Juniper Flats Outdoor Education Center

Hello everyone!

We’re thrilled to share details about our Costa Rica lodge trip through Juniper Flats, July 30 – August 4! We could not be more excited about the destination and the incredible people who make it so special.

The Lodge
Rios Lodge is extraordinary—not just as a destination, but in its mission and impact. The lodge employs almost exclusively local community members, supporting over 25 local families. All services and contractors are local, and the lodge is a major force in conservation and restoration efforts in Costa Rica.

The founder played a key role in saving the Pacuare River from being dammed and has purchased large tracts of forest for preservation. Rios also collaborates with adjacent land users, including Costa Rica’s largest Indigenous preserve, to expand conservation initiatives.

The lodge itself is authentic, immersive, and free from the usual touristy feel. It’s accessible only by raft or hike— making the experience truly remote and magical.

The Experience
Once you arrive, the pace is entirely up to you. Activities are guided by local staff and included in your stay—no add-ons required. The Rios experience is adventurous, restorative, and deeply connected to place. Options include:

Ziplining high in the jungle canopy across the Pacuare Gorge

Waterfall and canyon hikes

Whitewater rafting and tubing directly from the lodge

Swimming in creeks, pools, or the river

Jungle and night hikes for wildlife viewing

Birding—or simply relaxing in covered spaces with stunning jungle and river views

Conservation and restoration project tours (hands-on participation optional)

Why This Is Easy (and a Great Value!)

Rios Lodge makes this a truly plug-and-play experience. I personally fit this trip in at the last minute and it could not have been easier. You only need to arrange your airfare to San Jose—everything else is handled:

Airport pickup and lodging in San Jose on arrival day (July 30)

Transport to the river the following morning (July 31)

Raft-in or hike-in access to the lodge

All food, lodging, and activities at the lodge (July 31 – Aug. 3)

Raft-out (amazing Pacuare River Gorge whitewater!) or hike-out on day of lodge departure (Aug. 4)

Transport back to San Jose, and lodging (Aug. 4) (departing San Jose Aug. 5)

Schedule & Pricing

4 nights at Rios Lodge (July 31 – Aug. 3)

1 night in San Jose before, and 1 night after lodge stay (July 30 / Aug. 4)

All food, activities, and ground transportation included (including airport ↔ San Jose lodging)

Pricing:

Shared Eco-Lodge room (4 people, shared bath-house): $1,375/person

Double occupancy deluxe room (private bath): $1,825/person

Family suites available for an additional fee (We can provide detailed pricing for these options, once we know this is your preference.)

These prices include everything except airfare to San Jose. For what’s included, it’s an exceptional value—significantly below typical rates thanks to our partnership with Rios Lodge. The eco-lodge rooms rarely fill to capacity, so you may share with one or two others, or reserve an entire room for your group.

Other Notes
Again, all food is included during your stay at the Rios Lodge, and they handle dietary needs exceptionally well (with alcohol available for purchase).

We expect around 12 or so guests to join us (David & Kendra) for this trip and would love to firm up our list soon.

Important Next Steps

Take a look at the lodge here: rioslodge.com

Deposit & Payment
A 30% deposit is required ASAP to secure your spot.

Deposits are refundable minus a $150 administrative fee if you cancel before April 21.

The full remaining balance is DUE April 21.

Refund Policy
After April 21, we are unable to provide refunds for any portion of payment due to our financial commitments to Ríos Lodge and international logistics.

Juniper Flats' Cancellation
If for any reason we must cancel the trip, 100% of all payments will be refunded.

Please let us know:

Any questions you have

Your guest count and accommodation preferences

We’re excited to further discuss plans and answer any questions for those interested in joining! To pay your deposit and secure your spot click HERE

We can’t wait to share this amazing place with you this summer, and beyond! Pura Vida!

David & Kendra

-Juniper Flats Outdoor Education Center

Rios Lodge Award-winning Costa Rica EcoLodge on Pacuare River Costa Rica's best ecolodge and jungle resort, Rios Lodge on the Pacuare River offers incredible ecotourism, formerly Rios Tropicales Lodge.

Check it out! AVM dates are NOW LIVE!
Use this code for 25% AVM courses this weekend only!
(Code NOT applicable to NOLS course registration)

Juniper Flats Outdoor Education Center - Class Registration - Booking by Bookwhen Juniper Flats Outdoor Education offers training in wilderness medicine, Leave No Trace, outdoor skills and ecology. We are also excited to host Adventure Vet Med's K9-WFA training!

Please join us & NOLS in supporting relief efforts for our friends, colleagues, and fellow human beings in North Carolina. Links in NOLS' original post. Thank you for doing what you can; every little bit does help.

We are heartbroken by the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene in the Southeast and want to share some resources to help those affected communities.

The American Canoe Association has compiled a list of donation funds to directly support relief efforts in Western North Carolina. Donations to this fund directly support relief efforts, including food, water, and shelter in the Asheville area. You can find this link here: https://americancanoe.org/hurricane-helene-relief/

We also encourage donations to The Landmark Foundation, which is affiliated with Landmark Learning, a partner of NOLS. The Landmark Foundation provides full scholarships to relief workers and students directly impacted by the hurricane. This will directly assist those who cannot afford the courses they need for their livelihoods. Click here to donate to The Landmark Foundation: https://www.thelandmarkfoundation.org/

Additionally, our friends at Landmark Learning are offering water, showers, and community services to those in need. Their Downstream Campus in Sylva, NC, is open and ready to assist. Check out their socials for more information.

Thank you for your support during this challenging time.

Hey look! It's our classroom! :-) It may be too hot to be in class out here at the moment, but Summer School is in session! ;)

AND-
September and October courses, including K9-WFA, registering now!
We look forward to seeing you all when the days begin to shorten...

Introducing SUMMER SCHOOL!

It's the DOG DAYS of SUMMER! ...so what better time to learn some critical nuggets for keeping YOUR special "nugget" safe while out enjoying the hottest days of the season!

Installment #1 - inspired by the recent warnings issued. Sadly it's that time of year. Blue-green algae blooms are most common in the summer and fall months. It can be tricky to know for sure, so at the very least ALWAYS know where your dog is and what they are (or could be!) getting into, and ALWAYS give bodies of water, including the shoreline, a good long look before allowing them to drink or play in it. And as always, know your dog's normal and monitor them closely during and after any outdoor adventures!

If in doubt, just keep them out!

More resources regarding blue-green algae available here: https://www.cdc.gov/harmful-algal-blooms/about/how-to-recognize-a-harmful-algal-bloom.html

Registration now open for our upcoming AVM K9-WFA course! Grab your spot today!
Remember - we offer a Juniper Flats NOLS Alumni discount. Inquire today for your discount code if you've taken a NOLS course with us in the past!

Registration now open! Grab your spot today!

Medical Professionals! Up your game! Are you always the one on your rec trips who folks turn to when someone gets hurt or sick?
Want to improve your comfort with responding outside of the comforts of your clinical setting?
Come earn continuing education or FAWM credit while building on your unique skillset, at Juniper Flats Outdoor Education Center, in Bend, OR.
Seats are filling fast! Secure your spot today!
*edited to add: the photo "blocked for graphic content" is the same as in the general course flier posted previously, but with WUMP (Medical Professional) course-specific details. Image is of two rescuers (Mock rescue) practicing rendering aid to a patient with visible fake blood on their abdomen, in a rock climbing environment.
okey doke. These folks (AI) would NOT be able to handle our courses, lol! ;)

Even with expanded enrollment, courses are filling fast!!! Grab your spot today!
(Registration for the HYBRID WFR is completed directly through NOLS; for all other sections, register with us on Bookwhen, links below!)

Anyone in our Bend community able to help out tomorrow?

Are you a NOLS Wilderness Medicine graduate? Adventure Vet Med is offering NOLS Wild Med grads a 20% discount on the K9 WFA! Enrolling now! Email us for your discount code and sign up today!

A great group of WFA students enjoyed the last of the (sweltering!) summer temps last weekend! The upcoming recert and WUMP are looking to be a wee bit chillier! (But we are ready with heaters, blankets, and of course, HOT DRINKS!) :)

Check it out! AVM is offering a fall K9 WFA here at Juniper Flats! Always a big hit, come out for a fun weekend packed with hands-on learning in our unique high desert landscape.
Spread the word, and grab YOUR spot today!

Juniper Flats Outdoor Education Center Juniper Flats hosts certifications and workshops in Wilderness Medicine, Veterinary Wild Med