Category: Personal Growth - New Summit Academy Costa Rica

From Solos to SnapChat: Guiding Re-entry into a Technological World

5/9/2020

Martin Naffziger, M.Ed., and Dr. Heather Tracy, Ed.D., presented in early 2020 at the annual NATSAP conference. The topic? Once through wilderness, how do we guide students back into the realities of our technological world?

Dr. Tracy presented the latest research on the positive and negative effects of technology use as well as presented a framework for how to assess and discuss intentionally moderate use.

Martin Naffziger then outlined how New Summit Academy re-introduces technology into student lives in an intentionally gradual way using process-based scaffolding. Enjoy!

Latest COVID-19 Update from NSA

4/9/2020

Hello, supportive community!

It is time for an update from Costa Rica! Our parents have been receiving regular email updates and calls to process the COVID-19 situation in Costa Rica. Parents have been absolute troopers participating in collaborative decision-making, creative problem-solving, and general flexibility and adaptability to this unprecedented situation.

Since Costa Rica implemented early prevention measures and continues to update restrictions for Holy Week, the spread has been slow here. We are grateful to our government’s innovative and exemplary response.

The current status is: 502 confirmed, 5533 negative, 3 deaths, 2 cases in Atenas, 23 hospitalized (14 in ICU), 29 recovered. Borders are closed to incoming foreigners through April 30. We will accept enrollments in May.

If you are interested in our decision-making processes and pandemic protocols implemented to ensure the safety of our students and staff to the best of our ability, please feel free to reach out. Our leadership team has been fully dedicated to risk management as well as turning lemons into lemonade. The silver linings may seem like few, but we have found a lot of joy and optimism in the way that our students and staff have responded to this crisis rather than being defeated by it.

NSA classes have continued as normal with some adjustments made to integrate the current global situation into our studies, such as immune system studies in science and pandemic history in social studies. We have also opened up time in our schedule for additional therapeutic groups for all students to process how COVID-19 is affecting them and their families.

Because we were not able to embark on our beloved Aventuras last week, we have also been guiding student cohort groups to implement projects on campus.

Each student has a role in their group, and projects have been finalized: 1) Hammock hut, 2) Music studio mural, 3) outdoor gym and 4) building Adirondack style chairs for the fire pit.

Campus weekends have been a flurry of "at home" game building on the weekends! With the help of our dedicated staff, we have managed to build and set up various on campus activities like: bocce ball, fire pit, frisbee golf, cornhole, ladder golf, horseshoes, graffiti wall, frisbee golf, gaga ball, an expanded gym (indoor and outdoor), and much more!

We've also heard from our alumni, and we're grateful for their connection and support as well. They remind us often how we always used to say, "Boredom is a choice!" and those words could not be more relevant than they are now.

Take care & stay safe!
Dr. Heather Tracy, EdD, Co-Founder & Executive Director

More Than College Prep: NSA is Life Prep!

2/20/2020

Experiential learning, project and problem-based classes, rigorous standards, comprehensive student portfolios - there is no doubt that New Summit Academy’s Academic Program is college-prep.

But NSA is much more than college-prep; we prepare our students for life! Our students have struggled but developed the resilience to persevere. They have learned how they learn and how to advocate for themselves, have lived away from home in dorms (doing their own laundry and chores!) Our students have immersed in a different culture and language, have performed community service like no other, and have developed healthy coping mechanisms and re-connected with their families.

New Summit Academy graduates: PREPARED FOR LIFE!

Why Hogar de Vida?

1/26/2020

Hogar de Vida is an orphanage right down our street, but it's more than that. It's a place of hope and growth for everyone involved.

It doesn't matter whether you are a director, accountant, teacher, or student at NSA... you all share a common goal of spreading 'love' and 'joy.'

We asked some of our students and staff, "What makes Hogar de Vida so special?" ...and this is what some of them said.

"It's not about material possession, it’s not about who’s cool or not, it’s about connecting one-on-one with another human being who wants to be loved and accepted. Both our students and the little kids get that feeling from their interaction." - NSA Staff

"One big community working together towards a better cause - that's the beauty of Hogar de Vida!" - NSA Staff

"It makes me feel like a parent for a day. It's really cool to see their faces light up when they see us, and it's the same both ways, my face also lights up. I'm very happy when I go there." - NSA Student

"It was my first time going to an orphanage, people made it seem a lot harder than it was, I’m somewhat good with kids, but especially with my Hogar de Vida ‘son.’ A previous student had him before me, and no one really ‘wanted him’ - he would spit on me or climb up from behind, mess around... But it takes time. If you show them that you care and you want to be around them, even just the vibe of that, they will pick up on it. And he just became a whole new person - he comes up and grabs my hand; I'm now his best friend and he's mine." - NSA Student

"The experience as a whole - it not only helps me as a person but also them. They get to interact with people that are older and a positive influence on their life, which they might’ve not had in the past." - NSA Student

"They don’t think anyone besides the ‘tias’ would care for them. As some of us are young men, or getting to be there, it’s very positive for them to get and see positive 'male' examples, and we as students get to build our identity in a way too." - NSA Student

"For someone who struggles with comfortability around little kids, it’s honestly still pretty fun to see everyone having a fantastic time, and even if you aren’t a great fan of little kids, you can still help out. I still enjoy seeing them have fun." - NSA Student

NSA in Peru & South Africa!

9/16/2019

New Summit Academy continues to offer its students once-in-a-lifetime travel and immersion opportunities!

This past month, students and staff traveled to either Peru or South Africa, engaging with local cultures, performing community service, marveling at the beauty of these nations, and having some fun! Here are just a few of the activities that students experienced in their travels:

-Whitewater rafting the Apurimac River
-Learning how graffiti is used for positive social change
-Working in the Sacred Valley alongside the Amaru indigenous community
-Spotting hippos and rhino while on safari
-Hiking through the Andes on the Auzangate trek
-Exploring Machu Picchu

What a month for New Summit Academy!

August Experiential Session at New Summit Academy

8/13/2019

This month brings exciting, hands-on experiential learning for our students and staff!

Below is a quick introduction to the once-in-a-lifetime opportunities that our community will be engaging in during the coming weeks:

Wilderness Advanced First Aid & CPR Certification
Students and staff will work together in this week-long, professional-level certification program, guided by the Wilderness Medicine Institute. Lessons on risk management and prevention, site surveys, CPR, and emergency treatment will be paired with hands-on simulated emergency scenarios where students will put their knowledge into action.

South Africa International Aventura
Some of our more senior students will travel to South Africa for what is sure to be a life-changing adventure. After getting to know Cape Town and introductions to local communities, students will participate in wildlife safaris, team-building exercises with local nonprofits, visits to museums and historical sites, and even a workshop with a local artist on using graffiti to bring positive change to communities!

Peru International Aventura
Many of our NSA students will travel to Peru to experience the Sacred Valley as few visitors ever get to do. The journey begins with an introduction to the ancient city of Cuzco and exploring the Incan site of Machu Picchu and Pisac. Students will then raft the Apurimac River before hiking the challenging but stunningly beautiful Ausangate Trek!

Costa Rica Orientation Aventura
Our newest NSA students will spend a week on two separate trips, with some relax time on campus in-between, getting to know the beauty and fun that Costa Rica has to offer. The first leg will introduce students to the Pacific Coast, where they will spend time on the beaches and sea kayaking. White water rafting on the world-famous Sarapiqui and zip-lining through the rainforests of Arenal make up the second trip. What a way to start at NSA!

SCUBA Certification in Bocas del Toro
To round out the August Experiential Session, a group of students and staff will travel to the archipelago of Bocas del Toro in Panama to earn their SCUBA Certifications. Bocas is world-renowned for its stunning beaches, coral reefs, and populations of marine mammals. This Aventura is sure to be remembered!

No other school on the planet engages its students in experiential learning like New Summit Academy!

What Does It Mean to be an Honor Student at NSA?

7/25/2019

Earning Honor Status at New Summit Academy means so much more than making good grades (although, that’s part of it too!)

An Honor Student is recognized by his SCAFA Advising Team as consistently guiding his behaviors according to the NSA value system and excelling in the areas of scholarship, citizenship, character, community service, and leadership.

While earning Honor Status allows the students additional privileges, this flexibility comes with a higher level of trust earned over time, and Honor Students willingly accept the responsibility of helping out their peers as well as the community as a whole.

A Busy – and Fun! – July for NSA Students

7/11/2019

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

Educating Global Citizens

6/27/2019

New Summit Academy’s mission is to empower students toward healthier lifestyles through processing experiences and solving problems to become more relationship-based, goal-driven, resourceful global citizens.

The goal of helping young men develop into global citizens has guided the development of many of the most impactful and memorable components of the NSA program.

These experiences of stepping outside of our comfort zones, asking intelligent questions while building critical thinking skills, and immersing in the world around us are all woven throughout NSA’s personal growth, academic, and experiential education programs.

Below are just a few examples of how we do this at NSA:

Building Connections and Serving our Community: All New Summit Academy students engage in service throughout their stay (in fact, it’s a requirement of our program!)

Students participate in reforestation projects, care for children at Hogar de Vida, provide activities for Retirement Home residents, and teach English classes to locals in Atenas.

Cultural Engagement: Each weekend, after having learned about the activity in their Spanish classes, our students immerse in the Costa Rican culture through experiences that include trips to museums, parks, festivals, tours of coffee and chocolate farms, and sports days in the park.

Global Citizenship Workshops: Eight times a year, students participate in teacher-led, experiential workshops that examine the facets of Social Justice, Human Rights, Interdependence, Ecological Stewardship, and more.

These facets then serve as lenses through which students approach their core classes for each quarter.

SCAFA Day – Beginning the Quarter Planning for Success

6/1/2019

NSA students are beginning the quarter by planning for their continued growth with their SCAFA (which stands for Self, Community, and Future) Teams.

On the first day of each quarter, NSA has a special schedule that allows students to each meet with their Academic Advisor, Experiential Education Mentor, and Case Manager – who make up their SCAFA Team – to review their quarterly goal plans and set concrete steps to achieve those goals.

When not attending SCAFA Meetings, students are working to unpack from their home visits or Recreational Aventuras, organizing their iPads for the upcoming quarter, participating in community service in Atenas, and expending some adolescent energy on the basketball court, on the soccer field, or in the gym.

SCAFA Day is one way we work to set up our students for success this quarter!

New Summit Academy Costa Rica is a supportive boarding school and study abroad experience for high school males in grades 9-12.

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We hope you appreciate our authenticity and transparency - they are our best qualities!

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