Twenty Years of Memories at the Cloud Forest School

Our Students… “One of the last things we did before graduation was the last whole-school peace circle in which we, the eleventh graders, stood in the middle while other students and staff members told us their good memories and best wishes for us all! It made me realize how the school really engages with everything happening within it and how each and every student is neither more nor less important than any other. It made me see how everybody that works at or attends the Cloud Forest School is respectful and cares for each other!”          –CFS Graduate, 2011

Our Teachers… “My favorite memory was 6th grade class trip to San Gerardo.  We walked with our guide at night into the forest where we sat for half an hour in the dark, watching flashes of lightning and bioluminescent arthropods. The moulding leaves and decaying branches glowed–a light we rarely see in our world of electricity. Back at the station, a student looked at me, her eyes large and dark. ‘Oh my God, it is alive! The forest is alive. The trees are alive. When I sit in their branches, they are alive!!’”             –6th Grade Teacher, 2000-2001

Our Families… “It was fun to hear what my daughter had to say about her favorite memories at the CFS from nearly 2 years ago: ‘Dressing up in that tree house with my friend Maggie.  Making a book with Fabiana. Putting my hands in paint then putting my hands on paper then folding it in half with Esperanza. Going in the forest with all the kids.’”                     –CFS International Family

“Our favorite memory as parents was watching our children open up to the experience of learning a new language, new friendships, the beautiful landscape, loving environment and just being a kid!”                            –Summer Programs Participant

Our Visitors and Volunteers… “I have two powerful memories to share.  I planted a tree at CFS in 2009 and I thought it was cool.  But I didn’t really fully understand what an important act it was to plant that tree until I traveled to other areas of Costa Rica that had been cleared – there I saw whole sides of mountains collapsing as they eroded without any protective cover of plants and trees.  The beauty and incredible diversity of your country depend on you watching over your land and using its resources wisely.  I am so glad that you are there, protecting and enjoying the natural treasure that you have!

My other memory was of the hospitality of your wonderful teacher, Milton Brenes.  He encouraged me to keep trying to use the Spanish that I learned long ago and that I studied again before I came to Costa Rica.  We had a great conversation about environmental education.  I was inspired by your teacher to be more passionate about my teaching and I felt most welcome and valued by him as a fellow educator!”                 –Volunteer, 2009

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