Education First: MNW (2024)

21/02/2020

150 days until our tour!! Still looking for more fundraiser opportunities!!

25/01/2020

Great turnout tonight! Thank you to all for helping to promote and making the night a success. Ireland got a little closer tonight!! GO COUGARS!!

20/01/2020

We are exactly 6 months away from departure to Ireland!! Please share our Brushes with Bob paint night this Friday with any and all who may be interested. Happy Monday everyone!!

25/09/2019

Definitely trying this one again. Thank you all for joining our happy little painting session.

19/06/2019

Overall this trip was something very special we can all hold onto forever. Getting the kids home safe always feels really good for me and the fact that you all lend me your trust to take care of these little humans of yours as we adventure outside of the country means more to me than I could ever put into words. I sincerely hope these experiences change the course of your kids' lives and it helps them to become more goal oriented, inspired to travel, in tune with the world outside of Iowa and yes, even more aware of themselves and what they are capable of. It will always be a joy of mine to explore the world with kids and share with them experiences that will inevitably help to shape them into better people. I think Costa Rica gave us all a fresh new perspective on life and how are compassion has the power to change everything we know. One last big THANK YOU to all of you for helping to make this trip possible. Pura Vida and GO COUGARS!!

19/06/2019

Few more of our zip line adventure

18/06/2019

Last day we headed back into the cloud forest for some rafting. We stopped along the way to try some new fruits with some very interesting textures. Some were sweet and some were sour but the kids all gave them a try. Hit the river with our guide Jaime who was awesome (no surprises there). The river had some consistent rapids and some spots for us to jump out and swim. Very refreshing with that sun coming down. Some of us feeling that sun burn more than others. Had dinner across the street from the hotel and packed up. Been an amazing trip with a whole lot to reflect on. Thank you once again parents for making this happen. The kids all were sad to say goodbye to their new friends but we are excited to get home to all of you and our pets. See you soon!!

18/06/2019

In Houston waiting for our connection. We are on time and scheduled to land in Des Moines at 450. Kids just got their first taste of American food in 9 days, they’re happy. See you soon parents!

18/06/2019

Through security, waiting to board. We’re coming home..

18/06/2019

Caleb wanted me to post this..

18/06/2019

Today we toured Sarchi which Karina called the artist town of Costa Rica. The colors and the style of this art was so vivid and bright. We also were able to visit an ox cart facility where ox carts are still manufactured. The history of the ox cart in Costa Rica is a very proud tradition in this country and its evolution is even more fascinating from where they started. We checked back into our original hotel in San Jose where the kids got some time to relax by the pool or nap before heading up some steep hills to a really nice restaurant that overlooked all of San Jose. Beautiful. Fate would also have it that Costa Rica was playing Nicaragua in the gold cup just off in the distance at the country's largest stadium. Soccer is a little bit of a big deal over here, a second religion even. Costa Rica ended up winning 4-0 which made a few people very happy. The folklore evening at the restaurant was really something. The dancers were so much fun and they put their culture on display with not only their moves but their outfits which were very bright and beautiful. They progressively got more kids and people involved in the dance and even managed to get Caleb dancing in the middle of everyone with a broomstick and he delivered. They finished up and started playing some more traditional American pop music for the kids to boogie to. Safe to say they all enjoyed the evening. Tomorrow we hit the river and finish up with one last dinner right here by the hotel. Still difficult to put in words what this trip has been and what it will do for these kids and their life perspective. I am eternally grateful that you all allowed your kids to be a part of something so special. Im excited for you to pick them up and hear for yourselves how much this time in this wonderland has given them confidence, independence and an appreciation for a life well lived.

Buenos noches for now.

17/06/2019

not bad

17/06/2019

Preeeeetty cool

16/06/2019

Saturday June 15

Buenos Tardes

we kicked off our day with that amazing view of the pacific once again and a mucho delicioso breakfast to get us moving. Today was the day I feel the kids were most looking forward to because it was beach day. Manuel Antonio park had everything from trails to beaches to wildlife and so much more. The beach we stayed on was gorgeous and the water made swimming a breeze as it allowed us all to float effortlessly in it. We almost swam across the Atlantic (not really), we buried Quinn and he was reborn, we were swarmed by hungry monkeys and one of our kids from Alabama, Malik, had to swat one off after trying to nab his sandwich (very common), Maddie dropped her phone in the ocean(fortunately we recovered it and it was fine), we serenaded the entire beach with American tune favorites, we played chicken with the incoming tide, some of us got fried despite applying layer after layer of sunscreen and we tasted plenty of salt the entire time. Afterwards we loaded up and had a great lunch at El Avion which had a plane as the centerpiece of the restaurant. It was open to the outside of course and had its own amazing view to gaze at. They had an artist there who carved wood pieces big and small and was he incredible. Everyone passed out on the way home but we still hit the town for some ice cream then grabbed dinner at the hotel and took in the beach for one last sunset. Crazy how quick this thing has gone but the memories will always stay with us. We have two more nights in San Jose before making the jump back into the United States with shopping and our folklore evening tomorrow and white water rafting on Monday.

Pura Vida

16/06/2019

Amazing day. Rode the sky tram, saw some amazing wildlife, caught the crocodile boat tour and the most amazing sunset over the pacific. More info on it all tomorrow.

Left El Estabo early in the am to make our way over to the Sky Tram/Wildlife hike where we did all kinds of learning about Crocs, frogs, snakes and butterflies. On the way there we stopped at a souvenir shop where an artist was actively painting small canvases and it was impressive to say the least. He also painted the walls around the shop which were also immaculate. It wasnt long before reaching our destination and pulling in we saw a black iguana which are considered pest here and a toucan which I was actually able to get a shot of. Both of our guides on these tours were extremely passionate about sharing about the wildlife that inhabits their country. We kind of barely saw (again) a sloth as it was tucked away in a tree sleeping but better than nothing. It is really neat how much this country values all species and how they go to extra lengths to preserve it. The butterfly house was pretty neat on the tail end of the tour. I only wish Kaelynn was here to see it. We stopped for fresh leaches (strawberry looking fruit) and avalcados which definitely beat the store bought kind and saw some howler monkeys on the way in to Jaco where we set up for the night. The sunset was... wow. The colors in the sky were like a picture and the sound of the waves of the pacific ocean were like music. Dinner was awesome and then we called it an early night. Beach day on the agenda for tomorrow!! Adios mi amigos.

14/06/2019

Thursday June 13

Buenos Dias!!
Woke up to the incredible view that is El Estabo to meet Lauren, Quinn and Maddie for a dip in the pool while Maddie
got some miles in on the treadmill. The sunset in the background of the pool left me speechless. Lauren rescued a
a mouse from the pool and Quinn gave the pool his stamp of approval. Thats a thing now. We ate an amazing breakfast
and were off to check out an in depth look of the cloud forest. The guide informed us that there are thousands of species
of both plants and animals that call the forest home with 5 breads of large cat in the mix but they stay clear of the path.
We were treated with something very special while we were there by seeing the fabled Quetzal; Costa Rica’s most sought after bird. Karina told us since joining EF in 2000 this is the second time she has ever seen one in person. We saw the female as she was tending to her young in an artificial nest. A group of bird watchers recorded the male about 30 minutes earlier do the same. It was a sight to see for sure. Quinn and Lauren tried the moss because we were told it holds clean water. They could have simply just licked it but they went that extra mile and chewed it. Caleb got innovative and used his sweatpants as sleeves while it was raining so gotta give him some innovation points. After that we went to check out the zip line experience and got some great footage there and met some colorful new friends (Lauren knows their names) who stand guard at the compound; a pair of beautiful parrots who are not indigenous but have sustained a healthy lifestyle there. The zip line was exhilarating and the kids all had a positive review but weren't huge fans of all the steps. It was a series of lines that led up to the big drop which was INTENSE. I will get that goPro footage on here when I can. We grouped up and hit the bumpy road on our way to plant our own trees. I was in a group with Caleb, Maddie, Quinn and a few other randoms and we named our tree Albanon (Quinn’s idea). Laruen and Drea were in another group and named their baby Lettuce Kelly. I figured Lauren would jump on the opportunity to name her’s something strange. Karina said we would always have babies in Costa Rica after planting those and Quinn replied with “Do we have to pay child support?” Oh that kid. Another day in the books and more memories to hold onto. This trip is flying by as we head to our next hotel tomorrow on the beach of the Pacific coast, tackle the sky tram over the canopy and take our Crocodile Jungle Safari Boat Cruise. Should be a good one. Thank you parents for allowing me to share this with your amazing humans. I have already seen a shift in their thinking and appreciation for this wonderland as well as the one they have back at home in Iowa.

Buenos noches los padres.

13/06/2019

Day 4 here in Paradise got started with us loading up the bus and biding farewell to our friends in La Fortuna which included our cooks, hotel managers and the two gigantic rabbits who call the hotel home. On our way to Monteverde we stopped to take an empanada class but the coolest part was the dog. He was a lovey pup. Took some whindy roads (thank goodness for our top notch driver Jose) to find our way into San Pedro where we set up shop at the prestigious El Establo which immediately won the kids over. The food was great at lunch and even better at dinner. Our hotel is a huge building that holds just our group and overlooks the Pacific ocean from our balconies(picture tomorrow). Not bad. We are literally spending the night in what is considered the cloud forest of Costa Rica. Absolutely breathtaking. After lunch we made our way to a local farm where we saw all kinds of animals and fields that is run by a family of 14. It started 8 years ago with just horses but has grown into so much
more. Lauren was probably the most entertained by the animals as she entered the chicken coop and immediately scooped up the biggest rooster for some pictures. Maddie saw a different side of farm life that was quite the contrast of what she knows back home but showed a lot of appreciation for it. The sugar cane production was another spectacle to see. Our guide Jessica was awesome (no surprise there) and allowed us to make tortillas, add their
sugar to some authentic Costa Rican coffee and even make caramel. Oh, and they had a dog too, Spike. He was really
good at fetch.
The kids are really starting to come out of their shells and open up to not just the other members of the group, but the rich culture of this magical country. Little by little they are using their Spanish to express gratitude and manners to the people who are making our experience what it is. We stopped in the downtown area for half an hour for some
shopping and I ran into a native who ran a business for 20 years 10 minutes from where I call home in Illinois. Small
world over here. We got back to the hotel for an amazing meal and some free time. Plenty of smiles going around with
these incredible kids who continue to exceed expectation. Tomorrow we plant a tree, zip line and get an in depth look of the cloud forest and its wildlife.

Adios for now

12/06/2019

Hola!!

Another early morning here in Central America with some early rain and what even seemed like a monsoon a little
later. The last group from Oklahoma got in last night after a cancelled flight, delayed flight AND lost luggage but they were in good spirits despite their obstacles. Really all of the groups have been amazing; kids and leaders. Our whole group is representing from Alabama, Pennsylvania, North Dakota and now Oklahoma. It has been great seeing the kids interact with them and begin the early stages of friendship with these incredible kids.
We got some scrumptious breakfast in our bellies before hopping on the bus to check of the Rain forest Chocolate Tour in La Fortuna. Our tour guide (again) had a fun way of presenting chocolate production and educated us on its history. The cacao(chocolate) plant was first put into production in the early 1500s in Brazil but sugar cane was not added until years later in Central America. A lot of pride is taken here in Costa Rica with how far commercial chocolate production has come. We spit seeds, saw them dry, roasted them, mixed them with sugar cane, melted it and topped it to taste it. Muy delicioso. Afterwards we trekked across town to kayak but were refused because of the lightning/monsoon (its rains here a lot) only to be rescheduled for 2:30 so we hit the waterfall instead. Holy steps. We caught a great view of not one but two waterfalls which is rare for that location. Karina informed us that it was the result of global warming and too much
water at one time. With the oceans getting too hot they tend to see a lot of the immediate aftermath here in Central
America. All of the Costa Ricans we have met are very environmentally conscious and all look to do their part to eliminate needless waste and care for all of the life that calls Costa Rica home. The water at the falls was brown because of all the sediments rinsed away from the rain water otherwise we would have been able to swim at the
base of the falls. The trip back up the steps after seeing the falls proved challenging but we all made it. We got back to the hotel for some rice and beans (Caleb’s favorite) and loaded back up to tackle our kayaking expedition. Our guide Carlos was great and kept us safe as we raced across the man made Lake Arenal (85 square kilometers) for a refreshing dip where Caleb claims to have broken his toe (he didnt) after him and Quinn tried jumping off a log. He will live. We also met a new furry friend who saw us off and welcomed us back after returning. A rainbow found its way through the clouds while floating in the shadow of the volcano which was breathtaking. After returning
to shore we dried off only to arrive at the Basil hot springs for another dip. This place was amazing with hot and cold pools everywhere. It was never ending with all of the different places to relax and enjoy the water.
Everything here in Costa Rica is open to the outside with the temperature here never dipping below 32 degrees which still seldom ever happens. We have enjoyed solid 70-80 degrees since arriving here with high humidity but its hard to complain with the beauty absolutely everywhere. It is a safe bet that the kids enjoyed the hot springs. We got back to the hotel around 7:00 for
dinner at 7:30 and now the kids have some free time to either catch an early bed time or just take a load off. A lot of activity today but the kids did great. Crazy thinking we still only have seen a sliver of the magic that Costa Rica has to offer. Tomorrow we pack up and head to Monteverde where we will check out a local farm after the kids get
a chance to make their very own empanadas.

Pura Vida (live your best life, the Costa Rica modo)

12/06/2019

Monday June 10th

Hola los padres!

Sorry for the late update but the wifi here at this hotel is really spotty. I tried to send you one Monday night after we got back but no luck. Our first full day was filled with fun and learning experiences. We started our day off with the Britt coffee tour where our guides were absolutely hilarious but gave a very in depth look at what Costa Rica coffee production is all about. Afterwards we found our way to lunch at a really neat little hut and the food was delicious. The fruit juice was a little pulpy but still very good. The humidity was something else up there and we started to feel the sun as well. We got to see some quick wildlife before hopping on the bus for a few hours on our way to La Fortuna to see the active volcano. We took a short hike to the limit where they would not let you continue just in case the volcano did go active again. It has erupted 40 times since 1828, including April 2017 when visitors and residents were evacuated. Before 1828 the locals simply thought it was a mountain.

We found our way to our hotel where we got to eat some dinner and hang out by the pool before we took on our night walk which was fascinating! We saw snakes, spiders, frogs, turtles, butterflies and Maddie thinks we saw a sloth (we didnt). Our guide Daniel was hysterical which seems to be the trend with all of our guides. Then it was back to our cabanas to call it a night. We anticipate an awesome day tomorrow with some kayaking, chocolate knowledge, waterfalls and hot springs in store for us.

Hasta manana.

11/06/2019

Hey parents, sorry for not updating you last night, the WiFi here is spotty at best. Tried to connect last night when we got back but no luck. I have the update written and the pictures edited ready to post so when I get a decent connection I will put it on here. Thank you for understanding. We are off to kayak and hit the hot springs here in a few. I can assure you we are in good hands with Karina. If you do have contact with your kids please continue to encourage them to expand themselves, interact with the other kids, keep an open mind and enjoy their moment!! Adios for now.

10/06/2019

Greetings from Costa Rica!! We made it safe with almost no issues; Quinn was apprehended at the border for the apple in his bag but they let him off with a verbal warning. Whew. The flights went smoothly and the kids are all pretty excited to be here. Our tour guide Karina is already awesome and hilarious which will make for a memorable tour. We met one of the other groups who flew in from Alabama and their group leader Shelly seems amazing. The other two groups were faced with some obstacles but we will get to meet them tomorrow when we check out the coffee plantation and Paos Valcano which is an active volcano here in San Jose.

The kids are already trying to put to use some easier Spanish words and phrases which will be encouraged throughout the tour. No pictures to share today as we landed around 9:00 but no complaints considering customs was a breeze. We ate a quick dinner at Dennys since it was attached to the hotel and now the kids are tucked away and its safe to say they are all pretty tired from the traveling. Ready for tomorrow's adventures!!

Buenos Noches los padres

09/06/2019

Landed in Houston, got a few hours till our connecting flight. Kids are all smiles.

29/05/2019

Quick reminder about our last pre departure meeting happening a week from today (Wednesday June 5) here in the art room. I have a few things to hand out and communicate a few other things to both kids and parents.

11 days!!!!!

21/05/2019

oh yeah, WE GOT A GO PRO!!!

21/05/2019

Hotel Info while on tour including addresses and phone numbers to the hotels:

Sunday, June 9
1st night in San Jose (1 night)
Check in at Best Western Irazu
General Canas Hwy KM3, San Jose
+506 2290 9300

Monday-Tuesday June 10-11
San Jose Region, Arenal Region (2 nights)
Check in at Cabanitas
La Fortuna, San Carlos
+506 2479 9400/ +506 2479 9343

Wednesday-Thursday June 12-13
Monteverde (2 nights)
Check in at El Establo
+ 506 2645 5110

Friday-Saturday June 14-15
Pacific Coast (2 nights)
Check in at Balcon del Mar
Boulevard de Jaco
+506 2643 2369

Sunday-Monday June 16-17
San Jose Region (2 nights)
Check in at Best Western Irazu
General Canas Hwy KM3, San Jose
+506 2290 9300

07/05/2019

Here is your order form. These are due Friday the 10th in the office.

06/05/2019

Still looking for T-shirt sizes from most of you. I am also going to need printed receipts for the trip so I can get you all your fundraiser checks. Let’s make the goal to get both by the end of the week.

03/05/2019

Alright calling all humans!

I would like to get our shirt order in before the graphic edge is bombarded with State Track shirts. These could be for the kids, parents, friends of the family or anyone who just enjoys the design. We are going with 3 garments; the hoody($23.00), the t-shirt($12.00) and the tank top($15.00).

If you would please comment with quantities of which garment along with sizes. I can put the order in and send the kids home with order forms to make it official so I can put in a P.O. with the school.

Looking to give numbers to the Graphic Edge early next week. Thank you all.

37 days!!!

Education First: MNW

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