JULY 16-23, H.E.A.R.T. INSTITUTE, LAKE WALES, FLORIDA

There’s probably not much that I can tell you that you haven’t already heard from the youth during their presentation on the 31st, but I would like to mention a couple of things. First of all, wow, what an experience. The week was a total immersion into 3rd World education and experience. We built and painted, planted and harvested, fed and slaughtered, cooked and cleaned up. From baking bread in a solar oven and showering in solar heated showers to a virtual 3-day “snipe hunt” (sorry Chris, you were SO ripe for the picking!), we all had a truly wonderful adventure. Additionally, I couldn’t be any happier or more proud of our counselors. Even in the midst of adversity (like high heat and humidity and TONS of “creepy crawlies”), they all kept cheerful, insightful, and positive. You couldn’t ask for anyone more dedicated or qualified to lead our teens during this incredible week, or for the rest of the summer. Great job gang, I can’t wait to get back into it with you!