New 'Growing Together' Volunteer Program Inspires Civic Spirit Among Guests and Incentive Groups at Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica

GUANACASTE, Costa Rica, July 21 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Whatever else you bring along to Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica, don't forget to pack your civic spirit -- and your heart of gold. The Resort recently joined in partnership with its corporate ownership group, Peninsula Papagayo, to provide guests and incentive groups with opportunities to spread good will and good works through the region it calls home.  Though newly available to resort guests, Growing Together was actually launched ahead of its time in 2001 by Peninsula Papagayo.

The new program, Growing Together, presents guests with custom-designed volunteer experiences: from supporting local schools and environmental conservation  efforts to donating backpacks filled with school supplies and even "adopting" local families during their stay. While Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica has long assisted in arranging philanthropic opportunities for guests hoping to take their travel to a more meaningful level, Growing Together takes the process further with convenience and considerations for volunteers to better aid local beneficiaries.

Getting Growing

The  Growing Together resort program was introduced in January at an annual Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts  Incentive Partner Summit, an annual conference for incentive meeting planners to advise Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts  on  the state of the incentive industry. Summit delegates put talk into action at the Tablazo School in nearby Sardinal, a town of 30 households including a number of resort employees.

Six-dozen Summit delegates boarded buses for the 50-minute drive to the Tablazo School, which counts 55 students from kindergarten through sixth grade. Incentive planners and Four Seasons employees spent the better part of the day painting the school and putting up a fence, efforts that proved so rewarding the volunteers were moved to launch a fund to raise money for new desks and chairs for the school.

Guests Take the Lead

Volunteer experiences are customized by the resort based upon each individual's goals, budget and time.

Philanthropic possibilities include:

• Become a Backpack Buddy
• School Outreach Programs
• Conservation Programs
• Family Care

All guests can  join the Growing Together effort upon arrival at Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica. Pre-advance booking is required for individual or family travelers as there is limited availability. Group clients can contact their conference service representative.  For more on Growing Together visit www.fourseasons.com/costarica/growing_together_volunteer_programme/.

SOURCE Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica