On Time in PDX! 

We are waiting at our gate in Portland after a successful reentry to the US! We should board on time at 2:00, take off around 2:30, and arrive in Redmond by 3:20. Please check the flight status closer to pickup: Alaska Flight 3003. We cannot wait to see you soon! Expect a tired, smelly, smiling crew. ¡Pura vida!

San Jose Airport! Bend, here we come!

We made it to the San Jose airport after a beautiful candlelight ceremony at the restaurant where we ate dinner. Our flight was delayed by 40 minutes, but we should begin boarding any minute. I will post an update if there is time at LAX-- remember that no news is good news! 

We spent our final hours using the last of our money at a little artisanal market the locals had set up just for us. Many last-minute souvenirs and gifts were bought—but I won’t say more, so I don’t spoil the surprise!

As I write this, we’re packing up and getting ready to leave this magical place. Before we go, we’ll have one final leadership session—'The Candle Circle'—a time to reflect on the past nine days, share our impressions and lessons, and recognize the personal growth and lasting impact this journey has had on us. 

After that, we’ll head to the airport, with one last dinner along the way, and begin our long trip home. Everyone is looking forward to giving their families big hugs - hasta pronto! 

Día 8: Community Engagement Rotations (Round 3)

Día 7: La Fortuna con Profe Ama 

"Gratefulness allows us to nurture a keener eye that no longer rushes past the small everyday moments that make up the larger part of our lives."

GURI MEHTA

Our day began with two surprise sightings! A sloth, nestled in the trees, likely the baby we spotted from last year, still within its home territory, as Mag explained, and a toucan hovering overhead, almost as if it were watching over us. From there, we zipped through the rainforest canopy, hearts pounding and laughter echoing through the jungle.

There were plenty of nerves before that first zip line (there were 11 in total), but soon they gave way to laughter, cheers, and a few joyful screams (mine included!) and many Pura Vidas. We all felt like Tarzan. Flying through the treetops with the rainforest stretching out in every direction. It was one of those moments that snaps you into the present and reminds you just how alive you truly are.

Full from a hearty meal of delicious comida tica lunch and joking that we won’t eat rice and beans for another year (or some of us, for real!), we headed to the volcano, and we made our way to the base of the volcano to visit the famed waterfall. Racing the oncoming storm, we descended the 500 steps in just eight minutes and completed the full round trip in a record-breaking 45 minutes. 

Then, we spent the afternoon exploring La Fortuna’s central plaza. Students picked up souvenirs, sampled Costa Rican snacks, and (unsurprisingly) ate some ice cream. As the skies opened up and cried, a huge lightning bolt of electricity hit the ground hard nearby and rattled us all. With luck on our side, we had a refreshing natural storm shower and swiftly hopped on the bus to head back to the jungle, our Costa Rican home. 

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world: indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."

MARGARET MEAD

As I sit down to write this, I’m filled with gratitude for this team, for this experience, and for each student who’s made this year unforgettable. These soon-to-be high schoolers have taken risks, asked big questions, and grown in ways that go far beyond the classroom. I started with most of them three years ago, and with proud tears in my eyes, I can’t believe it’s almost time to say goodbye. 

When I say that I am SO proud of this group, it’s an understatement. I’m returning home with a full heart and a profound appreciation for the people and the moments that have made this journey so meaningful.

Thank you to every student, every family, and our amazing leadership team for making this journey possible. It’s been a privilege to share in this chapter of your children’s lives. And though I'll miss the chorus of “Profe Ama?” ringing through the air, I leave this experience and past three years together feeling truly afortunada.

Un abrazo fuerte,

Profe Ama 

Día 6: Community Rotation Day 2 and Swimming in the Sarapiqui con Dr. Kruer

Día 5: Nature Hike and Whitewater Rafting with Mr. Cardwell

This morning, we broke into our four advisory groups and began the day with a hike through the rainforest adjoining our lodgings. Led by four local, seasoned naturalists, students were quietly led through a series of rugged trails, spotting an enormous variety of indigenous wildlife. Birds of prey, bullet ants, poison dart frogs, basilisk lizards, howler monkeys, iguanas, goldcup mushrooms, enormous termite nests, millepedes, bats, red-eyed frogs, and tropical birds with magnificent coloring were some of the highlights. Being led by trained experts in the field, students and teachers alike recognized that when slowing down and allowing all of our senses to adapt to the landscape and observe, it is incredible what lies right before us. There was much we had missed in our previous walks when we didn’t know how and what to look for. Now that we have all seen the incredible amount and diversity of wildlife directly around us, I know that we are all excited to continue the search with our newly trained eyes.

After a relaxing lunch back at the Eco-Resort, Seven Peaks students loaded buses for a fabulous whitewater adventure down the Rio Sarapiquí. Again, led by seasoned guides, our class navigated a series of Class 2 and Class 3 rapids over a solid stretch of water with lots of opportunities for swimming and wildlife gazing. It was a little taste of home for those who have had the opportunity to make their way down “Big Eddy” in Bend, although with a definite, local Central American feel. Wildlife looked somewhat familiar (cormorants, turkey vultures, herons, even a rare spotting of a Costa Rican white-tailed deer), but was fresh and novel in the luscious jungle environs. Also spotted on the trip were a beautiful pair of scarlet macaws flying overhead and the sound of toucans in the distance (heard but still, as of yet, unseen). The bounty of wildlife does not cease to amaze. In addition to the fun on the water, it was also a joy to witness the students engaging with the locals enjoying the river on a warm, tropical day. Students would send out a friendly “Pura Vida!” as our neighbors replied with a big smile and the same. The sense of community here is palpable. After a well-deserved mid-river snack of pineapple and cookies (a new favorite combo), we all returned to the grounds for a relaxing evening of low-key activities to prepare for another fun-packed day tomorrow.

Día 3: Connection, Culture & Community con Profe Ama

We’re officially in the rhythm of Pura Vida, and most of us even got more than three hours of sleep last night. Woo hoo!  

We awoke early to the sound of a torrential downpour around 4:00 a.m., but the steady patter of rain on the roof quickly lulled us back to sleep. We started the day with a vibrant breakfast of fresh, colorful tropical fruits, gallo pinto (of course!), fueling up for our very first day of activity rotations.

With our bellies full, we marched off to three different community locations. You'll get a closer glimpse of each of the rotations in the following blog posts. 

School Visit – A Cultural Celebration

But today I want to highlight one of the most heartwarming parts of our experience so far: our visit to the local school.

We were greeted with open arms and huge smiles and the entire school community. Primary kiddos from kindergarten to sixth grade put on a beautiful presentation for us. As part of their Festival de las Artes, they shared a traditional Costa Rican dance performance that left us inspired and full of joy. The energy, the color, and the pride in their culture were contagious.

Then, the magic of cultural exchange truly came to life. Our students were invited to join in on the dancing, not just the traditional dances, but also fun favorites like “Waka Waka,” which had everyone moving. In return, our SPS students taught them some of our own classics like the Macarena and a TikTok dance called “Apple.” We also shared songs we’ve sung together throughout the years, including “Pío Pío Pío” and “Como La Flor.”

After the music, we broke into smaller groups and played games like Simon Says and Duck Duck Goose. It was deeply moving to watch our students connect so naturally with kindness, warmth, and playfulness. Their gentle approach and curiosity with the local children reminded me exactly why I love teaching language and culture so much.

On the field, soccer games broke out with older kids, while younger ones laughed and played Red Light, Green Light. I’ll never forget the moments of pure connection — the giggles, the hugs, the spontaneous high-fives. Those echoes of joy will stay with us forever.

A few highlights:

•  Faustin gave his turn to a younger girl so sweetly who was bummed she was out of the game

• Maximo Jackson stepped in to help a child who fell, quietly, kind and present.

• Nick’s dance moves were unforgettable and brought so many smiles.

•  Juan Kian turned Duck Duck Goose into a theatrical event (no surprise there! ), delighting everyone.

• Peytona, Priya, and Cullen received hand-drawn art from a couple of the kids.

• Jude absolutely rocked out to “Pío Pío.” Music really does transcend language.

• Lisa, Liesl, Siete, Sevi, and Cameron stepped outside their comfort zones, joyfully joining in the dancing and warmly holding hands with many of the local students.

We ended our time at the school with a delicious lunch on campus and thoughtful conversations about the differences between the Costa Rican and U.S. educational systems. I was so proud to see our students not only asking questions in Spanish but also engaging in lunch-table conversations with genuine curiosity, both with the teachers and each other.

Afternoon Adventures – Ethnobotany in Action

Later in the day, just before our ethnobotany class began, we were lucky enough to spot a Jesus Christ lizard, named for its ability to run on water!

Our class introduced us to the wonders of native plants. We painted our faces with achiote, tasted sweet and bitter leaves, and explored the powerful scents of local herbs like strong basil and lemongrass. The experience ended with fresh cocos. Nothing tastes better after a warm day of learning.

Homestay Meals – A New Chapter of Connection

This year, for the first time, we’re doing homestay family meals, and what a powerful experience it has been. In groups of 3–4, our students visited nine different local families for dinner.

At my homestay meal with Nick, Teddy, and Ezra, I was moved to tears listening to their conversations — playing Uno, asking thoughtful questions in Spanish, and laughing together with their host family. The stories from all the students that came pouring out when we reunited on the bus were full of wonder, growth, and genuine connection.

Closing Our Day with Gratitude

We ended our day with our evening A.N.C.H.O.R. reflection circle, where gratitude was abundant. Our leaders of the day, Ethan, Teddy, and Sevi, did a beautiful job guiding us through the reflections. 

Each day here is unfolding into something more meaningful than we could have imagined. And, it’s only Day 3!

Día 2: Howler Monkeys, Adventure Race, and Appreciations con Dr. Kruer

Today we transferred from San Jose to the rainforest that will be our home in Chilamate for the next 8 days. The road here is windy and pops us in and out of the clouds. It’s incredible, if terrifying, to experience a mountain pass here in Costa Rica. As we drove, students remarked on the lack of shoulders and held their breath as we squeezed through spaces that would seem impassable in the States. As always, our driver delivered us safely to our new home in the Sarapiqui region.

When we arrived at the Eco Retreat, we met with the owner and caretakers of this jungle treasure. Then we settled into our rooms before enjoying our first Tica-style meal at CRER. Everyone always has enough to eat here, which I know our parents appreciate, is no easy feat with this crew!

Our schedule changed a bit today. Instead of starting with the Ethnobotanist (pushed back to tomorrow), we began with the Adventure Race, the perfect opportunity for the estudiantes to show their well-honed collaboration skills.

The initial test of their teamwork included being taped up together with their group members and walking as a unit to the “starting line” without breaking the tape! Then it was on to the 5 “passport control” stations in the local community. The students had to orient themselves with the map to the activities, which included learning about and tasting sweet yucca, flipping a raft over and climbing back into it, learning some local dance moves, making and eating their own tortillas, and even milking a cow!

This year, we did this all in Spanish! Students used their developing language skills with creativity, humor, and endlessly positive attitudes. I was able to witness so many special connections happening. Whether it was Audrey asking a little girl her animal favorito (it was a perro, by the way) or Isaac recalling the name of the two types of yucca (dulce y… no me acuerdo!).  

They also showcased how caring and reflective they can be. At the start of the activity, the classic middle school competitiveness launches us. However, quickly, we settle into the pura vida life that makes Costa Rica such an incredible place to visit. As I sat at the last station with my group, having just made a batch of tortillas ricas, which our host topped with a potato filling and complemented with sweet tea, we just sat together quietly, listening, smelling, looking at everything still to discover.

Arrival at the Eco Retreat