Please stay tuned via email from Ms. Anna regarding our flight changes. One group will arrive around 10:15 PM and the other around 11:00 PM. Ms. Anna has already shared the email and will let you know if there are any further changes. We are all getting tucked into our hotel. Buenas noches! 

Another beautiful day here in Costa Rica!

I woke up feeling thankful for being able to experience another day of PURA VIDA and join your kids on this amazing experience. The days have been filled with activities, business, and valuable experiences! It has been so special for me to get to know every one of your children, and I have been amazed by how open-minded they have approached each new experience - like trying new food, being outside of their comfort zones, dealing with the heat, and pushing themselves to speak Spanish and be real risk-takers! 

Last night, many of us were awakened by a tropical rainstorm. I guess we are in the rainforest!  The morning bloomed hot and humid, and I enjoyed an early start with a peaceful cup of coffee:)

After another filling and delicious breakfast, the “leaders of the day” took us through AMP (analyze, manage, and prepare) to get us ready for the activities of the day. It has been really special to see the students take ownership of this process and display their communication skills with their classmates. 

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. 

Today, my community rotation group went to Lapa Verde (Green Macaw), a nature preserve down the street from our Eco Retreat in Chilamate. We began our session in the air-conditioned lab--a treat for all on an especially humid and hot day--where our host, Biologist Jonathan, showed us two macro videos made last year by the preserve. These beautiful videos taught us about two toxic bioindicating species native to this region, the Blue Jeans frog and the “Pretty Face” salamander. Both breathe through their skin, so they cannot survive in highly polluted environments. Jonathan’s love for his work is only surpassed by his knowledge, which he patiently and generously shared in Spanish and English with our group. 

During our learning session, students competed to identify the animals Jonathan had captured on the camera traps strategically placed around the preserve. I was so impressed with their animal naming skills, as well as their ability to compete fiercely about almost anything 😂 

We were able to see more of the preserve when we walked around the trails, deciding where to place new camera traps. In years past, we put the cameras on the trees with fabric straps. However, Jonathan explained that they now have to use locking cables and metal boxes for the cameras because poachers, assuming the cameras are there to catch them if they enter the preserve, have destroyed this valuable research equipment. 

Adventure Race

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 almost 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. 

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, milking a cow, I marveled at how kids could slide way out of their comfort zones, even if a few faces betrayed a humorously grossed-out expression.  Also, watching the kiddos dance (Nia rocks!) or attempting to dance (me) was entertaining.

Ending the day

After the race, we had a bit of downtime to relax and wash the sweat off to keep all these kids smelling fresh as daisies.....sort of.  We then enjoyed another amazing meal full of fresh fruit, rice, beans, chicken, and various vegetable dishes.  The food really is amazing.  American camps have a lot to learn!

Finally, after some reflections and news from our student leaders, we retired to peaceful slumber, or as close to it as you can get to that with 27 8th graders!

Señor Wenger 

Today marked our first full day in Sarapiquí at the Chila Mate Eco Retreat. From the moment we began winding up the long two-lane highway, we were steeped in the presence of life all around us.

The day began with a drive through Costa Rica’s only national park, learning about the vibrant biodiversity protected there and beginning to wrap our heads around just how interconnected life is in this country. The park contains over 6,000 plant species (half of Costa Rica's total) and more than 500 bird species, including the Resplendent Quetzal and the bare-necked umbrellabird. Our views of wildlife from the road were obviously limited, but we did enjoy beautiful waterfall views and broccoli-like trees superimposed on top of one another as far as the eye could see!

Back at the retreat, we were welcomed with wonderfully fresh food that somehow tasted even better in the jungle heat—fresh pico de gallo, fruta, shredded chicken, frijoles y arroz, crisp salad makings, and thick tomato slices drenched in olive oil and balsamic with rosemary and garlic. If today's culinary experiences were any indication of the norm around here, our meals will be a triple-threat highlight every single day!

Even before our first lesson with ethnobotanist Jaime, nature couldn't wait to put on a show for us. We watched leaf-cutter ants hard at work, spotted a sloth tucked high in a treetop, saw /heard a toucan, followed two macaws flying overhead, and even discovered an enormous iguana perched on a branch almost as thick as its body. Once settled in our outdoor classroom, Profe Jaime helped us understand the relationship between people and plants in Costa Rica. He demonstrated how to create temporary “tattoos” using the rich pigment from the lipstick plant, and then guided us through tasting and learning about ginger root, lemongrass, basil, lemon leaf, sour gherkins, guavas, and cinnamon leaf, among other bountiful and helpful plants in the region. Students sipped fresh coconut water from newly 'macheted' coconuts and savored homemade ice cream made from leche, cacao, cinnamon, coffee, and vanilla tucked inside frosty single-serving pouches. The students jumped in wholeheartedly—curious, adventurous, and willing to try just about everything.

After another amazing meal together, we gathered as a whole group for an evening discussion about our hopes and fears for the trip. We checked in on health and well-being, reflected on hydration and nutrition habits throughout the day, and discussed our responsibility as visitors to a place with such precious biodiversity. It was thoughtful, honest, and a reminder of how much growth can happen when you take kids beyond the classroom walls.

I know I speak for all of the chaperones when I say that I continue to be so proud of these students. They are embodying true IB risk-taking—adapting to new expectations at the retreat center, navigating the extreme heat and humidity, coexisting with bugs and flying creatures of every variety, and engaging thoughtfully in activities presented to them. They are showing curiosity, flexibility, resilience, and kindness toward one another in ways that make all of us incredibly proud.

Enjoy all of the photos—and make sure you scroll through the carousel--lots of pictures follow the first one shown! PURA VIDA and more adventuring to come!

Sra. Jessup