2008 Summer Youth Spanish Programs Information

• Teen Surf and Spanish Program (Ages 14–17)
• Teen Spanish Immersion and Volunteer Program (Ages 14–17)
• Teen Art and Spanish Program (Ages 14–18)
• Children’s Spanish, Art, Sports and Adventure Camp (Ages 8–13)

ISLS, the Institute for Spanish Language Studies, is a world leader in Youth Spanish Immersion Programs. Over the past 15 years ISLS has worked with thousands of students, parents, families and high school administrators to set up unique and educational summer programs. Each of our teen Spanish programs is designed to combine the learning of the language with fun, adventurous, educational and culturally significant activities.

For the summer of 2008 we are offering our most exciting and diverse selection of options and locations yet. We will have ISLS owned and operated programs in Costa Rica & Mexico. We are also offering Spanish immersion programs in Spain through our affiliated partner schools in Alcalá de Henares (Madrid, Castila), San Sebastian (coastal Basque Country), Puerto de Santa Maria (Cadiz, coastal Andalusia), and Sevilla (inland Andalusia).

Our signature ISLS Teen Spanish and Surf Camp will continue to be offered in Playa Dominical, Costa Rica and in Puerto Escondido, Mexico. Our Teen Spanish Immersion and Volunteer Program is offered in Turrialba, Costa Rica. Our Teen Art and Spanish Program is again offered in Playa Tamarindo, Costa Rica. Also, for our younger students, the Spanish, Art and Sports Camp is in Playa Tamarindo.

Both teen programs in Costa Rica are designed so that students can combine multiple courses at a discounted rate. Enrollment in all programs and camps is limited, so you will want to sign up in advance to secure your slot.

Below is an overview of each program with pricing and schedule information. For complete itineraries, please click on the individual links for each camp and location.

Teen Surf and Spanish Program (Ages 14- 17)

This is our signature program and is what we believe to be the most unique Teen Summer Spanish Program in Central America. Students from ages 14 to 17 are eligible to participate in this exceptional two week program. With interactive and intensive Spanish classes, surf lessons, and adventure tours, as well as group and cultural activities, students will have a new and exciting experience.

This is the perfect program for high school students looking to have fun and adventure while learning Spanish in a tropical beach environment. Included in this program are: All adventure tours and activities (a list of activities is below), three half-day surf lessons, use of surfboards, lodging in a three star resort, Welcome to Cost Rica dinner, three meals per day, three hours per day of Spanish instruction, study materials, all in country transportation, health/travel insurance and bilingual guides.

The regular price of the program is $2800. The price for two sessions is $5200.

In the Playa Dominical, Costa Rica, camp, the adventure activities included are: A day long river rafting trip on class 3 & 4 rapids, horseback riding to a waterfall, zip lining through the forest canopy, boat ride and snorkeling trip to Cano Island and tour of the Corcovado Rainforest National Park.

In the Puerto Escondido, Mexico camp the adventure activities included are: River Rafting on a class 2 & 3 river, horseback riding to a waterfall, deep see fishing and snorkeling with the dolphins, night visit to turtle sanctuary to help in breading program and estuary boat trip to view crocodiles and iguanas.

In each location students will participate in a beach clean up effort to protect the natural environment. Other volunteer activities are also available.

Start Dates

Teen Spanish Immersion and Volunteer Program (Ages 14- 17)

This is a true language and cultural immersion program, and was our original summer program for teenagers which we developed in order to give high school students an intensive and fun Spanish immersion experience. It was the first of its kind in Costa Rica and is designed to provide a learning environment that is specifically designed for teenagers. It was the success of this program that eventually led to the creation of the Teen Spanish and Surf Camp. Students can participate in this program for two or four weeks.

This is the perfect program for those students who are very serious about learning the Spanish language. Students stay with local families and share two meals each day with them, as well as interact in family life. In the afternoon and evenings there are activities designed to promote the Costa Rican culture. These activities along with volunteer opportunities help the student to speak the language outside of class and host family. On the weekends there are fun and exciting activities that showcase Costa Rica’s natural beauty. Turrialba is a very safe and accessible town 1 ½ hours away from the traffic and congestion of San Jose.

Included in this program are: All adventure tours and activities (a list of activities is below), four hours per day of intensive Spanish instruction Monday through Friday, Welcome to Cost Rica dinner, airport pick up and drop off, lodging with a local Costa Rican family, three meals per day (two with the family), study materials, all in country transportation, health/travel insurance and bilingual guides.

The regular two week price of the program is $2200. The price for four weeks is $3900.

The town of Turrialba has 35,000 in habitants and is located in a mountain valley, 1 ½ hours from San Jose. The activities that are included in the program are: An all day catamaran tour to Turtle Island on the Pacific coast, a two day rafting trip on class 3 & 4 rapids staying the night on the river at a jungle lodge, Latin Dance classes, Latin Cooking classes, a tour to the Goyabo National Archeological Monument and a Mountain biking tour of the rainforest. Students will also have the opportunity to volunteer in the local community. Two afternoons each week will be set aside for volunteer activities. Some examples include: helping local elementary school students learn English, helping out at a local orphanage and volunteering to help the environment.

Start Dates

Teen Art and Spanish Program (Ages 14- 18)

This very special program combines morning art lessons taught by successful and accomplished artists and teachers with afternoon Spanish immersion classes & weekend adventure activities. It is a one of a kind experience with nothing comparable in Latin America. The camp is located at our Spanish immersion center in Playa Tamarindo, Costa Rica. This tropical, dry forest beach setting is perfect for capturing the beauty of nature at its finest.

The camp is designed for serious art students who are interested in combining an intensive art experience with learning Spanish and visiting Costa Rica. Included in this program are: All adventure tours and activities, river rafting on class 2 & 3 rapids, zip lining tour, two day/one night visit to Arenal volcano and hot springs, 10 half day art lessons, lodging in a three star resort, Welcome to Cost Rica dinner, three meals per day, three hours per day of Spanish instruction, some art materials, all in country transportation, health/travel insurance and bilingual guides.

The price of the program is $2900.

We are very excited to have the extremely talented and successful artist Richard Godfrey join us again for our program as instructors. Richard is a very accomplished artist, having had numerous gallery showings. His Bio is below.

Richard Godfrey: BFA 1976, MFA 1978 San Francisco Art Institute. Additional studies at Carnegie Mellon University and Cleveland Art Institute. Mr. Godfrey has been involved in art education with youth and college programs over the past fifteen years, conducting classes and workshops at the University of Los Angeles, California; San Francisco Art Institute; Santa Monica Museum, as well as numerous other institutions. As an artist, Richard Godfrey has exhibited his work in galleries and museums both nationally and internationally including Otis Institute, Pasadena Armory Center for the Arts, Laguna Art Museum and the Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery. Examples of his work can be seen at www.richardgodfrey.com

Start Dates

Children’s Spanish, Art, Sports & Adventure Camp (Ages 8- 13)

Over the years we have had many families with children attend our Spanish programs during the summer. This is an enjoyable and educational way for them to experience a new country and culture while learning a new language. The purpose of our Children’s Camp is to combine a number of different fun activities in an overall learning environment. This creates a less intensive and more enjoyable atmosphere for younger children to learn Spanish.

This is a one to four week long day camp for families traveling to Costa Rica with children between the ages of 8 and 13. The parents can take the adult Spanish language course at our Spanish Immersion Center in Playa Tamarindo, Costa Rica or they can relax all day while their children are in the program. The location on the beach is a true tropical, dry forest paradise with plenty of things to do for all ages of the family. It is a great swimming beach as well as a popular surf spot.

The program goes from 9am to 3pm, Monday through Friday. The weekends in the middle are open for families to travel and do their own thing. Every morning and afternoon parents will first drop their children off at the ISLS Spanish Immersion Center and then pick them up. During the day there will always be two hours of fun and interactive Spanish classes. In addition to the Spanish classes and lunch there will also be at least one other activity. These activities are: art lessons with artist Richard Godfrey, surf lessons, soccer matches with local Costa Rican children, zip lining tour, beach volleyball games, swimming at the beach, visit to a Monkey Park, visit to the Marine Aquarium, boat tour of estuary and Goodbye to Costa Rica party.

The price of the program is $600/week.

Playa Tamarindo is located on the northwest coast of Costa Rica in the Tropical dry forest. It is one of the most popular destinations in Costa Rica for families. There are a number of reasons for this. The weather is the best in all of Costa Rica with the most days of sunshine. The beach is long, white sand and stretches over a mile in front of the town. There are lots of lodging options from inexpensive hostels to 4 star eco resorts. The infrastructure is some of the best in the country and the Liberia airport is only 45 minutes from Tamarindo. Put this together with the incredible diversity of wildlife, national parks and activities and you have a fantastic destination for the whole family.

Start Dates