Category: Sharing

Many years ago, Judy McKee visited Monteverde Friends School and shared the curriculum she was developing on whales.  Then, as often happens, went away wondering if it would be implemented; if she had made a difference.

Imagine her joy the day an envelope arrived from Costa Rica.  Not only was there a hand-written letter about how she was using the curriculum with her students, but also thoughtful gifts like an oxcart painting and shells from the beach.  Decades later, Judy has just reminded us of this beautiful connection:

When I visited your area so long ago I met a lovely teacher from your school.  I was full into writing and presenting my original curriculum on whales at the time.  Lots and lots of hands-on science connections were included.  She asked me to send the 50 page unit which I did.  All these years later I found her thank you note and the items she sent along with it.  On the back of the envelope she drew a huge whale.  I remember how pleased I was that she would use the curriculum.

It really is about connection.  Judy cared enough to visit and share her expertise, and the teacher made the effort to use those resources then reach back out with a gift of her own.  And then Judy brought her daughter and granddaughter to visit again this year, and shared the letter that she still treasures.  Our volunteers and visitors help create a web, a worldwide village to raise our children.  Gracias.

Speaking of volunteers, check out this photo of two recent volunteers trying to find and reclaim our garden:

It’s impossible not to do bird watching in Monteverde.  Whether you’re sitting in “silence” at a Quaker meeting, trying to concentrate on a science lesson, or enjoying a passion-fruit cheesecake at Stella’s Bakery, they’re all around, part of the visual and acoustic fabric of the community.  We wake up to their song, enjoy them on the walk to work, and, in the case below, weave them into our fundraising events.

During this year’s Caminata (walkathon), long-time Monteverde resident and current meeting clerk Katy Van Dusen took up a challenge to identify birds as she walked up to San Gerardo look-out.  Where some of us might be lucky to distinguish five or ten species, Katy identified an astounding 49 species.  We thought you might enjoy her list below (migrant species in bold):

1. Gray-headed Chachalaca

2. Black Guan

3. Black Vulture

4. King Vulture

5. Swallow-tailed Kite

6. Barred Hawk

7. Red-billed Pigeon

8. Band-tailed Pigeon

9. White-tipped Dove

10. White-collared Swift

11. Vaux’s Swift

12. Green Violetear

13. Steely-vented Hummingbird

14. Resplendant Quetzal

15. Blue-crowned Motmot

16. Keel-billed Toucan

17. Pale-billed Woodpecker

18. Yellow-headed Caracara

19. Brown-hooded Parrot

20. Crimson-fronted Parakeet

21. Yellow-belied Flycatcher

22. Boat-billed Flycatcher

23. Social Flycatcher

24. Three-wattled Bellbird

25. Long-tailed Manakin

26. Masked Tityra

27. Brown Jay

28. Blue-and-white Swallow

29. House Wren

30. Rufous-and-white Wren

31. Black-faced Solitaire

32. Orange-billed Nightingale Thrush

33. Swainson’s Thrush

34. Mountain Thrush

35. Clay-colored Thrush

36. Ovenbird

37. Olive-crowned Yellowthroat

38. Wilson’s Warbler

39. Slate-throated Redstart

40. Blue-gray Tanager

41. Scarlet-thighed Dacnis

42. Common Chlorospingus

43. Rufous-collared Sparrow

44. Yellow-faced Grassquit

45. White-eared Ground-Sparrow

46. Great-tailed Grackle

47. Yellow-crowned Euphonia

48. Yellow-throated Euphonia

49. Golden-browed Chlorophonia

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For a 12-year-old in Costa Rica, graduating from “Primeria” to “Collegio” is a major life milestone.  Last week we celebrated our grade 6 class in the last-day assembly, as well as a dinner party for families and another surprise party for departing teacher Emanuel Hemsi.

As with the grade 12’s, the ceremony made clear the important role that the entire community plays in educating these fine young students.  Teachers, parents, extended family, the Quaker meeting, the School Committee, administration, friends… all were thanked and applauded.  We also applaud that all these students have chosen to continue their education at our school, with the exception of two whose families are moving back to the U.S.

Please enjoy these photos of the graduation ceremony.  I wish we could also share the beautiful reflections that their teacher Emanuel presented about each student, and the warm embrace that the full meeting house shared in their applause.

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Our annual “Caminata” (walkathon) returned to an old favorite this year – 11km up to the San Gerardo overlook, with views of Arenal volcano and lake.  Evidently this was a popular decision, as we enjoyed an increase in participation and sponsorships.

Student participation rose from 55% to 73%, and 85% of parents took part either walking or volunteering.  And the amount raised increased by 50% to $5,400.  This support will enable us to move forward with a great music and arts program, with amazing new teachers filling both those roles (welcome Hugh Grey and Pili!)

Of course, what better way to describe the fun, fatigue, art, food, and community than through these photos?

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Looking for a summer camp in Costa Rica that is fun, cultural, musical, sunny, lets you practice or learn Spanish/English, and throws in the occasional beach or volcano?  Look no further than Monteverde!

For the full month of July (in fact, starting June 17 for local youth), we are partnering with the Far Corners Musical Theater Society to create a one-of-a-kind summer camp experience.  Mornings we’ll explore Monteverde’s unique mix of Costa Rican and Quaker culture, work on Spanish/English, play, sing, explore the rainforest, and enjoy.  Afternoons we’ll work on a full-scale Broadway musical production – Les Miserables (School Edition), to be performed July 28-30.

Click here for cost and registration details.  Read on below for more enticement…

Musical Theater Production

The centerpiece of the Costa Rica Musical Theatre Camp is a full production of Les Miserables (School Edition), performed primarily in Spanish. Working alongside local students, you will spend your days rehearsing, sewing costumes, building sets, and immersing yourself in every aspect of the production.

All participants who want to perform (except one week participants) will be cast in the show.  If your prefer to spend your time behind the scenes, you may choose to focus on technical theatre, play in the pit orchestra, or assist with direction or choreography.

Past productions have included The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, In The Heights, Once On This Island, and Little Shop of Horrors.

Morning Program

The morning program is designed specifically for international and local students by the Monteverde Friends School. With a focus on learning about Costa Rica culture, it will include Spanish practice, bilingual games and activities, and outings to the cloud forest. In addition, the program will include campfires and a trip to the beach or volcano (July 21-22).

Homestay

“My Spanish is so much more fluid and I am 100 times more confident than I was before staying with my host family. Maybe it was just that my family was so wonderful, but I can’t think of anything that could have gone better.” – Katherine

Many of our international participants find that their homestay experience is the most powerful element of their time in the community.  Through your new family, you will have the chance to enjoy local food and customs, see the town from a uniquely intimate perspective, improve your language skills, and make lifelong friendships that cross cultural boundaries.  You will be placed with an experienced host family connected to our partner school, the Monteverde Friends School.

This is a fantastic opportunity to truly experience another culture and feel like a local.  If you want to improve your Spanish fluency, your homestay will provide true Spanish immersion.  However, if you not yet confident speaking Spanish, we will place you in a household where at least one family member is fluent in English.

About FCCMT

Far Corners Community Musical Theatre (FCCMT) stages musicals in communities where, due to economic limitations or geographic isolation, opportunities for participation in the arts have been limited or nonexistent. FCCMT volunteer staff members act as the producers, directors, musical directors and choreographers.  The cast and crew are drawn from the local community as well as international program participants. FCCMT has been putting on musicals in Monteverde since 2005.

Click here for cost and registration details

Also, note that we are offering Academic Summer Camps from June 15-July 1.  Whether you’re looking for some catch-up remedial help, enriched learning challenges, or just to brush up on your Spanish or English skills, our new summer academic camps are for you. Don’t worry, there will be plenty of games and activities and outings to make it fun as well as educational!