Finding Belonging in Costa Rica Across Three Generations
- Vietnam veteran Richard fulfilled a lifelong dream by sharing a Road Scholar educational travel program in Costa Rica with his daughter, son-in-law and grandson.
- Three generations connected through hands-on learning, from spotting scarlet macaws and rainforest wildlife to experiencing Costa Rican culture together.
- For Richard, the journey reflected the power of lifelong learning, belonging and shared discovery while creating memories that will last for generations.
- Donovan, age 8, summed up the experience in one word: "Courage," reminding us that travel inspires confidence, curiosity and connection at every age.
Some journeys are measured in miles, others in years. For Richard J., a Vietnam veteran who found profound healing in the landscapes of national parks, his most meaningful journey has been one of hope. After a decade of finding solace and community on our programs, he decided to realize a long-held dream to share the world of experiential travel with his daughter and young grandson.
In 2025, on the milestone of his 80th birthday, that dream took root and blossomed in the vibrant heart of Costa Rica with Road Scholar.
A Family Adventure in Costa Rica
The program was From Monkeys to Macaws: Colorful Costa Rica With Your Family. For his 11th Road Scholar adventure, Richard was joined by his daughter Kendra, son-in-law Guillermo and eight-year-old grandson, Donovan. The journey transformed the familiar comfort of the Road Scholar community into an experience he could finally share firsthand with those closest to him.
"Sharing a Road Scholar program with my family ... it's very special," Richard says. "Even though on the Road Scholar programs I've been on, the people have been almost like family, with my daughter, who is very special to me — she's my rock — sharing with her especially is wonderful."
A New Generation of Explorer
A central thread of this new chapter was the bond between grandfather and grandson. Richard’s pride in Donovan is palpable. “He is amazing,” he says. “He's only eight years old, but you would think he's far older. He's so athletic, he's so joyful. He gets along with everyone. He's fabulous.”
Years ago, Richard’s passion for photography was a solitary pursuit — a form of therapy. Now, it’s a shared legacy. "One of my greatest joys is photography," Richard explains. "And my grandson, he has a camera that he asked me to get him about a year ago. He said, 'Grandpa, can you buy me a big camera like yours?' Seeing him use it, my heart, it just melts."
Beyond the technical skills, Richard hopes Donovan absorbs the human lessons of travel. “I hope that he can walk away with being with other folks, just interacting, not trying to be anything, but just be yourself,” he shares. “I find that with my programs, that's all I had to do. Opening up, seeing other people from different walks of life, that helps you too.”
For Donovan himself, the experience was more elemental, sparking a simple sense of bravery. When asked what the trip had given him, his answer was one word: "Courage."
The Magic of Costa Rica
If Richard’s past journeys were about healing, this one was a feast for the senses, where every sight, sound and scent in Costa Rica’s lush landscape offered a new discovery. The family’s days were a whirlwind of activity, from the thrill of ziplining through the canopy to the rich aroma of a local chocolate-making demonstration.
When asked about their favorite moments, their answers painted a vivid portrait of the adventure. For Donovan, it was the awe-inspiring wildlife. "My favorite part was seeing the Scarlet Macaws," he says. And Richard, ever the patient observer, found beauty in the unexpected. "Seeing the different bats and how small they were. I thought they were beautiful," he says, while still holding out hope for a glimpse of the country’s most iconic bird. "If I can see the Resplendent Quetzal," he laughs, "that'll make my year."
A Message That Endures
While the scenery was new, Richard’s core message — one of resilience and unity — remains as powerful as ever. For him, the healing power of these programs is deeply personal. “As a Vietnam veteran, right from my first Road Scholar program, I knew there was something special here because it was helping me process my PTSD,” he explains. “And Road Scholar participants, they’re really almost like a family, and I enjoy it so much. I keep coming back.”
It’s a message he’s passionate about sharing. “I would suggest that other veterans do not let their PTSD define who they are,” he states firmly. “Because once you come out in a program like this, whether you are a photographer, whether you are a person who likes to walk a lot, climb, there's something for everyone. So don't let it beat you down. Travel, explore. It will help you considerably.”
This sense of welcome extends into a powerful belief in inclusivity. He sees Road Scholar as a space where differences dissolve into a shared human experience. “I would like to see even more diversity,” he notes, “because especially with the Road Scholar programs, everyone is inclusive. There is no Chinese, there is no Japanese, there is no African American, there is no Irish. There's people. There's oneness. And that's what people need to understand. When you come on a program like this, you belong.”
As the adventure concluded, the family was left with more than just photographs — they had woven a new chapter into their shared history. The program culminated in a surprise celebration for Richard’s 80th birthday, where the entire family unit — and their new Road Scholar community — joined in to honor him. "This is our first family adventure together," Richard says, the weight of the moment clear. "And on my 80th birthday, it's a milestone. It's been absolutely thumbs-up, incredible."
From a dream sparked by a catalog page to a shared family adventure in the heart of the rainforest, Richard's journey has truly come full circle. It is a legacy of courage, passed from one generation to the next, and its impact is best captured not in a grand statement, but in the simple, heartfelt words of his grandson.
"Grandpa," Donovan says, "thank you for taking me on this adventure."
