MEEKER | “I figured if I could go again and help, why not? I love helping,” said senior Alex Garcia, who has traveled on Meeker High School’s ecology trip not once, but twice. “My interest for the earth has increased, and these trips have shown me what I can do to better the earth.”
For nine days in early June, 20 students from Meeker High School traded classroom walls for the dense rainforests of Costa Rica, where they studied biodiversity, conducted field research and immersed themselves in a new culture as part of the school’s biennial ecology trip.
The trips are organized through Ecology Project International (EPI), a nonprofit that partners with schools and conservation groups across the globe. Meeker High School has partnered with EPI for nearly 20 years, beginning when Dr. Bob Dorsett launched the program in 2008. Current school board member Ann Franklin took over organizing the trips in 2018.
“We were going to go to the Galápagos in 2020 and weren’t able to go until 2021,” Franklin said. “EPI takes students to Costa Rica, the Galápagos Islands, Belize, Baja, and even here in the U.S., to Yellowstone National Park. I’ve looked around and can’t find a better program out there.”
Franklin said the primary goal of the trip is to get students outside of their daily routines and into hands-on learning environments.
“The main objective is to get students into the environment to learn about biological principles, how to conduct actual scientific research, and to expand their understanding of the world,” she said. “It’s also about learning new cultures and getting out of their comfort zones.”
This year’s group included four chaperones and a mix of students—some first-timers and others returning for a second experience. One of those returners was graduated senior Sam Hightower, who previously went to Belize as a sophomore. Hightower explained what he learned on their recent trip to Costa Rica that has stuck to him the most.
“I learned a lot about the country’s culture and history that I found really interesting,” Hightower said. “I learned what is economically good and bad for the people of Costa Rica, what life is like there—especially for a high schooler—and how important protecting the environment is not only in Costa Rica, but everywhere.”
Incoming senior Braydin Raley, who attended for the first time, said her decision to go was rooted in a desire to experience another culture and environment.
“I wanted to get out of the country and experience a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Raley said. “Diving into another country’s culture and being immersed in it was definitely a key factor. But the sea turtle censuses were the most intriguing. I hope that during my senior year I’m able to take it all in and enjoy the moments—just like I did in Costa Rica.”
The group traveled to the Pacuare Reserve, a remote 2,500-acre rainforest located on Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast. Accessible only by boat, the reserve includes six kilometers of beach and is home to a diverse range of species. Franklin described it as an ideal location to practice field techniques and observe Costa Rica’s biodiversity firsthand.
Incoming senior Augie Halstead said one moment in particular left a lasting impact.
“Watching huge leatherback sea turtles nest under the stars in Costa Rica was definitely unforgettable,” Halstead said. “It was also concerning—the turtles are endangered and threatened by pollution and climate change. Working alongside local researchers, we saw how much effort goes into protecting a single species and how connected an entire ecosystem is. I would definitely recommend this trip. It opened my eyes to how people around the world live differently.”
Beyond the scientific research, students participated in a cultural exchange with Costa Rican high schoolers. The two groups danced, shared traditions, and toured a local school campus that included a working farm and greenhouse. Meeker students even taught choreography from their school’s production of Footloose.
“For many of our students, that was a favorite part of the experience,” Franklin said.
Chaperone Curtis Keetch agreed. One of his proudest moments came during the cultural exchange.
“Several of our kids were in the play,” Keetch said. “The way they participated, interacted and showed appreciation to the local school for hosting us made the chaperones smile with pride. This entire community should be proud of the caliber of young adults we’ve raised here.”
The trip cost nearly $5,000 per student, but thanks to community support and fundraising, the group raised approximately $48,000. Contributions came from the Freeman Fairfield Foundation, the Lions Club, Meeker Regional Library, the Historical Society and local businesses like Smoking River Brewery.
“I always commit to helping students raise at least half of what they need,” Franklin said. “It really takes a village.”
Junior Morgan Keetch, who will be a senior this fall, said the trip gave her a new perspective—both personally and academically.
“Many people aren’t as lucky as we are,” she said. “We often take things for granted, while others see those same things as luxuries. Traveling to Costa Rica sparked my passion for exploring new places. Being out in nature is such an incredible environment.”
Students are eligible to attend once they’ve completed at least one biology class. Interest remains high—this year’s trip filled up within five days.
Chaperone and former first grade teacher at Meeker Elementary School Nancy Richardson said the experience offers students a type of learning they can’t get in a classroom.
“These ecology trips have lasting impressions and world views that they could never get just being in a classroom,” Richardson said. “To actually experience and see firsthand how others live—that’s impactful.”
For some, the trip has helped solidify college or career goals. Graduated senior Adi Selle, who also attended the Belize trip as a sophomore, plans to study hospitality management and tourism at Grand Canyon University this coming fall.
“I absolutely love to travel and help spread awareness,” Selle said. “By exploring different cultures and learning about other people, not only am I educating myself but also educating others. These trips made me enjoy life more. It’s the little things we take for granted—like running water—that make me realize how incredible this life is.”
For Franklin, the most rewarding part of organizing these trips is watching students thrive in nature—often without the distractions of technology.
“Every trip I’ve led, the best part has been watching students thrive in nature without their phones,” she said. “They come back with lifetime memories—and often, a new love of learning.”
As the students returned home—muddy boots packed away, cameras full of rainforest snapshots, and minds buzzing with memories—they carried more than just souvenirs. For many, the trip was a turning point: a reminder of the power of curiosity, the value of connection, and the impact young people can have when they engage with the world around them.
