Surf & Service

Join Us for Surf & Service

June Surf & Service provides a comprehensive experience beyond academics and adventure by incorporating community service initiatives for rising 8th-12th graders. Students and staff dedicate 6-8 hours per week to meaningful projects, collaborating with organizations like Costas Verdes for tree planting, participating in beach clean-ups through, and contributing to Nosara Civic Association initiatives. Additionally, they will work with other Amigos of Costa Rica partners in the Nosara area. 

In addition to surfing 8-9 times per week, students devote 3 hours per week to conversational Spanish lessons.

The 2025 “Surf and Service” event will run from June 14 – 28, 2025.

surf school nosara

Two Week Option: Only 16 spots available

June 14-28, 2025

  • Rising 8th to 12th Graders

  • 17 Coached Surf Sessions at Playa Guiones

  • 12 hours Community Service

  • 8 hours Leadership Course

  • 6 hours Spanish Lessons

  • 14 Nights at Casa Dos Mares

$6450 per student

Application Process

Families will create a parent dashboard. This dashboard will allow you to review additional information and request to enroll your child in a program. Each child will require a separate application.

Sample Schedule

surfing summer

Our campus is located at Casa Dos Mares in Playa Pelada of Nosara, Costa Rica. Playa Pelada is a 6-minute walk on the NCA jungle trail from the beaches, shops and restaurants of Guiones, and a 3-minute walk to the sand in Playa Pelada, right by the famous La Luna restaurant.

In stark contrast to the standard American experience, this lush jungle wonderland moves at a slower pace and with singular purpose: Pura Vida — pure & simple living.

Where is Surf & Service?

We understand that you may have questions about sending your child on this epic adventure. Click the request info button below to be contacted by a team member via email with more information. If you have more immediate questions, please call Jamie Matthews at 512-422-2274.

Let’s Talk

Frequently Asked Questions about Surf & Service

  • No, cell phones and other devices are not allowed. The most important thing we do at any of our Discover Term programs is build meaningful relationships. Cell phones, smart phones, tablets, and other electronic devices are a major distraction from doing this.

  • Discover Term does not provide consistent or unplanned access to teachers, tutors, therapists etc. during their programs. If necessary, some arrangements can be made, ahead of time, to support unique needs of students so long as they do not conflict with the experience of other students or staff schedules.

  • Melissa Ruder is our on-site Director for June Surf and Service. She has spent the last two decades as a Spanish teacher and coach for all ages in school districts in Tennessee and Wisconsin. Melissa joined the team during last year’s Surf and Service, and has 3 kids of her own who have attended the last 3 Discover Terms in Colorado and Costa Rica. During the school year Melissa serves as the Verona Area School District Employee Wellness Team Leader, in addition to coaching track, cross-country, and triathlon for their middle and high school teams. Melissa has also led student trips in Ecuador in addition to traveling and studying abroad in Spain and Mexico.     

    Mary Clare Matthews and Jamie Matthews will also be joining Melissa and the group for the duration of the June program. They will be leveraging their experience from the first 8 Discover Term programs (4 in Durango and 4 in Costa Rica), in addition to their 30+ years combined experience coaching youth and middle school sports. Both also survived the teenage years with their son and 2 daughters with only a few mental and physical scars.

  • No, you do not need any surf experience. Yes, you should be physically fit to spend a few hours each day surfing. In order to come prepared, the child should be spending at least 30 minutes per day in rigorous activity for a month leading up to Surf & Service.

    Surf & Service participants must come with their own swim gear and ocean apparel that is detailed in the student packing list they receive before attending. Surf & Service will provide access to an appropriately sized surfboard.

  • We want to help everyone say “Yes!” who is excited about an adventure like this. We strongly believe that these experiences should be accessible to as many families as possible.  

    If you have questions about receiving a scholarship or financial assistance to attend Surf & Service, please reach out to Jamie Matthews at 512-422-2274.

  • Full tuition is due upon a student’s acceptance to Discover Term, in order to reserve their spot for the upcoming program/term. 50% of this tuition is non-refundable. 50% of this tuition is refundable up to 60 days before the start of the program begins. There are no refunds within 60 days of the start of the program. We encourage you to purchase travel insurance to cover any emergency travel or loss of funds due to injury.