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The Virginia Tech men’s soccer team has arrived in Costa Rica today for a 12-day trip that includes training, friendly matches, volunteer work with local children and nature restoration projects, exploring the local terrain and an opportunity for cultural immersion with the local population.

The trip includes friendly matches against the FC Select U20 team, Perez Zeledon of the Costa Rica First Division and the Costa Rica U20 national team, as well as many training opportunities.

“This trip is an incredible opportunity for us to submerge ourselves in a diverse and unique culture, grow as a team and really experience the wonderful things the country has to offer,” said head coach Mike Brizendine. “We’re going to to face some high-level competition on the trip and train at great facilities but we’re also just as excited to be able to give back by running a soccer clinic for the local children and also help in nature restoration projects.”

In addition to playing soccer, the team will participate in multiple community service events, including volunteering their time at the Tortuga Research Facility. Numerous species of Pacific Sea Turtles come ashore to lay their eggs from June to September and the team will have the opportunity to participate in a conservation program refurbishing nesting sites as well as beach and river clean up.

The team will also conduct a soccer clinic for the local English/Spanish grade school, Forlando Alas. For the last project, the team will attend a presentation by Amy Work of Geoporter before participating in a tree reforestation project within Ballena National Park.

The team will also go whitewater rafting in the Pacuare River, hike and explore the Arenal Volcano, venture into the rainforests to experience the Costa Rican wildlife and zip line through the mountains. Additionally, they will explore the Tarcoles River, where the largest American crocodiles in the world live, and spend time on Costa Rica's beaches.

The group will eat and interact with local shop owners and vendors each day of the trip, practicing Spanish and experiencing Costa Rican culture. The team will also receive surfing lessons in Dominicalito and conduct the soccer clinic for the local children on the 26th of May before returning to Blacksburg on the 27th.

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