This weekend we bade a bittersweet farewell to our latest group of Outdoor Leader Semester Students.

Nine students from across the United States and Canada joined us in Costa Rica and Panama for a 65-day course. They trained in seven internationally-recognized outdoor certifications and learned to become leaders while participating in challenging, outdoor activities.

We have been privileged to watch their personal growth and are so proud of all they have accomplished.

“The whole course has inspired me,” said Daniel H. of Wake Forest, North Carolina. “Don’t settle in life. Follow your dreams!”

“To be a leader you must be sure of your own ability and decisive,” said Nick M. of Alberta, Canada on the lessons he took away from course.

“Everything else is secondary,” he added.

Sondra F. of Needham, Massachusetts said the most valuable lesson she learned on course was “to be me and let people not faze me.”

Rachel A. of Louisville, Colorado said she learned “to always believe in myself and my capabilities and never limit myself, [and] to never let fear stop me from trying new things.”

“My favorite memory is sitting on my surfboard out in the waters of Manuel Antonio,” said Luna T. of Alameda, California.  “The beautiful sun was setting right over the water, and I got to bob through the waves as I watched it go down.”

Devin B. of Ames, Idaho, said he was most inspired by “diving to 100 feet” during the scuba dive phase in Bocas del Toro, Panama.

“One of the middle days of hiking, looking out over all of the mountains we had vovered, it was just a great feeling of accomplishment,” said Liz D. of Wilder, Vermont on the group’s ten day hike through Central Costa Rica.

Above all, “don’t stop trying,” said Ilia C. of Saipan on her biggest take away from course.

“No matter how hard things get keep pushing yourself. The reward will be big in the end,” she added.

Congratulations to all of our 2015 Outdoor Leader Semester Students. We wish you the best of luck in all your future endeavors!