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This week, New Summit Academy proudly awarded high school diplomas and certificates of program completion to six young men who have – like all of our graduates – shown impressive effort and growth during the past year.
December graduation coincides with our seniors wrapping up their college application process, and reflecting through their personal essays on their unique journeys. As we celebrate this graduation and look forward to more stories of success in the future, we would like to share a handful of excerpts from these student reflections:
December graduation coincides with our seniors wrapping up their college application process, and reflecting through their personal essays on their unique journeys. As we celebrate this graduation and look forward to more stories of success in the future, we would like to share a handful of excerpts from these student reflections:
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Presentation by Dr. Danny Recio & Dr. Heather Tracy at the Young Adult Transition Association conference in Coeur d'Alene, ID, in October 2017.
Learn more about 5 societal and cultural trends affecting youth development and how Supportive Immersion methods develop the PROPS which lead to self-generation and therefore integrative growth.
Learn more about 5 societal and cultural trends affecting youth development and how Supportive Immersion methods develop the PROPS which lead to self-generation and therefore integrative growth.
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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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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!
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Students continue to develop critical self-advocacy and organizational skills by being in charge of clubs and club outings at NSA.
Last month, students organized a 10k race for members of the Running Club, while the Climbing Club practiced their technical skills at an indoor rock climbing gym.
Other student clubs successfully planned day trips to a skate park in San Jose as well as Playa Esterillos for some epic surfing.
By organizing and participating in club outings in their areas of interest, students continue to develop healthy lifestyles, ownership of their processes, and an understanding that sometimes we need to put in some work to have some fun!
Last month, students organized a 10k race for members of the Running Club, while the Climbing Club practiced their technical skills at an indoor rock climbing gym.
Other student clubs successfully planned day trips to a skate park in San Jose as well as Playa Esterillos for some epic surfing.
By organizing and participating in club outings in their areas of interest, students continue to develop healthy lifestyles, ownership of their processes, and an understanding that sometimes we need to put in some work to have some fun!
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The other half of our students traveled to the untouched rainforests of Sarapiqui to study the art of Teaching English as a Foreign Language. Daily classes were planned by our English teacher, Brooke, herself certified and experienced in TEFL.
Students applied their new knowledge and skills with practice teaching at a nearby elementary school, where they also participated in community service.
To celebrate, students and staff took to the whitewater of the world-famous Sarapiqui River for well-deserved fun after earning their TEFL certificates!
Students applied their new knowledge and skills with practice teaching at a nearby elementary school, where they also participated in community service.
To celebrate, students and staff took to the whitewater of the world-famous Sarapiqui River for well-deserved fun after earning their TEFL certificates!
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Professional-level certifications are a required component of the New Summit Academy program, ensuring that students experience real-world, challenging learning outside of their amazing classroom experiences.
This week, a part of our student body chose to earn their SCUBA Certifications to meet that requirement. The palm-lined beaches of Playa del Coco in northwestern Costa Rica provided the backdrop for the course. Students began the week learning the fundamentals of Open Water diving and practicing hands-on techniques in the safety of the hotel pool before putting their learning into practice in the beautiful Pacific waters.
Coral reefs teeming with schools of fish were the rewards of the students’ work and dedication, along with their Open Water certification cards!
This week, a part of our student body chose to earn their SCUBA Certifications to meet that requirement. The palm-lined beaches of Playa del Coco in northwestern Costa Rica provided the backdrop for the course. Students began the week learning the fundamentals of Open Water diving and practicing hands-on techniques in the safety of the hotel pool before putting their learning into practice in the beautiful Pacific waters.
Coral reefs teeming with schools of fish were the rewards of the students’ work and dedication, along with their Open Water certification cards!
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The planning process for NSA’s first-ever professional development week involving members of all departments began more than a year ago, when a need for an integrated approach to training was identified. Staff members from all departments not only participated, but collaborated in the identification of themes for workshops and the development of engaging, hands-on learning opportunities.
Some of the themes of these important community-building workshops included: Communication, Work/Life Balance, Leadership Development, Diversity, and Supportive Immersion – the foundational approach which has guided our success at NSA from the start.
The week wasn’t all work, however, as each workshop integrated fun, relationship-building activities that promoted experiential learning. Faculty and Staff also dedicated an evening to further develop their interpersonal relationships at a celebratory all-staff dinner. The week was extremely valuable, and is certain to become a regular part of our professional development at NSA.
Some of the themes of these important community-building workshops included: Communication, Work/Life Balance, Leadership Development, Diversity, and Supportive Immersion – the foundational approach which has guided our success at NSA from the start.
The week wasn’t all work, however, as each workshop integrated fun, relationship-building activities that promoted experiential learning. Faculty and Staff also dedicated an evening to further develop their interpersonal relationships at a celebratory all-staff dinner. The week was extremely valuable, and is certain to become a regular part of our professional development at NSA.
