A Parent's Perspective of Northwoods
Recently Julie, mother of Northwoods student Connor wrote about her experience with Northwoods;

That morning I first looked at the Northwoods website and three words jumped out at me: "Zest for life."  I couldn't help but reflect that someone had chosen those words and it might say "something" about the people that our son, Connor, would meet at Northwoods.  I had no idea at the time how "dead on" that thought was." Fresh from a top notch wilderness program, Connor came to Northwoods with some apprehension.  Honestly, his first month was pretty rocky.  It took time for him to make friends and for the group to gel.  He tested the rules and got in trouble.  During that time Matt, Dave, the therapist and the staff stayed in fairly close contact with my husband and me.  Any concerns we had were welcome and met with not a bit of defensiveness.  Before long though, Connor was clearly thriving.  He made friends.  He loved the outdoor adventure aspect of the program, cliff jumping, sailing, hiking, biking, and kayaking just to name a few.  He took great pride in showing us the trail the boys had built around the property at the Sagle Farm.  Before long he was eagerly anticipating his time in Costa Rica.

The Costa Rica part of the program is truly extraordinary.  Dave Yeats calls it "enrichment"; I call it transformative.  What Dave and Matt started on a tent platform in the rain forest has grown  to 100 acres adjacent to the Children's Eternal rain forest with two houses including one where families are welcome to stay when they visit.  Toucans fly by and howler monkeys can be heard in the distance.  The vegetation is tropical and lush. 

Connor has thoroughly embraced the culture of Costa Rica.  He lives in a fairly typical Tico home with a warm, caring host family with three other boys of their own.  He attends school during the day at La Casa de Northwoods which is going quite well.  He is learning Spanish at a furious pace and working toward fluency.  The students explore the rain forest nearly everyday with staff guidance and Connor has learned a tremendous amount about the ecosystem of the rain forest.  They work each day on the property.  The week we were there they were clearing rocks from a field to use it as a soccer field.  Somehow Connor has gone from high risk behavior to yoga, soccer, surfing, and weight lifting. 
Connor
"He tells me that when he comes home he will be trying not to eat anything with partially hydrogenated oil.  What was that I had to ask myself!  Most significantly though, he is remarkably comfortable in his own skin, self-confident and very much focused on the future."

"Connor is nearly halfway through his year at Northwoods.  He will attend a local public high school in Northern Idaho upon his return from Costa Rica.  I expect it will be far less exotic than Costa Rica rain forest but that real world, re-entry aspect of the program appealed to us.  He is looking forward to snowboarding on Schweitzer Mountain and plans to play baseball this Spring, an opportunity he thought he had blown.  He hopes to return home for his senior year of high school."

"In closing we can not know what the future holds for Connor but we have great hope.  During a time of raw heartache we put allot of faith in people we didn't even know but struck us as sincere.  We trusted in a small school with big visions and tons of experience.  We are not wealthy but we have chosen to spend our money on what we most value, Connor.  At this point, it is hard to imagine that we will ever regret this remarkable year at Northwoods.  It will always be apart of who Connor is.  It will be apart of all of us."

"I call that, A ZEST FOR LIFE!"

"Wow! What an awesome experience! The people are so lovely and friendly, and the country is beautiful. Thank you for putting us up at the Northwoods cabina! Very peaceful nd relaxing. It's wonderful to spend time with Mark. "

"After 9 days enjoying the sights, sounds and tastes of Costa Rica, and specially the hospitality of the Northwoods family, we truly understand!!! PURA VIDA...Gracias to Hugo, Pat, Choco, Freddy (and his family) for laying the ground worte and then enabling us to enjoy our trip down here. Being able to spend such quality time with Taylor will go a long way in solidifying our family. We now have a new perspective and understanding of his experience in Costa Rica, and are found of the growth and naturality he's shown.We enjoyed the tranquility and the family time at "La Cabina Isla", and had a great vacation to the Central Pacific beaches. Both of my land locked sons can surf!!! Enjoy your little piece of paradise and thank you for sharing it with us ! "

"Last morning. Flight out tomorrow!!! Enjoying last "Café con Leche"on the patio. The sound of Cicadas and birds always present. This time could not have been better. Had dinner last night with Hugo and Dinia, wonderful home cooking. Also if you have a chance go to Hanging Bridges. parrots, monkeys, waterfalls, "the real deal"Finally a thanks to the whole Mendez family. They are wonderful!!! Gracias family!!! Our son Michael is blessed to be abble to spend time living with them. It really is PURA VIDA here at Northwoods La Tigra Costa Rica.

PS. Please take the time to sit on the porch in the evening, in the dark, just listen. "