Costa Rica Odyssey: Resources
Resources
CCS
A Fresh Chapter actively partners with Cross Cultural Solutions, or CCS, a 20+ year-old organization that is a leader in the international volunteering space and has been working in Costa Rica for more than 15 years. We love partnering with them (we’ve partnered with them four times in India, as well as in Peru and Costa Rica!) because they take care of every single detail to ensure you are safe and well cared for during your time in country. They pick you up at the airport, take care of food and accommodation, help arrange volunteer experiences with local organizations, and plan cultural activities.
Once you have paid or fundraised your deposit of $450, you will receive an email from Manisha, our Program Coordinator, with steps on how to sign up with Cross-Cultural Solutions. Once registered, you’ll have access to all of the resources relating to Costa Rica and will be able to submit the information CCS needs to match you to the right volunteer placement. CCS requires all participants to complete and upload forms and pertinent information onto their website at least 60 days prior to arrival in country. We strongly encourage you to complete the paperwork as quickly as possible – especially your Skills & Interest Form. For easy reference, here is the link to myCCS.
Katie Nichols is our CCS Groups Specialist – Team Lead. Her contact info is available on Rallyhood.
Rallyhood
In addition to this site, we use a platform called Rallyhood to connect virtually and share A Fresh Chapter tools and resources before and after we travel.
Rallyhood is one place for us to share a calendar, files, photos, messages, and sign-ups.
Once you have paid or fundraised your deposit of $450, you will receive an invitation from A Fresh Chapter to join the Costa Rica Odyssey. If Rallyhood is new to you, you’ll be prompted to create an account. It’s quick, easy, and free. You can then engage via email, app, or the website. This is where you will receive all A Fresh Chapter content and have a chance to connect virtually with your entire tribe.
You can find Rallyhood here. Once you have made an account and accepted the invitation to join the Costa Rica Odyssey Rally, you will be able to access it anytime on the Rallyhood site.
And here is a helpful guide with the Rallyhood basics.
Forms & Deadlines
AFC Forms:
Please sign these forms and email them to Manisha by the deadline indicated:
AFC Agreement & Release Form -within 2 weeks of program acceptance
AFC Medical Release Form – deadline TBD
Other AFC Deadlines:
Dietary Requests – send to Manisha before deadline TBD
CCS Forms:
Forms can be found on myCCS. Please submit these online via the CCS Dashboard before the deadline (TBD).
- Personal Data Form
- Health Form
- Medical Clearance
- Self Care
- Skills & Interests (Please submit this form asap as it is critical to the success of your volunteer placement)
- Flight Information
- Passport Information
- Drug & Alcohol Policy
- Agreement & Release
- Donations and Gift-Giving Policy