Santuario Gamba Gam, at La Gamba Community, near Golfito, Costa Rica. Permaculture Design Course / Tropical Forest Wildlife Preserve February 29 – March 14, 2016

$1525

CLASS LIMIT: 30 / CLASS FILLS UP FAST.

Enjoy your permaculture studies at this off-grid privately owned wildlife preserve located near the small agricultural village of La Gamba of Puntarenas. This small village is appreciated for its rich culture and natural beauty, and is located not far from the Golfito Beach and from Piedras Blancas National Park. Gamba Gam Sanctuary is located at the Biological Corridor of COBIGA (Corredor Biologico La Gamba) and ACOSA (Area de Conservacion de Osa).

Learn and practice permaculture at the sanctuary’s bio-intensive gardens and 20-hectares protected rainforest, enjoy the abundance of this location with its young tropical orchard fruit garden, native edible and medicinal plant nursery, water management systems, soil building projects, community activism and much more.

Students participate in daily activities at the sanctuary, helping with gardening, harvest, and erosion control projects and receive their internationally recognized Permaculture Design Certificate.  Course syllabus is found here. Email us with questions here.

Course material is universal to every ecosystem, and knowledge acquired in this class is easily applied in other locations and settings. Participants of a wide range of ages and backgrounds are attracted to this class, making it a rich and life-changing experience for everyone.

Participants are involved with a seasonal homestead activities, including participation in Turmeric harvest. Additionally, participants work with erosion control and earth-shaping, soil fertility building and participate in the multitude of ongoing daily activities of this busy tropical learning center. Life at the Gamba Gam is exuberant, with daily visitations from monkeys, tayras, deers, birds and reptiles.

DATES: Course: February 29 – March 14, 2016

Due to travel distances and timing, we recommend the following sequence: arrive to San Jose, Costa Rica on or before Saturday, February 27 – travel via chartered tourist van and arrive to class location afternoon Sunday, February 28. Class ends on late on Monday, March 14, travel back to San Jose Tuesday, March 15 arriving around 4pm. You can also travel via public bus to Golfito (Tracopa Bus Company) – and we will arrange pick up from the bus station.

Spend a night at the reasonable and lovely Hotel Aranjuez,(reservations required, this is high season!) or at Margarita’s Guest House. We arrange tourist van door-to-door transportation, or you can opt out and travel on your own.

TRAVEL/ BUDGETING: See recommended dates above. Hotel is $30-55/night, chartered van is $55.

Email us with questions about planning your attendance!

LOCATION: The course is hosted at the Santuario Gamba Gam, a private biodiversity sanctuary located near the small agricultural village of La Gamba of Puntarenas. This small village is appreciated for its rich culture and natural beauty, and is located not far from the Golfito Beach and from Piedras Blancas National Park. The town of Golfitos offers emergency access to banks, clinics and other amenities. Gamba Gam is off-grid,there is no internet access at the Gamba Gam. If you need to be online for work during this course, please contact us to discuss your needs in advance.

ACCOMMODATIONS:

tCamping (with your own camping gear) is included in the cost of this class. If transporting camping gear via air is problematic, buying it in the country is an option.
tSimple safari tents, hidden in the forest, are available for rent. Linens and bedding provided.

CLASS LOGISTICS: Costa Rica is a wonderful place to visit in the winter! The weather is hot during most days, with mild nights and mornings. An occasional rain is possible. Beautiful settings offer ample spaces for indoor and outdoor learning and being. Beach is 8 km away.

Permaculture classes are held for six hours every day. There is ample midday siesta time to allow for reading, garden work, and rest. There are two days off in the middle of the class (March 5&6); no formal meals are offered on the days off but there will be basic foodstuffs and pizza nights. There are multiple local attractions to visit, and there will be simple food provided to participants on the days off.

There are evening gatherings, inspirational movies and conversation time. This course is attended by adult participants of all ages. Please contact us if potential participant is younger than 18.

FOOD:

Three ample meals are included in the course fee and are offered on all class days. There are no meals on the days off. Poultry and fish are served, and course participants are included in harvest and garden work. Reasonable accommodation for food allergies can be made, but please contact us in advance.

INSTRUCTORS:

Scott Pittman and Durga with guests. Read about Scott and Durga here.

Your payment + essay are your registration. Course non-refundable deposit of $300 secures your space in class. Full payment is due one month before class starts. QUESTIONS? Contact Arina for helpplanning your course attendance.
Optional Stay for a Volunteer Program:
The farm offers Volunteer Stay programs and welcomes course participants to use this opportunity join the farm in their day-to-day living activities. To speak about this stay, contact the Santuario Team directly santuariogambagam at gmail.com or visit their facebook page.