Borough wide
Outward bound!
Flip those fins for local teen Isabella Roussel.
The adventurous teen completed a summer expedition to Panama with Outward Bound Costa Rica. The 14-day course taught the intrepid diver how to scuba dive in coral reefs and protect the endangered sea turtles.
She also had the opportunity to explore the culture and wildlife of Costa Rica.
“My best memory was working with the baby turtles because it made me feel like I was making a difference,” Isabella said.
Along with other teens, Isabella travelled to the island of Solarte in the Bocas del Toro Archipelago in Panama. While there she completed and passed the National Association of Underwater Instructors Open Water Certification training, and is now a certified scuba diver.
Isabella and her group also participated in a once-in-a-lifetime night dive through the bioluminescent waters surrounding the mangrove islands. The course also included a multi-day service project at San San Pond Sak, wetlands located on the Caribbean coast of Panama.
Outward Bound Costa Rica’s programs are awesome, said Jim Rowe, executive director.
“They create environments that allow for personal and leadership development through challenges, group effort and cross-cultural understanding,” he said.
The organization, founded in 1991, provides adventure-based wilderness experiences and activities, including backpacking, rafting, kayaking, surfing, rappelling, and scuba diving, as well as cultural experiences such as homestays with local families.
Standing O says, “Welcome back, and thank you for the turtles.”
