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Testimonials
“I cannot begin to describe the incredible life-changing experiences Casey has shared with our family. I know her time was well-spent – a perfect blend of fun and service. Not only did she learn and live the culture of Costa Rica, she also has made some special friendships that I have no doubt will be lifelong.”
Lori OrzechMother of Casey Orzech
Regis Jesuit High School, Colorado
“Walking Tree does a great job. You have a wonderful rapport with kids, you teach them the value of community service and help them learn to work cooperatively together.”
Mary Beth Garel
Mother of Jill Garel,
Cherry Creek High School
(The Walking Tree program is) an excellent opportunity for these young people to realize they have a lot, and therefore have a lot to offer other peoples we share the earth with.
Kevin Smith, Parent
Bellarmine College Prep
California
It was everything we thought it would be for her and as advertised, providing a personal challenge and exposure to another culture and way of life out of her comfort zone.
James Vucinovich, Parent
Bellevue High School
Washington
She was really impressed with her leaders. With her entering her senior year the caliber of her leaders education was really impressive to her.
Molly Nielson, Parent
Mercer Island High School
Washington
The experience was a great one for her… we wanted her to experence life outside the US (in a safe environment) where she could see first hand that the world is full of different peoples, cultures and conditions. This is a big part of ‘education’.
Wolf von Russow, Parent
Regis Jesuit High School
Colorado
Within minutes of my son’s return, it was evident that he experienced a once in a life time opportunity for personal growth and cultural development that could never be achieved by spending the summer at home.
James Sisto, Parent
Drury High School
Massachusetts
“Walking Tree does a great job. You have a wonderful rapport with kids, you teach them the value of community service and help them learn to work cooperatively together.”
Mary Beth Garel
Mother of Jill Garel,
Cherry Creek High School
(The Walking Tree program is) an excellent opportunity for these young people to realize they have a lot, and therefore have a lot to offer other peoples we share the earth with.
Kevin Smith, Parent
Bellarmine College Prep
California
It was everything we thought it would be for her and as advertised, providing a personal challenge and exposure to another culture and way of life out of her comfort zone.
James Vucinovich, Parent
Bellevue High School
Washington
She was really impressed with her leaders. With her entering her senior year the caliber of her leaders education was really impressive to her.
Molly Nielson, Parent
Mercer Island High School
Washington
The experience was a great one for her… we wanted her to experence life outside the US (in a safe environment) where she could see first hand that the world is full of different peoples, cultures and conditions. This is a big part of ‘education’.
Wolf von Russow, Parent
Regis Jesuit High School
Colorado
Within minutes of my son’s return, it was evident that he experienced a once in a life time opportunity for personal growth and cultural development that could never be achieved by spending the summer at home.
James Sisto, Parent
Drury High School
Massachusetts
Dear walking tree staff, Nora Engel-Hall ( Costa Rica Immersion B) LOVED every day, every moment of her experience. She came home yesterday ebullient, filled with gratitude for the" family" their group created together and thrilled and moved deeply by the closeness she experienced with her home stay family. She loved the hard work,( her particular expertise became mixing concrete, something she is sweetly proud of.) She enjoyed playing endless games of tickle tag with the village children, the beauty of the environment, the intimacy with her host family, her spectacular little brother and sister, the hikes to waterfalls, zip-lining and rafting, the fabulous role model-ness of the leaders,Marc and Kaitlin, and she cared deeply about every group member…in fact she has spent the better part of today trying to electronically connect to as many folks from the trip as she could scare up on skype or facebook. So thank you for organizing this great experience…Further, Nora’s spanish is very strong after 2 weeks with her spanish only family home-stay. Nora confided to me this morning that wants to grow up to be a combination of Marc ( who she swears is just a misplaced Engel-Hall family member who for some wild reason we’ve never met ) and Kaitlin. What a great adventure she had. Kudos to all of you!
Barbara Engel, Parent
University of Chicago Laboratory Schools
Illinois
Michelle’s trip to Costa Rica was life-changing, from the friends she shared the trip with to the amazing family that hosted her in Las Brisas. She has a real feeling of accomplishment from the community service they did.
Laurie Jacobs, Parent
Grosse Ile High School
Michigan
(Our daughter) loved the homestay especially and found that experience to be really wonderful on many levels.
Ellen and Vance Hinch, Parent
Loudoun County High School
Virgina
(When asked about his trip, my son) said that in terms of excitement, it was a “9″. Coming from a teenager that’s been fortunate to have been on a lot of adventurous trips, this was quite a statement!
Lisa Bailey, Parent
Centaurus High School
Colorado
Even though Casey was on the other side of the world, the regular communication from Walking Tree during her trip eased any worries. And I loved living vicariously through Walking Tree’s blog. Thanks for always remembering the families behind the intrepid travelers.
Jodi Coviello, Parent
Boulder High School
Colorado
It was a greating “growing up” experience for my son. I don’t think he will ever forget this trip.
Aimee Vals, Parent
Regis Jesuit High School
Colorado
It was more than a vacation – I was a Costa Rican for 3 weeks. I learned that although we are different people, we are not actually different from them. The love of their family, their community and their culture is the same love that we have for our family, community and culture.
Arnaldo Agcaoili, Parent
Bellarmine College Prep
California
My daughter’s favorite part of her Costa Rica trip was the home stay. She learned so much about another culture and grew so close to her family. It is an experience that will stay with her forever.
Mary Singer, Parent
Colorado Academy
Colorado
My son Kerry loved his Costa Rica experience so much–the travel, the interaction with the other participants, his host family–that it took him a while to get over the fact that the experience had ended. A great, great program.
Quentin Martin, Parent
Cherry Creek High School
Colorado
Your program provides the perfect balance of language immersion, community service, tourism and cultural immersion.
Kelly Baragar, Parent
Princess Anne High School
Virginia
"Two of my children have taken a Walking Tree trip (independent of each other). In both cases and for different reasons, these trips were truly life changing. As a family, we have traveled a lot, however the Walking Tree experience gave them a self confidence and worldliness that will benefit them through life."
Ann Swanson, Parent
Colorado Academy
Colorado
“My experience in Costa Rica was amazing in so many ways. It is impossible to describe how rewarding it was to overcome the various challenges we faced, but I know that the trip has forever changed me and the way I view the world. I’ll never forget it!”
Hannah Bailenson
The Spence School, New York
“Corey is still talking about his adventure in Costa Rica. He truly had an unforgettable experience and spoke very highly of Paul and Alissa. Thank you for being such great role models for Corey and providing him with the trip of a lifetime.”
Lynn Banks
Mother Corey Banks
Palma High School, California
“I appreciate everything that Walking Tree has done for me. This is definitely a life changing experience that I will never forget. Keep up the great work!”
Kelly Prince
Voorhees High School, New Jersey
(Our daughter) had a fantastic time (minus the bug bites as she would add). She went there not knowing anyone and came away with not only a once in a lifetime experience but a bunch of new friends.
Karen Lonsway James, Parent
West Linn High School
Oregon
A professioanaly run organization that cares about the kids’ experience.
Chris Rodriguez, Parent
St. Mary’s Academy
Colorado
I knew that this adventure would be life changing for AJ, it was life changing for all of us. The people the kids are able to connect and interact with is nothing that can be created in their home towns or neighborhoods. Thank you!
Jenn McCulloch, Parent
Boulder High School
Colorado
My son said this was the best trip he ever had!
Tammy McMinn, Parent
Princess Anne High School
Virginia
My son loved the trip. He spoke highly of the other participants, respected his leaders, was very connected to the group, and cared for the host family.
Kapa Korobeinikov, Parent
Corvallis High School
Oregon
Sam’s family was so wonderful to him. I know he definitely would like to return and visit them in the future.
Jan Urban, Parent
Regis Jesuit High School
Colorado
Thanks for all of your positive energy and caring for our two kids while they were on their adventures!
Marylynn Fry, Parent
Regis Jesuit High School
Colorado
This was a terrifice experience for Meghan. She had a great time and loved her host family. Thanks for opening this adventure to these kids.
Whit Riggs, Parent
Boise High School
Idaho
