The past weeks have been packed with engaging, interesting, and fun opportunities for our students at New Summit Academy. Integrated Aventuras At the start of the month, students and staff participated in our Integrated Aventuras, which combine experiential, hands-on learning with personal growth in some of the most beautiful places in Costa Rica. Newer students spent the week learning about conservation while volunteering in reforestation projects in the Osa Peninsula. A second cohort of students paddled around the Golfo Dulce, studying tidal fluctuations, watersheds, and coral reefs, along with fishing with hand lines and competing in the famous “Tent Partner Olympics.” A third group of students hiked through Corcovado National Park, learning about forest succession and spotting exotic wildlife including tapir, anteaters and spider monkeys! Weekend Activities Last week, when NSA welcomed a new student into our community, a senior student pointed to our scheduling calendar and said “Just look at what we get to do this weekend!” In just two days, our students had the opportunity to: - Show off their moves at the Roller Disco - Fish in the estuaries along the Pacific coast - Spend the day immersed in Costa Rica’s culture with Homestay Families - Visit the National Theater - Expend some energy at the Trampoline Park - Participate in Film Club |
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Our May 2020 graduating class consists of nine young men who have left an indelible, positive impact on our community. That impact has been felt outside the walls of NSA, especially at our local children’s home Hogar de Vida. These grads, and many of their peers, have dedicated afternoons and weekends throughout their stay to build connections with the children through play, sing-alongs, art projects, games and just having fun. This week, the graduates carried ice cream and cake to the children for one final afternoon of fun. The children had plenty of hugs for our graduates, who have gained so much from their experiences with Hogar de Vida. Many thanks to Daisy, who continues to facilitate our ongoing relationship with this tremendous organization! The recent student benefit concert and fundraiser, SummitFest, turned out to be a major success. Students have been volunteering at Caritas – a local soup kitchen that feeds up to 60 people per day. A lack of a freezer and needed supplies make their efforts challenging, and students recognized that need. Funds raised online and at the concert were used to purchase a new refrigerator, a deep freezer, and contribute to the ongoing food needs of the organization. The delivery of the new appliances was overseen by our Experiential Education staff, Miguel, who also helped guide the students in organizing the concert. Great work, Miguel and NSA students!
NSA’s host country of Costa Rica provides our students with an incredible opportunity to learn the Spanish language. NSA students do spend time in the classroom studying grammar and vocabulary, but the beauty of our Spanish program is that this classroom study is designed to prepare students for, enrich, and reflect on all of the immersive, cultural experiences that we offer.
This month alone, students practiced their Spanish skills by: - Exploring the history behind the Oxcart Factory in nearby Sarchi - Volunteering with children at Hogar de Vida - Learning about the traditional “trapiche” mill and watching sugar cane be turned into sugar - Visiting Costa Rica’s National Theater in San Jose - Surfing some of the nation’s most beautiful beaches - Spending Sundays sharing cultural customs with their homestay families There is no better way to learn a language than by immersing in it, which is just what our students do at NSA!
With challenging and enriching academic days, Honor Council, SCAFA Team meetings, physical education, evening therapeutic groups, and nightly homework, NSA students certainly look forward to some fun and relaxation on the weekends. Our Experiential Education team works closely with Student Council to design and schedule a variety of activities over the weekends, ranging from outdoor pursuits to cultural activities, and from trips to the movies to community service. Here is a sample of activities that our students have enjoyed in just the past two weeks: Cultural Activities This month, students visited a cacao plantation to join in on the chocolate-making process and also spent time learning about Costa Rica’s indigenous past at the Gold Museum. Las Minas A nearby river filled with pools and natural rock slides is always a hit for our students! Beach Day Students often look forward to action-packed days on the beautiful beaches of Costa Rica, where they can be found body surfing, playing soccer on the sand, and flying kites! Community Service
Our students and staff recently pitched in at Hogar de Ancianos, our local retirement home, helping for the day in the laundry room. Pure Go-Karting and Paintball Fun Competition gets fierce when NSA students get behind the wheel or on the paintball field! Weekends may be just as busy as weekdays at NSA, but these student-driven activities let the young men recharge and be ready for each coming week!
The children and staff at Hogar de Vida provide us with so much throughout the year, and the holidays are a time when we can say “thank you.”
This season, all of the kids joined us on campus for our annual Christmas party. Daisy, our cultural coordinator, worked her usual magic to ensure that every child had a personalized gift, a delicious meal and a wonderful time. |
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