Cole's Costa Rica Exchange Program

Hi.  I'm Cole Barton.

I am 13 years old and my parents seem to think I'm a poster child for "teen-ness".  I am in 8th grade.  I play the baritone saxophone and guitar.  I love to snowboard.  I love hanging out with my friends, and I love adventure. 

I was offered an opportunity to participate with a direct exchange program through my Spanish class this year.  The company, Costa Rican Explorations, provides opportunities for kids like me to host a kid like me from Costa Rica for two weeks and show them how I live and practice speaking English.   Then, I get to go live with that kid's family in Costa Rica for two weeks and practice Spanish.  We both get to do the fun stuff each place offers along with a service project and exposure to each other's schools, family and friends, and extracurricular activities.

I told my mom and dad that I really wanted to do this program.  I broke 4 bones last year in 8 months and my parents have been paying a lot of medical bills so I knew it was going to be hard to pay for this experience.  I told them I would work and pay for half of it and the other half was all I wanted for Christmas.  I didn't care if I had any presents under the tree.  I got some presents and my parents are supporting me to do this dream.  I'm super excited, but we still need to come up with a lot of money!

I am for hire for any odd jobs you may have.  I love kids and I am a great babysitter (as long as the kids are potty trained).  I could also be a "companion" on the ski hill if you can't make it to PCMR or the Canyons with your young one.  I'm pretty smart with technology.  I could shovel snow if we ever get any.  I could pull weeds in the summer and mow lawns.  I can help and you would be helping me by paying me for my services.  It would help my family so much to get me to Costa Rica.

I need to raise this money by March 15th if possible.  Thank you for thinking of me.  I'm ready, willing and able!