Last week, a special visitor from Costa Rica graced our halls. The co-founder of Green Communities, our incredible partner organization, spent time with our students, experiencing daily life at Lake Tahoe School, and culminating his visit with a powerful presentation to our Middle School students and parents about the annual 8th-grade service-learning Winterim trip to Costa Rica.
The highlight of the presentation was hearing directly from several of our current 8th graders, who shared their firsthand experiences from Costa Rica. Their words painted a vivid picture of a journey that transcended a typical school trip, profoundly impacting their worldviews. As they eloquently put it, “It’s hard to put a trip like this into words… Costa Rica is a memory we are going to cherish for the rest of our lives… This trip was an incredible, unforgettable experience that significantly changed the lives of our class and opened our eyes.”
For the past three years, our 8th graders have embarked on a vital mission in partnership with Green Communities and local organic coffee farmers. This mission? To protect the endangered cloud forest of Costa Rica. This isn’t just any forest; it’s a crucial pathway for wildlife and a natural shield for the Savegre River, remarkably the cleanest river in Central America.
The presentation underscored just how critical this endeavor is. We learned about the incredible biodiversity of the cloud forest and the urgent need for its protection. The threat of deforestation and pollution from conventional farming looms large, jeopardizing both the forest and the pristine river. This is where Lake Tahoe School students step in, directly involved in a tangible conservation effort. Our LTS Student Council has been working to safeguard a precious 10-acre forest in the heart of Providencia, a testament to our students’ dedication and initiative.
But the impact extends far beyond environmental protection. Our 8th graders shared how their time in Providencia was not only fun but extremely educational. Every day was a new opportunity to learn more about the world. Beyond the ecological lessons, they emphasized the profound human connection. This cultural immersion, coupled with the breathtaking scenery and welcoming community, has provided our students with a deeper understanding of our environment and a broader perspective on the world.
Our partnership with Green Communities offers our students a unique “future opportunity” to experience firsthand what it means to be global citizens, taking action to protect our planet for future generations. This ongoing collaboration will continue to offer future LTS students the chance to embark on this transformative journey in 8th Grade.
The Costa Rica Winterim trip is a profound educational and personal growth experience. It’s about protecting nature, understanding our school’s vital role in conservation, and instilling responsibility for the planet. Our partnership with Green Communities empowers our students to become active participants in creating a more sustainable future, one endangered cloud forest, one clean river, and one opened mind at a time. We are grateful and proud to provide opportunities in shaping not just environmental stewards, but compassionate, globally aware individuals.
