Trip Information

Servant Life partners to send American teams on short-term mission experiences to help reach the people of Costa Rica with the hope of the gospel. We currently serve in three different ministry locations, each offering unique opportunities for your team. Whether your group is passionate about children's ministry, youth outreach, community service, or camp ministry, we can help match your team with the best fit. Let us know the type of ministry experience you're looking for, and we'll help you choose the location that best aligns with your group's gifts and goals.

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Camp Ministry – San Ramón

We partner with a long-standing ministry whose passion is to reach the vast number of youth throughout the Spanish-speaking world with the transforming message of Jesus Christ.
 

In the late 1990's, the idea formed to develop a premier Christian camp that would endeavor to work through the local church in reaching Costa Rica for Christ. They dreamed and prayed for a large property that would allow for the building of a state-of-the-art camp in order to reach many young people with the gospel. In 1998, that vision became a reality when God provided a 600-acre cloud forest property bordering the Tilarán Mountain Range outside of San Ramón.
 

With the technical advice and wise counsel of friends, as well as the prayers and financial support of hundreds of Christians, they began building a camp for 150 teenagers. The recreational program and spiritual impact over the years was so evident that the facilities have grown and doubled their capacity over time.
 

The camp now has the capacity for 300 campers. The facilities include boys' and girls' cabins, large restrooms, a dining commons, a 400-seat chapel, a large gymnasium and game room, a sports field, high and low ropes courses, three large ponds for water games, staff and guest housing, and an office/reception area.
 

Since opening in 2001, more than 50,000 youth have attended camp, and thousands have committed their lives to Jesus Christ. Servant Life is excited to partner with this ministry as we send teams to help serve during their youth camps.
 

Community Ministry – San Bernardino

Teams serving in San Bernardino partner with a thriving local church that is actively reaching its surrounding community. Ministry opportunities include home visits, children's and student ministry, evangelistic outreach, community events, practical service projects, and encouragement for local families. This location provides a highly relational ministry experience as teams work alongside church members to strengthen the church's ongoing impact in the community.
 

Community Ministry – Río Cuarto

In Río Cuarto, teams serve alongside a student-focused Christian ministry dedicated to reaching the next generation while caring for the broader community. Ministry opportunities may include children's programs, youth nights, discipleship activities, outreach events, service projects for families in need, and ministry to senior adults. Teams have the opportunity to build meaningful relationships while supporting local believers who are faithfully serving year-round.

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What will my team be doing? 

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Teams serving at the San Ramón camp will stay on the campgrounds and work alongside the camp staff to host Costa Rican students in a service-oriented role. You will become part of the daily camp routine and may help lead camp activities such as Olympic games, mud obstacle courses, and lake time, serve in the kitchen, prepare cabins for campers, assist with maintenance projects, or help with painting, brush clearing, concrete work, and other improvements around the 600-acre property.

Groups serving in San Bernardino or Río Cuarto will spend their week partnering directly with local churches and ministry leaders through community outreach, children's and youth ministry, home visits, discipleship opportunities, practical service projects, and evangelism. Each week is customized to meet the needs of the local ministry and community, giving your team a unique opportunity to support long-term gospel work already taking place.
 

All teams will have the opportunity to experience Costa Rica's beauty during a free day, with options such as visiting volcano-fed hot springs, exploring La Fortuna, zip-lining, or other local excursions.

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What does a general weekly schedule look like?

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• Saturday. Travel day. Arrive and get settled in.

• Sunday. Orientation, worship with a local church, and preparation for the week ahead.

• Monday - Thursday. Ministry days serving through camp programs or community outreach, depending on your team's ministry location.

• Friday. Free day to explore Costa Rica. Groups may visit the hot springs, zip-line, explore local markets, or choose other excursion options (additional costs may apply).

• Saturday. Travel day. Depart for home.

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What does my cost include?

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• In-country transportation. From the moment you land at the airport until the moment you leave, we will take you everywhere during the week. Once you get to the campground, everything will be walkable at that point. If your team wants to leave the camp for an excursion such as zip-lining or hot springs, we will take care of you (although those experiences themselves do cost extra).

• Housing. Your team will sleep in bunk bed-style accommodations with access to hot showers and bathrooms. You will need to bring light twin sheets, a towel & pillow.

• Meals. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner, every day! (Note: You need to pay for your own meals at the airport, while traveling, etc.)

• Supplemental Traveler's Medical Insurance. In the event of a medical emergency, you'll be covered with an international policy! *Interested in upgrading to a more comprehensive insurance plan that includes trip cancellation and interruption coverage? Ask a Servant Life team member for more information today!

• T-Shirt. Every participant gets an awesome mission trip t-shirt.

• Pre-Trip Training Material. We provide training sessions, trip overview documents, assistance from our team of mission trip experts, and communication with in-country missionaries to make sure your group is fully prepared for your trip.

• Pre, During, and Post-trip Devotionals. This 4-week printed missions journal will help every team member grow and encounter Christ.
   

Airfare is not included in the trip cost, but will be taken care of by Servant Life's travel agent who gets humanitarian rates and often free baggage. You may book on your own if you prefer to do so, but we ask to approve the itinerary first.