Lulu's volunteering trip to Costa Rica - Girlguiding NW

Hi, I'm Lulu, I'm a 17-year old Ranger and Brownie young leader.

I have recently been selected to travel to Costa Rica during summer 2025 with 15 other girls and 4 leaders from Girlguiding North West England. On this exciting trip, we will be spending a week volunteering at an animal sanctuary, which helps injured sloths and wild birds, as well as having the chance to explore Manuel Antonio National Park and San Jose.

I'm so grateful to have been selected for this once in a lifetime experience, and I'm looking forward to making a difference to the wildlife of such a beautiful country. In addition to this, I feel that a trip like this will help my personal growth and independence as a young woman.

Additionally, we have been encouraged to take part in the "Journey to Zero" initiative, by finding ways to offset carbon emissions produced by our trip in our everyday lives, and to make the trip as sustainable as possible. For example, our trip uniform will be upcycled second-hand clothing, and we intend to borrow some of the necessary kit from girls who have been on trips in previous years.

I have been fundraising towards the cost of my trip, including selling homemade bracelets, taking part in charity events, and by selling unwanted items. Any donations towards my trip, no matter the size, would be greatly appreciated, and will go directly towards the costs of the trip, such as food, accommodation, travel, and kit. Thank you :)