver at the airport, the CRHF will arrange and manage all phases of your volunteer experience before dropping you off at the airport on the final day for your trip home.

Pricing

Because no two CRHF volunteer group experiences are alike, we do not charge a set fee for volunteer groups. Prices are determined after first discussing what humanitarian project your group would like to undertake and which tourist destinations you would like to visit. Typically, volunteer group prices range from $50-$100/day/volunteer and are calculated as follows:

Group Price = [Project Expenses] + [Tourism Expenses] + [Homestay Expenses] + [CRHF Donation]

Project Expenses are all costs directly associated with your project, and include transportation to and from the work site, project materials, and fees paid to additional laborers and contractors that are needed for some construction projects.

Tourism Expenses depend on the trip(s) your group decides to take while in Costa Rica, and includes transportation to and from your destination, meals, and lodging as well as any special tours you make while at the site.

Homestay Expenses are calculated on a per night basis at a cost of $30/volunteer/night. An additional group fee is paid to the homestay coordinator.

CRHF Donation is a contribution that visiting groups make to the Foundation to help support other ongoing CRHF projects. All volunteer group donations are applied directly to support ongoing programs to support at-risk populations we serve and a full explanation of where donations are applied is supplied to group participants.

We suggest that volunteers bring an extra duffle bag with donations for projects and for sale to help purchase needed materials and basic food baskets. Thus, for example, a group may raise additional funds while here by selling used clothing, shoes, linens, games or toys at low cost. The proceeds are then applied to the purchase of such important items as school supplies, clinic and daycare center furnishing, literacy program materials, and food. Selling the materials hereby serves the communities in two ways by providing access to low-cost necessary items and food, while also providing funding for community improvement projects.

Homestays

One of the richest parts of the CRHF volunteer experience is the Costa Rican homestay. Chosen for their commitment to and understanding of CRHF's goals and vision, homestay families provide a stable and supportive environment for volunteers to come home to after spending long and intense days in the field. Volunteers can expect a private room, comfortable living conditions, laundry service, and good, healthy food at their homestay. These families are also a tremendous source of local and cultural knowledge, and are invaluable resources as volunteers learn to adjust to a different way of life. In addition, CRHF volunteers are a source of education, cultural awareness and enjoyment for the families, and allow for a powerful cultural interchange to take place. For group volunteers, the homestay fee is $30/volunteer/night. Families use this homestay fee to pay for education for their children, improve the quality of their diets, and make necessary home improvements.