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- Students and staff tested the limits of their physical abilities, which served as a reminder of strengths and capabilities even in the most challenging situations
- An incredible experiential learning experience! Students gained first-hand knowledge about cloud forest ecosystems by being IN a cloud forest, and about water currents by swimming through them.
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- Kayak students experienced true integration as one of our amazing Case Managers and resident sage, Marcel, taught about mangrove ecosystems, watersheds, and the tides on pristine beaches
- Students built important peer connections by vying for prizes in the Tent Partner Olympics
- A full moon, spectacular sunsets, and impressive rains punctuated this once-in-a-lifetime journey
- Students built important peer connections by vying for prizes in the Tent Partner Olympics
- A full moon, spectacular sunsets, and impressive rains punctuated this once-in-a-lifetime journey
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- Our newest students and staff engaged in the busiest round of turtle egg relocation in recent memory, according to the Turtle Conservation Director, Manuel. Seven nests were located, with over 700 turtle eggs placed in the hatchery.
- Students who exceeded Aventura expectations earned the opportunity of a night patrol, and were rewarded with finding a giant turtle nesting on the beach!
- In an amazing cultural-immersion experience, NSA students and staff put forth a valiant effort but ultimately were defeated 3 to 0 by the rubber boot-wearing team from our community service partners at Finca Osa Verde and Osa Conservation.
- Students who exceeded Aventura expectations earned the opportunity of a night patrol, and were rewarded with finding a giant turtle nesting on the beach!
- In an amazing cultural-immersion experience, NSA students and staff put forth a valiant effort but ultimately were defeated 3 to 0 by the rubber boot-wearing team from our community service partners at Finca Osa Verde and Osa Conservation.
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Each quarter, students embark on one of four Aventuras with therapists, Experiential Education mentors, and teachers joining them to make each experience truly integrated. Aventuras are some of the most effective components of the New Summit Academy program for encouraging student growth, community building, and for creating unforgettable memories. This round of Aventuras was a success in all areas. Here are some highlights as recounted by students and staff!
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Each year, nearly two million Costa Ricans express their faith and the importance of family in a pilgrimage to the Cathedral in Cartago (Basílica de Nuestra Señora de Los Ángeles), with some people walking hundreds of miles in the days approaching the holiday. As part of our Cultural Immersion program, our students and staff have participated every year for over a decade in the pilgrimage, though we don’t walk quite that far! Daisy works tirelessly to ensure that our students are prepared for and enjoy the experience, which is always a success!
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Our relationship with Hogar de Vida – our neighboring children’s home in Atenas – continues to provide our students with unforgettable opportunities to interact with children of all ages who give so much back to us through their joy.
Each week, Daisy, Vianney and staff from all departments accompany volunteer students to help to feed, care for and, most importantly, play with infants, toddlers and children from Hogar.
It is impossible to say who enjoys these interactions more, the children or our students!
Each week, Daisy, Vianney and staff from all departments accompany volunteer students to help to feed, care for and, most importantly, play with infants, toddlers and children from Hogar.
It is impossible to say who enjoys these interactions more, the children or our students!
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In preparation for the students' visit to Isla San Lucas, the island site of a former Costa Rican prison, Daisy and Vianney arranged for Don Jose to speak with our students.
One of the most famous writers in Costa Rica, Jose Leon Sanchez is the author of Isla de Los Hombres Solos, which tells the story of his wrongful imprisonment on the island for 20 years, until he was finally exonerated of his charges.
Meeting the author – a man who had lived through the struggles of the prison – allowed the students to view their visit through a personal lens.
One of the most famous writers in Costa Rica, Jose Leon Sanchez is the author of Isla de Los Hombres Solos, which tells the story of his wrongful imprisonment on the island for 20 years, until he was finally exonerated of his charges.
Meeting the author – a man who had lived through the struggles of the prison – allowed the students to view their visit through a personal lens.
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NSA is unique in its ability to combine Spanish language learning opportunities with an enriching and supportive Cultural Immersion program. Daisy and Vianney, our dedicated and passionate Spanish teachers and Cultural Immersion coordinators, have built a Spanish language program which meets grammatical learning objectives by preparing students with the vocabulary and background knowledge to participate in Immersion activities.
Our Experiential Education department mentors then engage our students in Immersion activities that serve both as a culmination of their weekly studies as well as one-of-a-kind cultural learning experiences.
Check out some of our recent Cultural Immersion activities!
Our Experiential Education department mentors then engage our students in Immersion activities that serve both as a culmination of their weekly studies as well as one-of-a-kind cultural learning experiences.
Check out some of our recent Cultural Immersion activities!
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Our Peru trip culminated in a journey to the sacred Incan site of Machu Picchu. Early in the morning, students boarded a train which snaked its way along the Urubamba River to the town of Aguascalientes, where we hopped on buses for the winding road to Machu Picchu. We spent the day learning about the history and architecture of this bucket-list wonder of the world and UNESCO heritage site, before returning to the Sacred Valley. On our final day, the owner of our guiding company, Piero, and his family welcomed us into their home for a celebratory barbeque!
Thanks to students, staff, families, and the wonderful guides at Terra Explorer for helping to make this year’s International Aventura to Peru such an amazing experience!
Thanks to students, staff, families, and the wonderful guides at Terra Explorer for helping to make this year’s International Aventura to Peru such an amazing experience!
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After our unforgettable experience with the Amaru community, students and staff geared up for a five-day hike among the snowy peaks of the Andes Mountains.
With the towering Ausangate always visible, the students showed true grit and resilience as we challenged our minds and bodies in daily hikes over spectacular passes, at times reaching an altitude of over 16,000 feet above sea level.
The hike wasn’t all struggle, however, as our hosts and guides took amazing care of us, meeting us at each site with warm tents, warm smiles, and – most importantly – warm, delicious food!
With the towering Ausangate always visible, the students showed true grit and resilience as we challenged our minds and bodies in daily hikes over spectacular passes, at times reaching an altitude of over 16,000 feet above sea level.
The hike wasn’t all struggle, however, as our hosts and guides took amazing care of us, meeting us at each site with warm tents, warm smiles, and – most importantly – warm, delicious food!
