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HEALTH & SAFETY
Our Top Priority.
The health, safety, and well-being of all participating students, families, coaches, and staff on all Beyond Sports programs is a top priority for the organization on every level. Beyond Sports is committed to providing clear and comprehensive risk management support, infrastructure, policies, and procedures regarding all health and safety matters for any program participant, whether traveling individually or as part of a collective group.
We ensure a proactive approach to the safety and security of all participants during the pre-departure, on-site experience, and re-entry phases of each program:
Program Staff & On-Site Support
Program Staff & On-Site Support
All program staff are trained to provide effective and rapid responses in any emergency situation that could arise in Costa Rica. Our four areas of staff training include health & safety, water safety, mental & emotional health, and sexual harassment prevention. We maintain a 6:1 student-staff ratio through the GLASS program. Our local staff have emergency cell phones with them at all times, and our U.S. staff monitors a 24/7 phone line. Several staff also speak Spanish and are very comfortable navigating Costa Rica as they are full-time residents.
Emergency Services
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Beyond Sports has a 24-hour, 7-days-a-week, 365-days-a-year emergency phone line for students, parents and families, coaches, and administrators. Emergency phone number: 1-347-746-3814
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Prior to departure, GLASS participants will be given a pre-departure guide with emergency contact information including local hospital information.
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All local staff are required to complete emergency response preparedness training programs which include visits to the hospitals and health clinics in the area.
International Health Insurance
Beyond Sports provides extensive blanket international health insurance coverages to all individual program participants through our partnership with CISI Travel Insurance: https://www.culturalinsurance.com/. Students are automatically enrolled in this insurance plan unless they indicate that they will be utilizing pre-existing coverage. Sports-related injuries are also covered through CISI Insurance.
International Travel
Our staff thoroughly prepares our students for the international travel component of GLASS. Prior to departure, each student will receive:
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A detailed pre-departure guide that includes a full explanation of travel day logistics
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A GLASS swag pack, which includes a t-shirt to be worn on travel day
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Access to a private group message where they can quickly communicate with their GLASSmates and Mentors
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Direct contact information for the program director and our international travel coordinator
GLASS is a first-time international experience for many of our students. Ensuring that all students are ready for travel is a high priority. Our staff is readily available to speak with students and families prior to their GLASS session to answer any international travel questions.
Program Orientation
Upon arrival, all GLASS students will participate in a program orientation. Our orientation covers expectations, health & safety protocols, and our Student Code of Conduct. All students will be required to sign our Student Code of Conduct when registering for a GLASS program. This document is in place to ensure the safety and well-being of our students, staff, and community members.