Thanks for stepping up to be a Team Leader for your volunteer team.
The purpose of this Team Leader Guide is to give you info and resources that will help you in preparing the groundwork in forming a motivated, high-energy team open to all the learning and inspiration that can come with a service project. The more a team puts into building their sense of purpose and esprit de corps beforehand, the better the experience will be. Many of our volunteer projects involve hard work that requires volunteers to have some grit and persistence. Having said that, those very same challenging conditions encourage volunteers to reach down and find the good will and joy of service that bond them together and form lifelong memories and lasting friendships
Please pay special attention to the packing list, as it will help your team be better prepared for their volunteer experience.
Please pay special attention to the packing list, as it will help your team be better prepared for their volunteer experience.
Quick Navigation Menu
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Important Team Leader Responsibilities |
Health and Safety Information |
What to Pack
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Arrival/Departure Airport and Transport |
CCI Volunteer Facility Information |
Meals
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CCI Community Responsibilities |
Typical Daily Routine |
Important Team Leader Responsibilities
CCI uses WhatsApp for all on the ground logistics. Team leaders should have WhatsApp downloaded before the start of the project, the CCI project coordinator will create a group chat with all team leaders before the start of the project.
As a team leader you will be responsible for making sure that all forms for excursions and projects are completed by all volunteers in your group. There will be a daily team leader meeting with our project coordinator to discuss any camp responsibilities, forms, or project agendas that are necessary for the upcoming day. To put your team on our calendar please complete the volunteer team sign up form.
Once submitting you will receive your group's confirmation number which will be your team's main identifier.
Pre-Project Forms
All forms should be filled out at least one month before your project start date. This information will allow us to confirm and share with you the project plan for the trip.
Pre-Project and Flight Information Sheets
Once your team is recruited and you have your flight information, immediately complete the pre-project and flight information sheets.
These forms only need to be filled out by one individual on your team.
Pre-Project and Flight Information Sheets
Once your team is recruited and you have your flight information, immediately complete the pre-project and flight information sheets.
These forms only need to be filled out by one individual on your team.
Team Roster Submission
As you are preparing your team for your trip to Costa Rica there are a few steps that need to be taken to ensure that we are fully prepared for your arrival. Please fill out the team roster template linked to provide important information that will be used to organize housing and ensure that all volunteers have filled out the necessary paperwork. Please follow these steps to complete your roster submission:
- Open the roster template and make a copy to your personal drive Costa Rica Team Roster Template
- Once you have copied the template rename the file to reflect the CCI confirmation code you received after filling out the volunteer team sign up form.
Example CCI confirmation # Invoice/Confirmation#: 091523CCI-CR - Once your personal roster has been created please share the file with us by replying to the project confirmation email that you received from us with the linked document.
- Please then fill out all volunteer information for your team. Our housing is separated by male and female identifying individuals, if you or any team members would feel more comfortable in individual housing please select “other” on the roster and we will set up other accommodations.
- It is also important that each volunteer has filled out the volunteer agreement/emergency contact form. As a team leader it is your responsibility to track your team on the roster and make sure all members have filled out the form.
Health and Safety Information
Reference the CDC Traveler's Health Guide for Costa Rica for travel health notices, recommended vaccines and medications, as well as other travel tips.
Closest Medical Facility
Clínica de Especialidades Médicas San Gabriel
Calle 213, Contiguo al MegaSuper, Puerto Viejo, Limón Province
+506 2750 0848
Clínica de Especialidades Médicas San Gabriel
Calle 213, Contiguo al MegaSuper, Puerto Viejo, Limón Province
+506 2750 0848
Food and Beverage Safety
Food and water standards in Costa Rica are similar to those in the United States. Some caution will need to be taken when consuming water when sourced through wells or catchment.
CCI will provide clean water for all volunteers.
Food and water standards in Costa Rica are similar to those in the United States. Some caution will need to be taken when consuming water when sourced through wells or catchment.
CCI will provide clean water for all volunteers.
Prevent Bug Bites
Bugs (like mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas) can spread a number of diseases in Costa Rica. You can reduce
your risk by taking steps to prevent bug bites. Volunteers sleep in air-conditioned sleeping rooms with
closed windows.
CCI Volunteer recommendations:
What should I do if I am bitten by bugs?
Bugs (like mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas) can spread a number of diseases in Costa Rica. You can reduce
your risk by taking steps to prevent bug bites. Volunteers sleep in air-conditioned sleeping rooms with
closed windows.
CCI Volunteer recommendations:
- Cover exposed skin by wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and hats on projects.
- Use an appropriate insect repellent (see below).
What should I do if I am bitten by bugs?
- Avoid scratching bug bites and apply hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion to reduce the itching.
- Check your entire body for ticks after outdoor activity.
- Inform your CCI Volunteer Coordinator
Outdoor Projects Safety
All projects preceded by a Project Safety Session pointing out hazards and accident prevention procedures.
What to wear:
How to avoid heat related illnesses:
Heat-related illness, such as heat stroke, are a danger when working or recreating outside.
All projects preceded by a Project Safety Session pointing out hazards and accident prevention procedures.
What to wear:
- Closed toed shoes and long pants required for all outdoor projects
- Safety equipment such as dust masks, hard hats, and gloves will be provided as needed by your CCI coordinator
How to avoid heat related illnesses:
Heat-related illness, such as heat stroke, are a danger when working or recreating outside.
- Eat and drink regularly, wear loose and lightweight clothing, and limit physical activity during high temperatures.
- If you are outside for many hours in heat, eat salty snacks and drink water to stay hydrated and replace salt lost through sweating. Ample water is provided on all projects
Water Safety
Swim only in designated swimming areas. Obey lifeguards and warning flags on beaches.
Swim only in designated swimming areas. Obey lifeguards and warning flags on beaches.
- Do not dive in to shallow water
- Avoid swallowing water when swimming. Untreated water can carry germs that make you sick.
- To prevent infections, wear shoes on beaches where there may be animal waste
Animal Safety
Most animals avoid people, but they may attack if they feel threatened, are protecting their young or territory, or if they are injured or ill. Animal bites and scratches can lead to serious diseases such as rabies.
Follow these tips to protect yourself:
If you are bitten or scratched by an animal, immediately:
Most animals avoid people, but they may attack if they feel threatened, are protecting their young or territory, or if they are injured or ill. Animal bites and scratches can lead to serious diseases such as rabies.
Follow these tips to protect yourself:
- Do not touch or feed any animals you do not know.
- All animals can pose a threat, but be extra careful around dogs, bats, monkeys, sea animals such as jellyfish, and snakes.
- Wash the wound with soap and clean water
- Inform your CCI Volunteer Coordinator
If you are bitten or scratched by an animal, immediately:
- Wash the wound with soap and clean water
- Inform your CCI Volunteer Coordinator
Reduce your exposure to germs
Follow these tips to avoid getting sick or spreading illness to others while traveling:
Follow these tips to avoid getting sick or spreading illness to others while traveling:
- Wash your hands often, especially before eating.
- Don’t touch your eyes, nose, or mouth. If you need to touch your face, make sure your hands are clean.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.
- Try to avoid contact with people who are sick. Avoid sharing body fluids Diseases can be spread through body fluids, such as saliva, blood, vomit, and semen.
Transportation Safety
All transportation is provided by CCI Transportation Providers are certified for transportation of students in Costa Rica
Follow these tips while walking:
Remember, people on foot do not always have the right of way
All transportation is provided by CCI Transportation Providers are certified for transportation of students in Costa Rica
Follow these tips while walking:
- Be smart when you are traveling on foot.
- Use sidewalks and marked crosswalks.
- Pay attention to the traffic around you, especially in crowded areas.
Remember, people on foot do not always have the right of way
What to Pack
When packing for a trip, two old sayings hold true. First, lay out what you want to bring, then take half of that. The second, an adage of international journalists and inveterate business travelers, warns to take only as much as you could carry at a dead run for half a mile.
In other words, pack light. It’s amazing how much you think you might need, only to return home and find out that, not only did you not use the questionable items, but you also didn’t unpack half of what you considered indispensable. Three changes of clothing plus what you wear on the plane is more than enough. Put everything in a suitcase or backpack, and a daypack. (No oversized suitcases, please)
In other words, pack light. It’s amazing how much you think you might need, only to return home and find out that, not only did you not use the questionable items, but you also didn’t unpack half of what you considered indispensable. Three changes of clothing plus what you wear on the plane is more than enough. Put everything in a suitcase or backpack, and a daypack. (No oversized suitcases, please)
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A Passport
Clothing
Gear
Bathroom Bag
Protection and Health
Additional Items
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Tips
We encourage you to bring fast drying clothing. (Sweat pants & jeans take forever to dry). Remember, we are not going to the moon, you can pick up any forgotten items along the way.
The tropics are DAMP and hard on electronics. Leave laptops at home if possible.
We encourage you to bring fast drying clothing. (Sweat pants & jeans take forever to dry). Remember, we are not going to the moon, you can pick up any forgotten items along the way.
The tropics are DAMP and hard on electronics. Leave laptops at home if possible.
Arrival/Departure Airport and TransportationArrival Airport
Volunteer teams will be met by a Volunteer Coordinator at the Juan Santamaría International Airport. Transportation All transportation from the time we pick you up at the airport until we drop you off at the airport at the end of the project is provided. |
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CCI Volunteer Facility Information
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Your CCI Volunteer Facility will depend on what projects your team is working on. CCI guarantees:
Team members will be sharing living spaces and bunkrooms. If your team leaders or faculty would like their own separate accommodations, please notify CCI and your project coordinator before the start of your trip. |
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Meals
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All volunteers are provided breakfast, lunch, dinner throughout the week. We offer a vegetarian option at all meals and accommodate any dietary restrictions. Please indicate on your pre-project information sheet any special dietary needs.
Breakfast is continental style with bagels, breads, butter, cream cheese, peanut butter and jelly as well as a variety of cold and hot cereal plus fruit. Teams often carry their lunch with them to their volunteer project, unless provided by our project partner. After you have your breakfast, you’ll have a chance to make a brown bag lunch with a choice of turkey, cheese, tuna, or peanut butter and jelly sandwich with chips and fruit. Hot dinner is served each evening often consisting of the typical Costa Rican cuisine, rice and beans with a protein and salad. |
Note: If your team opts for a dinner out CCI will cover the transportation and logistics but will not be responsible for paying for the meal. Each Volunteer Team will alternate sending volunteers to help in the kitchen for meal preps and clean up.
CCI Community Responsibilities
Volunteers will be staying in a communal environment where collaboration and shared responsibility are key. Living and working together in this setting fosters a sense of community and teamwork. To ensure a comfortable and welcoming space for everyone, all volunteers will contribute to maintaining cleanliness and order. This includes regular chores such as tidying shared areas, managing waste, assisting in kitchen set-up and clean-up, and keeping personal spaces organized. By working together to uphold these standards, volunteers not only create a pleasant living environment but also strengthen the bonds of teamwork and mutual respect that are essential for a successful and enjoyable experience.
Kitchen Responsibilities:
To ensure that our communal kitchen runs smoothly, all volunteers are expected to participate in kitchen setup and cleanup duties throughout the week. Before meals, this involves assisting with setting up the dining area and preparing any food stations as needed. After meals, your responsibilities will include cleaning up the kitchen, washing dishes, wiping down surfaces, and properly disposing of waste. By sharing these tasks, we maintain a clean and organized environment and foster a sense of teamwork and responsibility among all volunteers. Your cooperation in these efforts is greatly appreciated and essential to the overall success of our communal living experience.
Communal Spaces:
Maintaining cleanliness in the bathrooms and communal spaces is crucial for everyone’s comfort and well-being. Volunteers are asked to actively participate in keeping these areas tidy by adhering to a regular cleaning schedule and promptly addressing any issues that arise. This includes ensuring that personal items are stored properly, surfaces are wiped down, and trash is disposed of correctly. By taking turns with cleaning duties and respecting shared spaces, we foster a pleasant and hygienic environment for all. Your cooperation in these efforts helps create a more enjoyable and respectful living situation, ensuring that everyone can contribute to and benefit from a clean and welcoming communal space.
To ensure that our communal kitchen runs smoothly, all volunteers are expected to participate in kitchen setup and cleanup duties throughout the week. Before meals, this involves assisting with setting up the dining area and preparing any food stations as needed. After meals, your responsibilities will include cleaning up the kitchen, washing dishes, wiping down surfaces, and properly disposing of waste. By sharing these tasks, we maintain a clean and organized environment and foster a sense of teamwork and responsibility among all volunteers. Your cooperation in these efforts is greatly appreciated and essential to the overall success of our communal living experience.
Communal Spaces:
Maintaining cleanliness in the bathrooms and communal spaces is crucial for everyone’s comfort and well-being. Volunteers are asked to actively participate in keeping these areas tidy by adhering to a regular cleaning schedule and promptly addressing any issues that arise. This includes ensuring that personal items are stored properly, surfaces are wiped down, and trash is disposed of correctly. By taking turns with cleaning duties and respecting shared spaces, we foster a pleasant and hygienic environment for all. Your cooperation in these efforts helps create a more enjoyable and respectful living situation, ensuring that everyone can contribute to and benefit from a clean and welcoming communal space.
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Important Note: Toilet Paper Disposal
In Costa Rica, it's important to note that most plumbing systems are not designed to handle toilet paper. To prevent blockages and ensure the smooth functioning of the facilities, please refrain from flushing toilet paper down the toilets. Instead, use the provided waste bins for disposing of toilet paper and other non-flushable items. |
Typical Daily Routine and Project Plan
Take a look at a typical Costa Project Plan here. |
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