It’s one thing to learn about geology from a book. It’s another thing to learn about it from experience.

That’s the theory behind Grand Classroom, a travel company that specializes in educational trips to the Grand Canyon and other locations, including Yellowstone, and recently, Costa Rica.

Beaver Lake Middle School teacher Kathy Boudreau helped put together the first trip to Costa Rica last year, and is already planning for next year’s.

“What’s better than to open your text book and see something you have experienced?” Boudreau asked. “Talking does something. But when you see it in real life, it’s extraordinary.”

Boudreau, who had gone on several trips to the Grand Canyon with students through the Grand Classroom program, approached Issaquah resident Darryl Marshall, the local representative for Grand Classroom, about organizing a trip to Costa Rica.

Marshall, who lived in Peru for several years, thought it was a great plan, and a pilot group of seven — four students and three chaperones — was organized.

“It was more of a vacation than work,” Marshall said of the trip.

The trip was similar to a lot of Grand Classroom trips, where the focus is on science and related fields. Grand Classroom programs are all-inclusive, with airfare, food and hotel. There is always a local guide, as well as a driver.

The group that went to Costa Rica toured the rain forest, went rafting and participated in a beach clean-up project.

In the coming trip next June, Boudreau plans on changing the itinerary a bit, focusing on the turtle eggs that are in Costa Rica.

“We may move the eggs at night,” Boudreau said.

The turtles are in danger, due to poaching. Many of the locals don’t realize that the species is threatened and still harvest the eggs as a part of their traditional cuisine.

Bourdreau and Marshall are also planning on taking the students on a zip line tour.

In Costa Rica the students are able to study the ecosystems, biosystems and ground cover, Bourdeau said — things that they otherwise can only experience through photos in a book.

Last year’s group had the chance to watch volcanic eruptions as well.

“Crashing down with all the red drama,” Bourdeau described.

From Costa Rica, the students also had the chance to see both the Pacific and the Atlantic Oceans and compare the differences.

It wasn’t all science though.

One of the best aspects of the trips, Boudreau said, is watching the kids grow up as they realize there is more than just their own small world.

“You can watch the kids turn into thoughtful adults,” she said.

The trips also contain components of history and politics. Kids are able to learn about the history of the area as well as the constantly changing political movement in Costa Rica, where a president can only be in power for four years.

It’s all these experiences that makes the trip so invaluable, Boudreau said.

“It’s a lot of work putting it together,” Boudreau said. “You think, ‘Ugh, why am I doing this?’ But by the end of the trip, you’re so grateful.”

Boudreau and Grand Classroom staff members plan on going again to Costa Rica on June 18, during prime turtle season. On this next trip, they plan on taking about 15 students, Boudreau said. For more information, contact Boudreau at 837-6397 or at boudreauk@issaquah.wednet.edu or, contact Marshall at darrylmarshall@grandclassroom.com or visit www.grandclassroom.com.