Life Lessons in Costa Rica's Rainforest
Classroom
By AIMÉE
BLANCHETTE, Star Tribune
The food was "amazing," the research
"interesting" and the scenery
"breathtaking." All helped make the
experience "life-changing." Eight students
from Mound-Westonka High School recently
returned from a 10-day scientific trek deep
in the rain forests of Costa Rica.
There, they worked with a scientist to
research leaf-cutter ants as part of the
second annual Westonka Summer Institute.
They also fit in a soccer game with the
local villagers, painted a community health
center, delivered school supplies to local
students, and dodged snakes and downpours.
"The people had the biggest impact on me;
they are so in touch with the land around
them," said Leeja Miller, who would like to
return to Costa Rica to teach English. "As
we were leaving, I thought, 'This isn't the
last time I'm going to see this place.'"
The students stayed in cabins at Finca La
Anita Rainforest Ranch, a macadamia and
flower plantation surrounded by rain forest.
Finca La Anita occupies property that was
developed by a group of Minnesota investors
more than 20 years ago to employ farmers and
sustain a high-value crop without the annual
destruction of rain forest for farmland.
Tourists who want a vacation beyond the sun
and surf can stay at the ranch to learn
about the environment and the needs of rain
forest inhabitants.
"It's so hard to put the environment of this
area into words," April Frady wrote in a
blog entry documenting the trip. "Driving
through all the small little villages it's
easy to see how important the surrounding
community is and how connected [the people]
are to each other."
The students' blog, www.getjealous.com/westonkacostarica,
was used to update family and friends about
their experience. Their daily entries also
gave them an outlet to rave about the local
fare.
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