Morning in 'Merica

Well, we made it.  After 9 days, thousands of miles traveled, hundreds of insect bites, and dozens of gallons of sweat, we're all back in the friendly confines of our homes.  Hopefully all the students have had time to wash the sweat, grime, and DEET from their bodies in the first hot showers they've had in almost 10 days.  I'm sure they're also taking full advantage of sleeping late in beds not covered by mosquito nets and raiding refrigerators filled with food other than rice and beans.

I think I can speak for Ms. Inselberger, Dr. Wood, and Jeff Klemens when I say thank you to all the parents for encouraging and allowing your students to take this tropical journey with us.  Many of the experiences we had on this trip took the students far away from their usual comfort-zone.  While many were cautious and skeptical at times (eating termites?!?), they banded together and supported each other through the hottest, toughest, most slippery climbs.  I know that they gained respect for tropical forests  and the work necessary to preserve and restore these ecosystems.  Hopefully the respect gained in the ACG can be transferred to (and their work can continue in) their little corner of the world.  If nothing else, I think this experience has given them an amazing appreciation for the creature comforts you have been able to provide them with at home.

This was definitely a trip of firsts.  Over the course of our time in Costa Rica, we tried to keep track of all the "firsts" experienced by the students.  Each student kept their own exhaustive list, but we've compiled a sampling of their responses below.  (Numbers represent number of students who shared this first-time experience.)

19  First time eating rice and beans every day for a week.
18  First time in Costa Rica.
18  First time seeing monkeys in the wild.
15  First time surfing.
14  First time swimming in a hot spring.
13  First time riding in the back of a pick-up truck.
11  First time snorkeling.
8    First time swimming in the Pacific Ocean.
7    First time riding a horse.
6    First time planting a tree.
5    First time traveling outside of the U.S.
5    First time swimming in the ocean.
2    First time catching a scorpion.
1    First time being stung by a bee.
1    First time finding both a scorpion and a tarantula in your bed AT THE SAME TIME!  
0    Dan Janzen sightings.


Thank you for trusting us to guide your students on this journey, and thank you for the thoughtful gifts received upon our return.

SHS Jungle Team (Ms. Inselberger, Dr. Wood, Mr. Carlson)