SOFTBALL
LEADERSHIP ACADEMY
Costa Rica | Summer 2027
FOR LEADERS IN HIGH SCHOOL SOFTBALL
Lead Beyond the Game
The Softball Leadership Academy (SLA) is a 10-day summer experience designed specifically for high school softball players.
Develop the confidence, character, and leadership skills to make an impact on your team, in your community, and wherever life takes you. At SLA, you'll put leadership into action every day. Through interactive leadership workshops, softball training, mentorship from accomplished college athletes, and meaningful community service––you'll learn how to find your voice, take initiative, and bring out the best in those around you.
Whether you're working toward becoming a team captain, preparing for college softball, or simply looking to become a stronger player and teammate, SLA will give you the tools and experiences to take your next step.
For high school softball athletes––graduating classes of 2027 to 2030.
Early Bird Discount Deadline:
December 15, 2026 –– $300 Off
Program Components
Leadership Workshops
Unlock your unique leadership style through six interactive, Mentor-led leadership workshops.
Softball
Training
Work toward your sport goals through five high-intensity softball-specific training sessions.
Service-Learning
Activities
Apply your leadership skills in real-time through four to six hours of service with local community partners.
Culturally-Immersive Excursions
Explore Costa Rica—from rainforest zip lining to surfing, and sunset catamaran sails.
Program Details
Costa Rica | San Jose, La Fortuna, & Tamarindo
Per Person Cost
$3,695
Scholarship and fundraising resources are available. Please contact our team for more details.
Included
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Nine nights hotel accommodations (three nights in San Jose, three nights in La Fortuna, and three nights in Tamarindo)
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Three meals, daily
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All transportation while in Costa Rica
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Six leadership workshops
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Five softball training sessions
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Four to six service-learning hours
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All excursions outlined in the itinerary below
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Beyond Sports t-shirt and journal
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International health insurance
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24/7 Staff supervision (6:1 student-to-staff ratio)
Session Dates
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Session #1: July 27 - Aug 5, 2027
Eligibility
This is an invitation-only program. We enroll established and emerging leaders in high school girls softball–– graduating classes of 2027 to 2030.
If you have not yet received an email invitation, please click Recruit Me below.
Capacity
All Leadership Academy sessions are capped at 32 students per session. Spots are filled on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Accommodations
All overnights are in 3- or 4-star accommodations. Participants will share a room with another traveler, however, every participant will have their own bed.
Payment
A $250 deposit is required to reserve your spot. Additional payments will be paid in a series of installments:
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Due at Registration - $250
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March 15th - 50% of Remaining Balance
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May 15th - Final Balance
Not Included
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Round-trip airfare
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Personal expenses (i.e. souvenirs and snacks)
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Passport and baggage fees, if applicable
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Trip cancellation/interruption insurance (optional)
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Card fees for program payments, if applicable
Itinerary
Day 1 | San Jose
Arrival in San Jose, Costa Rica (SJO) where our staff will be waiting to meet you! We'll kick things off with a health and safety orientation, dive into team building, and end the night with a welcome dinner.
Day 2 | San Jose
Put your leadership into action as we host our first sports clinic for local youth. Then, get to know San José with a guided city tour and a visit to the vibrant Artisan Market. Finish the day with your first official leadership workshop––learning how to uncover your unique leadership style.
Day 3 | San Jose
Start the morning with a softball training session before hosting our second youth sports clinic. In the afternoon, dive into another leadership workshop focused on confidence-building. Then head to dinner with incredible views overlooking the city.
Day 4 | La Fortuna
Fuel up with an early morning softball training before hitting the road to La Fortuna––home of Costa Rica's iconic Arenal Volcano. Once you arrive, settle into a leadership workshop where you'll learn how to build impactful connections. In the evening, enjoy dinner and team-building activities.
Day 5 | La Fortuna
Get ready for an unforgettable adventure: zip-line through the rainforest! In the afternoon, participate in a sports exchange with a local 16U volleyball team––learning how sports bring people together, no matter what language they speak. Round out the day with a leadership reflection focused on courage and a College Athletics Q&A with your Mentors.
Day 6 | La Fortuna
Challenge yourself in a morning softball training session before enjoying free time to shop in the quaint town of La Fortuna. In the afternoon, participate in a leadership workshop where you'll uncover the connection between a positive team environment and resilience. Then, celebrate Costa Rican culture with salsa lessons and a cooking class.
Day 7 | Tamarindo
Start the day with an early morning softball workout before making your way to the beach town of Playa Tamarindo. Once you've arrived, participate in a leadership workshop designed to help you begin exploring your purpose.
Day 8 | Tamarindo
Kick off the morning with a softball training session before volunteering at the Halfway Home Dog Shelter. Next, trade your sneakers for a surfboard and hit the waves for a surf lesson! Enjoy some well-deserved free time at the beach before wrapping up the day with a service-learning reflection.
Day 9 | Tamarindo
Wake up and compete in Beyond Sports Beach Olympics, then soak up the sun on Tamarindo's beautiful beaches. Your final leadership workshop will equip you with the skills to empower your peers. In the evening, celebrate everything you've accomplished with a sunset catamaran tour.
Day 10 | Travel Day
Say our goodbyes as we head to Liberia (LIR) Airport. Travel home with friends and memories to last a lifetime!
The final itinerary will include all components described above, however, the order of activities will change based on the confirmed schedule of service activities.
The Mentors
Mentors don’t just coach—they inspire, empower, and guide the next generation of leaders.
Who are the Mentors?
Mentors are former standout college athletes who serve as the field staff for this program. We leverage our vast college sports network to find All-Americans, Dean's List Honorees, and team captains.
Our Mentors embody leadership on and off the field.
What is their role?
Mentors join you for the entire journey! They lead softball workouts, facilitate leadership workshops, and guide service projects while participating alongside you in every Costa Rica adventure.
2027 Mentors
We select our Mentors on a rolling basis. We have two of our Softball Leadership Academy Mentors locked in! Additional Mentors to be announced by the Spring.
Terra McGowan-Guy
• University of Oregon Softball (2020 - 23)
• National Catcher of the Year
• First-Team All-Pac-12
• Pac-12 All-Defensive Team
• 2023 Beyond Sports Alum
Sarah Birchmeier
• Arcadia Univ. Head Coach (2024 - 26)
• Denison Univ. Asst. Coach (2020-24)
• 2024 Beyond Sports Tour Coach
MIT Experience
Leadership Academy Alum?
Return as a Mentor-in-Training (MIT)!
Leadership Academy alumni are invited to join us back as a Mentor-in-Training (MIT)! Your first academy experience helped you uncover and find confidence in your leadership style. In this second academy experience, we'll work with you on your skills of empowerment.
Our MIT experience is centered around the theme of "leading from within." You'll grow alongside first-year academy students––guiding and empowering them through the same leadership experience that you already navigated. Outside of our daily leadership workshops, our Mentors will lead MIT reflection sessions to help you channel the empowerment skills.
After participating as an MIT, you'll return home with a refined ability to mentor your peers along their leadership journeys.
How to Register
Our staff is available to answer questions for you or your family. Feel free to contact us at any point in the process.
1.
Get Recruited
We look for high school athletes who embody teamwork, an eagerness to learn, and the courage to try new things. If you have not received an invitation, please click Recruit Me to get on our radar.
2.
Accept Your Invite
If selected, you will receive an invitation via email. Please select Accept My Invite to access our registration portal and reserve your spot. Roster spots are filled first come, first serve.
3.
Register & Deposit
A $250 deposit is required to hold your spot on the roster. Once we receive your deposit, we will reach out to outline your next steps!
FAQ
Who do you look for in the recruitment process?
This program is for established and emerging leaders. Specifically, we look for the following qualities in our Leadership Academy participants:
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Invested in your own personal growth
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Invested in empowering your peers
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Demonstrates a readiness to go beyond your comfort zone
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Demonstrates an eagerness to learn
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Embodies teamwork and outstanding sportsmanship
Why is this invitation-only?
All Leadership Academies are invitation-only programs to ensure that each participant is ready for this stage of their leadership journey. When everyone in the program is highly motivated, bought-in, and eager to contribute, it creates a powerful and meaningful dynamic that elevates the entire group.
Can a family member travel with me?
Family members are welcome to travel with you to Costa Rica! However, we do not have any family travel packages for our Leadership Academy programs. Any accompanying family members are responsible for arranging their own travel plans and in-country logistics.
How will I travel to Costa Rica?
Students are responsible for booking their own air travel to and from Costa Rica. We provide detailed flight booking instructions in the pre-departure process. If you’re interested in coordinating your travel plans with other tour students, please contact our staff.
Who will meet me at the airport in Costa Rica?
Our Beyond Sports staff will be waiting for you at the airport in Costa Rica. Once you connect with our team in Costa Rica, our staff will stay with you through the duration of the program.
Contact Us
Our staff is readily available to answer your questions. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us at your convenience.
