We are getting set to embark on our first New Summit Academy Aventur= a

February 1, 2005

Hola! from beautiful, su= nny Costa Rica= !

We are getting set to embark on our first New Summit Academy Aventura. The dates are February 21 through = 27, 2005. This is the first in a = series of four Aventuras that will be integrated into = the New Summit curriculum. =

Each of the four will build upon one another and ALL are requisites for graduation.

Each of the Aventuras will incorporate personal grow= th objectives, physical challenges and academic study emphasizing the particul= ar ecosystems and environmental themes we explore.

As the Aventuras grow and build upon each other, students will physically travel from sea-level to Costa Rica’s highest point, Mount Chirripo, and will experience and understand six of the seven ecosystems that make Costa Rica a biological gem.

More importantly however, student by participating in the series of Aventuras, will experience New Summit Academy’s four main components of personal growth that go hand-in-hand with the ecosystems we will study.

AVENTURA 1

–Personal Awareness: Kayak circumnavigation of the Golfo Dulce, Osa Peninsula

– February 21-27, 2005

This aventura, being the first of four, we will begin at sea level. Students will spend four and a hal= f days kayaking and four days camping as they paddle a 57km route around the Golfo Dulce in the Osa Peninsula, Southern Costa Rica. All camping and group gear, food, water and personal items will be loaded into = our sea kayaks before we push out daily en route to our secluded beach camping destinations. During the trip, students will explore two of Costa Rica’s seven ecosystems: Mangroves and Coral Reefs. Students will have the opportunity= to snorkel both live and dead coral reefs and will paddle through extensive and diverse mangrove forests. Stu= dents will also be engaged in discussions and study about the ecology of these ecosystems and present day factors that threaten their existence. In addition to these topics, stude= nts will also be taught the principles of watershed ecology as the Golfo Dulce present a fas= cinating and unique outdoor classroom. Whether trolling a line behind their kayaks or viewing reef fish with mask and snorkel, fishing and fish identification are also exciting hands-on learning opportunities. The <= span class=3DSpellE>Golfo Dulce is a breeding= area for humpback whales and whale sharks and is the playgrounds for bottle nose= and an endemic pod of spotted dolphins.

The personal growth component of this aventura is Personal Awareness. Students will be required to keep a daily log recording the following: food and water intake, outta= kes, how their bodies performed, how their mind performed, their immediate surroundings and how they are affected by it, how they affect their immedia= te surroundings, their sleep patterns, all physical activity, etc. These logs = will be used to generate evening discussions about personal awareness as students will become more in-tune with their bodies and minds over the course of the trip.

The kayak aventura is not an easy trip physically. However, it is an amazing accomplishment when completed and a trip that will never be forgotten. Sun exposure poses= our biggest risk. Students will be instructed how to properly cover and protect themselves while on the water. New Summit faculty and local guides will pr= ovide the support and instruction so that all participants finish the trip safely= .

Itinerary:

o = Mon= day, Feb. 21 - Travel day from New Summit Campus, Atenas to La Llanta Picante, Puerto Jimenez – Osa Peni= nsula

§We will tr= avel the Pan-American Highway over the central mountain range in route to the Osa= .

§Dinner, ka= yak prep and packing, overnight at La Llanta Picante.

o = Tue= sday, Feb. 22 - Kayak put-in at Sandalo = Beach and begin all day paddle to Finca Colibri, Playa Blanca

§Snorkeling= north of S= andalo Beach

§Overnight = camping

o = Wed= nesday, Feb. 23 - Kayak Playa Blanca to Rincon, exploring Rio Rincon mangrove systems (tide permitting)<= /span>

§Overnight camping

o = Thu= rsday, Feb. 24 - Kayak Rincon to Los Mogos stopping to snorkel Punta <= span class=3DSpellE>Estrella

§Lunch on <= st1:place w:st=3D"on">Los Mogos Is= lands

§Overnight = camping

o = Fri= day, Feb. 25 - Kayak Los Mog= os to Playa San Josesito

§Overnight Camping

o = Sat= urday, Feb. 26 - Kayak Crossing 3am – 7:30am Playa San Josesito to S= andalo Beach

§Sunrise while in the center of the gulf

§Breakfast =

§Travel bac= k to llanta for naps, clean-up and lunch=

§Explore Pu= erto Jimenez town

§Dinner in = town

§Overnight = at La Llanta Picante=

o = Sun= day, Feb. 27 - Breakfast at La Llanta

§Return tri= p to New Summit Academy, Atenas ~ 6pm

Upcoming = Aventuras:

Aventura 2

– = Diversity of Family: Backpac= king Corocovado National Park, Osa Peninsula

– = May 16 – 22, 2005

Aventura 3

– = Diversity of Community: Monteverde to Volcano Arenal thru hike, Santa Elena

– = TBA

Aventura 4

– = Transition, Taking the Next Step: Chirripo Summit Climb, San Isidro

– = TBA

Pura Vida,

Andy Myers

Experiential Education Coordinator
New Summit Academy&= nbsp;Costa Rica

www= .newsummitacademy.com
andymyers@newsummitacademy.= com
Fax: ( 561) 892-3853