OREM — With field trips to the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone Park already in her bag, Lauren Anderson traveled to Costa Rica for what she considers an ultimate adventure — to study geology.
Anderson and 23 other students began their 11-day academic vacation — part of a Utah Valley State College course for high school students — in San Jose, nestled in a valley surrounded by rain forests, then stumbled through mountainous terrain and volcano territory.
"In geology, the laboratory is outside," said Eugene Clark, who teaches AP environmental science and honors geology at Mountain View High School. He has been taking the geology and natural environmental trip to Costa Rica for the past five years.
The program allows teenagers to take college-level courses and earn college credit before they finish high school. And in the summer, for $1,600, they can get a hands-on education amid Costa Rica's lavish beaches and beautiful rain forests.
Clark emphasized hard work in the morning and play and time to enjoy the culture in the afternoons.
Each morning, the students awoke to a six-hour hike through mud and rain. Along the way, Clark stopped them for lectures about the different geological sites.
When they were done, the students — and 12 adult chaperones — got to play on zip lines and waterslides through the rain forest.
The expedition visited five different rain forests, Clark said. They also spent time studying active volcanoes.
The students even experienced volcanic rumblings while staying at the Smithsonian Lodge near the Arenal Volcano.
"In the night we would feel these rumbles (from the volcano) and you could hear it rumbling throughout the day," Anderson said.
The rumbling volcanoes caused some panic with some of the students, she said. The lodge was close to the volcano, and if it did erupt, they would be in danger.
At night, clouds glowed red, reflecting the lava inside the volcano.
"I've chosen Costa Rica because it is one of the most beautiful places on the Earth," Clark said. "Geologically and environmentally it is incredible, and it is very safe," he said.
Students also had an opportunity to participate in a service project, helping a rural school in Costa Rica.
"We were able to deliver a lot of school supplies and athletic equipment," Anderson said.
The equipment was donated by Zago, a Utah company.
The group helped prepare grounds for a basketball court that will be finished on Clark's next voyage.
E-mail: rhugh@desnews.com