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The next two weeks are exciting ones for our students, families and staff of NSA! Newer students will be off adventuring and relaxing in the untouched forests of Sarapiqui and on the shores of Lake Arenal. They will be spending the week zip-lining, playing soccer, stand-up paddle boarding and horseback riding in some of the most beautiful areas of the country.
Another group of students will be traveling to South Africa for two weeks of impactful cultural immersion and community building.
Next week, our students and staff will be hard at work studying and applying their learning hands-on in their efforts to earn their Wilderness Advanced First Aid (WAFA) and CPR certifications. Stay tuned for stories and photos from these upcoming activities!
Another group of students will be traveling to South Africa for two weeks of impactful cultural immersion and community building.
Next week, our students and staff will be hard at work studying and applying their learning hands-on in their efforts to earn their Wilderness Advanced First Aid (WAFA) and CPR certifications. Stay tuned for stories and photos from these upcoming activities!
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Students spent last week on one of our signature Integrated Aventuras -- expeditions throughout Costa Rica where students engage in experiential learning and personal growth alongside our dedicated therapists, teachers and Experiential Education mentors.
The Aventura program begins at sea level with students “giving back” to the Costa Rican community through volunteer work with Osa Conservation. Students plant trees, build trails, and patrol the beaches for nesting sea turtles.
The Aventura program begins at sea level with students “giving back” to the Costa Rican community through volunteer work with Osa Conservation. Students plant trees, build trails, and patrol the beaches for nesting sea turtles.
A few high points from the community service Aventura:
-Nightly presentations from working scientists about research on canopy animals, hermit crabs, big cat tracking and water quality testing
-Safely relocating over 70 sea turtle eggs & releasing 70 baby hatchlings
-Encountering anteaters, coatimundi and a beautiful (and rare) puma!
-Nightly presentations from working scientists about research on canopy animals, hermit crabs, big cat tracking and water quality testing
-Safely relocating over 70 sea turtle eggs & releasing 70 baby hatchlings
-Encountering anteaters, coatimundi and a beautiful (and rare) puma!
Students then participate in the Kayak Aventura, circumnavigating the Golfo Dulce while camping along its undeveloped shores.
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Memorable moments from this journey include:
-Watching turtles and dolphin swim alongside students’ kayaks
-Fishing with hand lines for snapper, mackerel and tuna
-Snorkeling in the coral reef at Los Mogos, two islands whose name means “the specks”
-Being surrounded by natural beauty and seeing rainbows nearly every day
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Memorable moments from this journey include:
-Watching turtles and dolphin swim alongside students’ kayaks
-Fishing with hand lines for snapper, mackerel and tuna
-Snorkeling in the coral reef at Los Mogos, two islands whose name means “the specks”
-Being surrounded by natural beauty and seeing rainbows nearly every day
After the Kayak Aventura, students spend a week hiking in the protected jungles of Corcovado National Park, learning about biological relationships and rainforest succession.
Students and staff reported some of their fondest memories:
-The teamwork and support shown by the group members during the challenging hike
-Impressive focus on the group’s goals
-Being blown away by the diversity of animal and plant life
Students and staff reported some of their fondest memories:
-The teamwork and support shown by the group members during the challenging hike
-Impressive focus on the group’s goals
-Being blown away by the diversity of animal and plant life
The final Integrated Aventura before students climb Chirripo Mountain is a trekking and rafting expedition in Costa Rica’s cloud forests.
Highlights of this trip included:
-Student engagement with absolutely zero complaining!
-Students pushing themselves outside of their comfort zones while navigating whitewater rapids
-The valuable peer feedback given and received within the group
Highlights of this trip included:
-Student engagement with absolutely zero complaining!
-Students pushing themselves outside of their comfort zones while navigating whitewater rapids
-The valuable peer feedback given and received within the group
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This month, our community of New Summit Academy proudly celebrated 13 YEARS of working together to fulfill our mission of nurturing students to become more relationship-based, goal-driven, resourceful global citizens.
To commemorate this exciting milestone, we would like to share some student testimonials from these amazing times. We hope you enjoy!
To commemorate this exciting milestone, we would like to share some student testimonials from these amazing times. We hope you enjoy!
“Happy Anniversary NSA! Celebrate the fact that you are providing something more than anyone there realizes. You are giving everyone there a chance to step away from what life is really like and grow in a controlled environment, a place where they can learn to love and trust themselves.”
-Tyler, Class of 2006
“At NSA I was given so many opportunities to improve my self-esteem. I left NSA with a sense of pride and accomplishment, which helped me get past insecurities and fears back at home.”
-Luke, Class of 2007
“I remember how real Mario and the rest of the staff were with us. I was told many things I didn't want to hear, and really felt that I was treated with respect (when I deserved it, and even sometimes when I didn't).” - Matt, Class of 2008
“The experiences I received in Costa Rica with NSA were invaluable and irreplaceable. I grew from a naive and immature boy to a young man who is motivated and destined for success.”
- Evan, Class of 2009
“When I think about NSA the first thing I remember is the Aventuras. Those were some of the most enlightening and insightful experiences that I have ever partaken in.”
- Billy, Class of 2010
“I don’t think NSA makes you a different person. I think that NSA makes you the person you have always been meant to be.”
- Rory, Class of 2010
“I think the most important aspect which NSA taught me which I still use today, is to simply be myself!”
- Johnny, Class of 2012
-Tyler, Class of 2006
“At NSA I was given so many opportunities to improve my self-esteem. I left NSA with a sense of pride and accomplishment, which helped me get past insecurities and fears back at home.”
-Luke, Class of 2007
“I remember how real Mario and the rest of the staff were with us. I was told many things I didn't want to hear, and really felt that I was treated with respect (when I deserved it, and even sometimes when I didn't).” - Matt, Class of 2008
“The experiences I received in Costa Rica with NSA were invaluable and irreplaceable. I grew from a naive and immature boy to a young man who is motivated and destined for success.”
- Evan, Class of 2009
“When I think about NSA the first thing I remember is the Aventuras. Those were some of the most enlightening and insightful experiences that I have ever partaken in.”
- Billy, Class of 2010
“I don’t think NSA makes you a different person. I think that NSA makes you the person you have always been meant to be.”
- Rory, Class of 2010
“I think the most important aspect which NSA taught me which I still use today, is to simply be myself!”
- Johnny, Class of 2012
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NSA is continually working to innovate and provide the best possible experiences for all of our students, parents, staff and educational partners. Each year, the Academic, Experiential Education, and Personal Growth departments all set goals for improving our program and offering a unique learning and growth opportunity for students.
2017 was a fantastic year for the New Summit Academy community – with achievements including:
-The implementation of our quarterly Club Fair, providing more chances for our students to pursue their passions and interests
-Adding Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) to both our Course Catalog and as a professional certification opportunity
-The final installation phase of our solar panels, significantly reducing our program’s environmental impact
-A successful Wilderness Advanced First Aid Course, with 100% of participating students earning their WAFA and CPR Certifications
-Enrichment of our Global Citizenship Facet Workshops, including interviews with authors and filmmakers
-Successful facilitation of 22 Aventuras, including our Integrated Aventuras as well as once-in-a-lifetime journeys to Peru and South Africa
-Increased student empowerment, with improvements to our Student Council and Proposals systems
-College acceptance for 100% of our graduating seniors, with an average merit scholarship offer of $53,904 and well over a million dollars of total scholarships offered
2018 is looking to be even more exciting, and as we develop our goals – guided by our organizational values – we would like to thank our students, families, educational consultants, faculty and staff, homestay families and the community of Atenas for the support and dedication they have provided to make New Summit Academy the amazing program it is today.
Keep an eye out in future issues for our 2018 goals and objectives!
Keep an eye out in future issues for our 2018 goals and objectives!
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Many of NSA’s students returned home to celebrate the winter holidays with family and friends. Those who remained in Costa Rica celebrated with their New Summit Academy family and friends, enjoying the natural beauty of the country while having loads of fun participating in recreational activities.
These are just some of outdoor adventures our students engaged in over the holiday break:
- Hiking among the geysers and mud pots of Rincon de la Vieja National Park
- Horseback riding in the tropical dry forests of Guanacaste Province
- Spending time surfing and relaxing at the beach
- Swimming in the spectacular blue waters of the Rio Celeste
Happy Holidays and Feliz Año Nuevo to our entire New Summit Academy Community!
These are just some of outdoor adventures our students engaged in over the holiday break:
- Hiking among the geysers and mud pots of Rincon de la Vieja National Park
- Horseback riding in the tropical dry forests of Guanacaste Province
- Spending time surfing and relaxing at the beach
- Swimming in the spectacular blue waters of the Rio Celeste
Happy Holidays and Feliz Año Nuevo to our entire New Summit Academy Community!
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New Summit Academy’s Integrated Aventuras serve as important rites of passage for our students as they reflect on their growth in the program while engaging with teachers, therapists and mentors in meaningful experiential activities throughout Costa Rica.
The progression of Aventuras reflects student growth as well, with locations beginning at sea level and gradually working their way to the culminating experience, summiting Mt. Chirripo, the highest point in Costa Rica. Each Aventura incorporates academic study, personal growth goals and experiential education activities to foster true engagement and integrated growth.
Here are a few highlights from this month's Aventuras to four unique parts of the country.
The progression of Aventuras reflects student growth as well, with locations beginning at sea level and gradually working their way to the culminating experience, summiting Mt. Chirripo, the highest point in Costa Rica. Each Aventura incorporates academic study, personal growth goals and experiential education activities to foster true engagement and integrated growth.
Here are a few highlights from this month's Aventuras to four unique parts of the country.
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Pinnacle moments from our Kayak Aventura!
-Students were treated to a brilliant double rainbow at Playa Blanca, the first campsite of the journey
-The fishing was great, with students catching prized “chancho” fish, and turning them into fresh ceviche
-The rainy season brought clouds and mist to the night crossing of the gulf, adding to the magical atmosphere
-Students were treated to a brilliant double rainbow at Playa Blanca, the first campsite of the journey
-The fishing was great, with students catching prized “chancho” fish, and turning them into fresh ceviche
-The rainy season brought clouds and mist to the night crossing of the gulf, adding to the magical atmosphere
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Osa Peninsula conservation highlights:
-Assisting scientists with cataloging native trees
-Fascinating workshops by Costa Rica’s director of turtle conservation and a scientist who tracks big cats
-Releasing nearly 600 baby sea turtles into the waves, and finding a mother turtle nesting during nightly beach patrols
-A spirited soccer game with students, staff and members of the community that transcended language barriers
-Assisting scientists with cataloging native trees
-Fascinating workshops by Costa Rica’s director of turtle conservation and a scientist who tracks big cats
-Releasing nearly 600 baby sea turtles into the waves, and finding a mother turtle nesting during nightly beach patrols
-A spirited soccer game with students, staff and members of the community that transcended language barriers
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A Recap from our Cloud Forest Adventures:
-Snacking on sweet, ripe blackberries at Monte Sky Eco-Lodge and including them in a delicious pancake breakfast
- Integrating academic themes of cloud forest ecology and biomimicry with the personal growth process through an ecopsychological lens
-Spotting a beautiful vine snake and colorful poison dart frogs on the banks of the Pacuare River
-Climbing waterfalls and jumping into river pools while whitewater rafting
-Snacking on sweet, ripe blackberries at Monte Sky Eco-Lodge and including them in a delicious pancake breakfast
- Integrating academic themes of cloud forest ecology and biomimicry with the personal growth process through an ecopsychological lens
-Spotting a beautiful vine snake and colorful poison dart frogs on the banks of the Pacuare River
-Climbing waterfalls and jumping into river pools while whitewater rafting
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Highlights from our Corcovado Aventura!
-Seeing coatimundi, crocodiles, monkeys, toucans and an anteater in the rainforest
-Chilling at the lodge after a challenging and rain-drenched 13-mile hike
-Competing in an improvised driftwood javelin contest
-Learning about forest succession and light gaps from fallen trees while sitting on a fallen tree!
-Seeing coatimundi, crocodiles, monkeys, toucans and an anteater in the rainforest
-Chilling at the lodge after a challenging and rain-drenched 13-mile hike
-Competing in an improvised driftwood javelin contest
-Learning about forest succession and light gaps from fallen trees while sitting on a fallen tree!
