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 Nature Kids is a non-profit organization supported by the Costa Rican airline Nature Air, dedicated to working with low-income families to help develop the tools they need for self-reliant futures. Through English language and community education programs, Nature Kids collaborates with families to bring viable and affordable education to communities throughout Costa Rica.
History
The Nature Kids Foundation began in 2002 with one school house in Salitral de Santa Ana, founded by Mercedes Cerna and Nature Air. The Foundation works with over 200 families, serving individuals from the ages of 5 through 65 years of age. Nature Kids is a communication-based English course with two curricula: one for children K-12, and the other for teenagers and adults. Students are orally assessed each month and given progress reports.
 In 2006 Nature Kids opened their second school house in Drake Bay de Puntarenas, chosen because of its geographical location and the need for English education due to its popularity as a tourist destination. In 2007 they began the English on Horseback Program in Los Planes of Drake Bay de Puntarenas, to bring viable English courses to the surrounding communities of Drake Bay which would otherwise be unable to receive English language courses. In 2008 Nature Kids teamed up with The Corcovado Foundation and expanded the English on Horseback Program to the community of El Progresso. The Corcovado Foundation provides training in tourism, hospitality, and environmental protection and specializes in sea turtle refuge programs. By removing the language barrier and providing training in tourism, this program allows locals to have access to the tourist market with an incentive to protect these ancient creatures.
Community Service and Environmental Education:
 * Students take field trips through the jungle of Corcovado Park to become aware of the precious resources surrounding their community.
* Each school house has recycling bins in the school so students can learn the importance of recycling and how to separate their garbage.
* Nature Kids holds annual tree planting activities in Salitral.
Future Goals
Each year Nature Kids strives to open a new program. By 2009 they would like to open a third school house in the area of Nosara in the Nicoya Peninsula or Puerto Jimenez in the Osa Peninsula. In addition they are collaborating with Rainforest Alliance and UNESCO to bring an environmental training workshop to the local teachers and community directors of Salitral.
To learn more about Nature Kids, visit their website, www.naturekids.org
To make a donation to the NatureKids program, click here:
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