Creating Community: New England Edition

2025 Ecuador Semester Blog #1 : September 1, 2025 – September 16, 2025

Welcome to the Ecuador Semester 2025 blog! We hope you enjoy reading about our adventures!! 

“We are from”
by Ecuador Semester 2025

We are from rolling mountains, turned red come fall
From Limedor wood stretching mile after mile
We are from rickety swing sets and scratched DVDs
From wood bunk beds and runner sleds, so fast, so free
We are from roasted brussel sprouts and wooden counter tops
We are from dream catchers hung in corners and singing bowls set on the shrine
From Maureen and a name with few memories attached
From the deer, head raised, eyes searching, poised to bolt
We are from the magic meadow, where the moths are fairies even though we’re 17
We are from the fort, from piles of wood
Family dinners around the old, stained, dining table – hot dogs shaped like octopi and pancakes at 9AM
From salt water stinging our scrapes and perpetually sandy summers
We are from “try everything”, and “don’t forget to giggle until you pee your pants”
We are strangers searching for something new
Coming together to create something beautiful 

(This poem is a compilation of lines from individual “I am from” poems written with Liz during the first week. The poem includes a line from each member of our group).

Creating Community at Kroka Basecamp 

The first week was a wash of new emotions and new laughter, as everyone settled into the rhythms of Kroka basecamp. We got to know each other, shared songs and stories, and found the rhythms of our group. Because this is the Ecuador semester we began to learn Spanish phrases and words: Buenos dias companero – to greet our friends in the morning, and Vamos a contar para secundos (“let’s count off for seconds!”), which has been our most used phrase so far…. The week was full of connection and fun and even included a spicy rice stirfry and icecream with Vivek and whoopie pies from Abbi! We felt welcomed onto the Kroka campus and held by the community around us. 

Below is the schedule we followed as we prepared for our journey and created our community: 

6:00AM – The instructors sing us awake at dawn so we can get dressed, stretch and prepare for chores. 

6:30AM – Chores are a wonderful way for everyone to  contribute and take care of the campus. Chores include processing firewood, taking care of the farm and animals, and keeping the community spaces clean and beautiful. 

8:00AM – After chores we find a place in the woods to find a “sit spot”. This is a time for us to give our attention to the natural world, and sit with our thoughts and observations. 

8:15AM – BREAKFAST

9:30AM – During morning classes we have structured activities and learning. During the first week our classes included Waldorf philosophy, yoga, and poetry. 

12:30PM – LUNCH 

1:00PM – During the first week our afternoon classes have been centered around backpack making! After breaking into two groups, we spend half the time sewing backpacks, and the other half working on the farm harvesting squash and carrots, making pesto, and mucking out the animal pens. 

7:00PM – After classes we have some journaling time to write about the day and answer journal prompts. These journal entries are part of our academic work here at Kroka. 

7:30PM – DINNER 

8:00PM – We end our day with “evening meeting”: a time for sharing appreciations and thoughts. Evening meetings are a beautiful time for our group to be vulnerable and grow closer as a community. We finish our night with a song and go to bed. 

Backpack making!

During the first week we poured dozens of hours into creating beautiful, handmade, daypacks that will accompany us all the way to the high Andes Mountains! We made the backpacks assembly line style, with one group making the harness and back of the pack, and the other creating the outer shell and pockets. Each of us came in with different levels of sewing experience, but everyone was able to work on something, and each person showed great focus and care for the work. With the help of our incredible backpack expert Caleb, (thank you for all your hours of support and guidance Caleb!) we cut, measured, and sewed… Despite VERY temperamental sewing machines that broke every few minutes, we finished fifteen unique and beautiful packs! The collaborative nature of the assembly line creation allowed us to truly create these backpacks together, so that when we wear them, we will know that each person in the group poured their love and work into each pack. When the backpacks were completed we presented them to our friends with the hope: Hasta el Antesana y mas hayar! (“To Antesana and beyond!”)

Big Jobs

During this first week we also got our “Big Jobs”, responsibilities that each student will be in charge of learning and holding over the course of the semester. These jobs give us the opportunity to specialize and feel empowered in one specific area, and also helps the group function smoothly and efficiently especially on expeditions. 

Gear Manager: Takes care of travel gear and equipment such as the maintenance of our bikes, boats, and backpacks. 

Camp Manager: In charge of ensuring we have a place to sleep each night by finding a good campsite, setting up and maintaining our tents and tarps. 

Kitchen and recycling: Sets up the kitchen each night and organizes our different types of waste (recycling, trash, compost, etc). The Trash Master who helps us stay clean and organized. 

Food Manager: plans our meals, helps to cook them, and makes sure we are always fed! 

Medic and Water: Manages the health and hygiene of the group, as well as supplying us with water. 

Energy: Handles maintenance of stoves, firewood, and our headlamps. Keeps us energized! 

Navigator: Leads the way, by pouring over maps, charting our courses and navigating each day. 

Logistics & PR: Presents the group and what we are doing to people we meet along the way, organizes our resupplies, manages our finances, and keeps the group on track.

Repair: Mends our of our gear and clothing when it breaks, making sure that we and our equipment looks beautiful and professional. 

Scribe: Writes this blog, and manages the academic supplies. 

Meet the Team! 

LINDSAY: Our wonderful instructor Lindsay has brought so much care and kindness to our group, guiding us, taking care of us, and bringing us together. We know that we can go to her with anything and feel supported. We appreciate her hard work, her thoughtfulness, and her silliness. 

RAPHA : Our second instructor Rapha has brought so much joy to our group. We appreciate his humor, his free spirit, his care, and his songs and guitar which wake us up in the morning and accompany us in the evening. He shares all this with our group as well as being a wonderful listener when we need to talk. 

DOROTHY, Naples NY, Gear Manager : Dorothy is always asking how we are doing and thinking of everyone in the group. She never hesitates to lend a hand or a listening ear. She leads with curiosity and kindness, sharing her warm heart and laughter with the group. 

LUCIA, Corinth VT, Navigator: Lucia is the backbone of our group, charting out our course on old maps, and leading the bike groups. She is a constant grounded presence and it is a gift each time she shares her thoughts, her wisdom, her voice and her laughter. 

ALEXA, Ghent NY, Energy Manager : Alexa is brightly true to herself, bringing her silliness and strength to the group. On expedition, Alexa could be found biking back up the hill again as we waited for the rest of the group. She is enthusiastic and always on top of things. 

BENNETT, Lempster NH, Gear Manager: Bennet is always making a joke or starting a conversation. Happy to talk with anyone and effortlessly funny, Bennett brings our group so much warmth and laughter. At the same time he knows how to support the group, fixing bikes or jumping into new tasks. 

WILCCA, Brattleboro VT, Camp Manager: Wilcca brings so much heart to our group. From day one he was getting to know each person in our group. He is a steady force, ready to support our group, bringing us laughter, and putting his whole heart into every interaction.  

FIN, Chicago, IL, Camp Manager: Fin brings his steady presence, focus, and dedication to the group, whether that be setting up camp for his big job, or creating incredibly detailed art in his journal. It is a gift to hear his thoughts and observations. 

GRACE, Denver CO, Medic : Grace is our resident daredevil and adventurer, climbing up every tree or rock, and trying bike hills again and again. She has so much care and kindness for everyone and approaches each experience with joy and enthusiasm. 

CLARA, Portland ME, Logistics: Clara is bright and friendly, and often the first one to offer a thought or a helping hand. She keeps the group on track with her incredible organization skills, and is always ready to take on more! Clara brings kindness and her authentic self to each interaction. 

DAVIS, Cowichin Bay BC Canada, Food Manager : Davis is thoughtful and silly. She asks the best questions, listens deeply, and shares her own thoughts beautifully (including so many wonderful stories!). She comes with her curious nature and a deep engagement with everything and everyone around her. 

SOLENA, Montague MA, Food Manager: Solena brings her quiet leadership to the group. With her grounded, warm presence, and an attentive eye, she has a strong awareness of the group. And we can’t forget her songs and beautiful voice which she is never afraid to share with the community. 

ALAYA, Brattleboro, VT, Kitchen and Recycling Manager : Alaya is as tough as they get, with a positive and grounded attitude about every hardship. She is confident and true to herself. She brings her silliness and laughter, her insane voice and guitar skills, and a caring and thoughtful nature. 

JACK, Keene NH, Repair : Sadly Jack is not able to come with us to Ecuador. Our group feels this loss sorely as we move forward with a missing friend. But we are all so grateful for the time they got to spend with us. Jack is always friendly and motivated, moving through the hardest challenges with laughter and a bright smile on their face. Jack showed so much growth and perseverance just in two weeks and we all will hold them in our hearts for the rest of semester. 

ELLA, Calais VT, Scribe 

And we are so excited to meet our two companions in Ecuador– Lorena and Jhordan —and complete the group!

Bikepacking (September 8th – 12th)

After much preparation we packed the vans on Monday morning and set off for Vermont where we would begin our first expedition together! This mini expedition proved a valuable time for us to practice our expeditioning skills, find the rhythm of our group, and come together as a community, all the while surrounded by beautiful autumn landscapes. This expedition was a bikepacking trip, so we loaded up 16 bikes, all our tents, food, and personal gear. 

I can’t write any more about bikepacking without mentioning Havah, who joined us for the expedition and the days surrounding it. We are so grateful for her nurturing and steady presence in the group and for all the laughter, stories, and conversations she brought us!

We began with a slow and hilly start, climbing for six miles and gaining over 1,000 ft in elevation over Putney Mountain. The steep hills along with working out the kinks of our first day of travel, turned the 13 mile goal into 6. We stopped at the top of Putney Mountain where we set up a cozy campsite amidst the pine trees and clear skies. Around dinner we reflected on the value of flexibility and a positive, group focused attitude on expedition. What could have been a hard situation (biking only half our goal and staying at a makeshift campsite with no water source), was greeted by cheerfulness. The important part was that we were all sitting together with warm food and laughter, not our 13 mile goal.  

The next day we began with a long downhill and rode 16 miles in all in the morning and early afternoon. Arriving at our beautiful campsite by the West River in East Jamaica VT, we had lunch and a siesta during which we napped on the beach and swam in the cool river. Expeditioning is unpredictable, one day can be slow and hilly while the next is efficient and smooth. We all appreciated this early camp set up and beautiful site as a respite after a rough start. The next morning we went rock climbing at a wonderful site just across the river. Huge thank you to Ulises who set up all the ropes and helped guide us. We practiced our rock climbing skills on 3 top rope climbs, and repelled down a forth, rotating in small groups and learning how to belay each other safely! 

We spent the night at the “Big House” by Hamilton Falls, hosted by our friends the Newton family. The next day we packed up again and set out for our longest day yet: 20 hilly miles to the Green Mountain National Forest. When we had only gone 4 miles by lunch we questioned whether we would actually make our goal, but after long hours of biking, and huge pushes up what felt like never-ending hills, we made it to camp for our final evening of expedition. 

We ran into a few mishaps on our journey: hard hills, lack of water, two missing tent flies, a mysteriously vanishing pack of tortillas, and our fair share of falling off bikes, but in the end I think we would all count our expedition as a success. We learned how to travel together, how to push our bodies to their limits and then keep going, and we learned how to do it all while supporting each other and laughing all the way. 

HIGHLIGHTS AND CHALLENGES

Dorothy
Highlight: Biking the six miles of downhill on the last morning of the expedition.
Challenge: Biking on the busy highways and main roads. 

Bennett
Highlight: The fall season, biking, rock climbing, and learning Spanish!
Challenge: Early morning wake ups. 

Grace
Highlight: Rock climbing by the West River.
Challenge: The challenges that come with being around people 24/7

Fin
Highlight: Rock climbing and biking.
Challenge: Not having much free time.

Alaya
Highlight: The beautiful community here at Kroka that we have been surrounded by. It’s made the transition a lot easier.
Challenge: Trying to live in the present moment while grappling with missing friends and home. 

Wilcca
Highlight: Traveling through southern VT, the bikepacking was amazing, we came in just as fall was starting to hit. So many beautiful views, so many beautiful people.
Challenge: biking through familiar areas and feeling the homesickness 

Lucia
Highlight: Biking on the beautiful roads of North Landgrove, VT.
Challenge: The last two big hills on Thursday. 

Clara
Highlight: Working on the farm during chores and farming blocks.
Challenge: Working on my biking skills. 

Davis
Highlight: Singing together, and spontaneous laughter.
Challenge: The unfamiliarity of this experience and feeling new to everything. 

Alexa
Highlight: biking through beautiful Vermont towns.
Challenge: The first day of biking.

Solena
Highlight: Biking through September mountains surrounded by inspiring people.
Challenge: Not having enough time in the day.

Ella
Highlight: Getting to know all the lovely people in this community and spending all day outdoors!
Challenge: Missing my family and friends. 

Returning to basecamp and preparing for Ecuador!!

 A beautiful autumn song brought to our group by Solena: 

Sun wans upon the fields
Goldenrod begins
Sighing trees let go of leaves
Day turns to night again 

We returned to Kroka basecamp on September 12th, with tired, dirty bodies, but full hearts and a stronger community. These past few days have been a rush of preparations as we fly for Ecuador on the 17th!! Nevertheless we managed to pack in so much during our last few days here in New England. 

We launched right away into two 8 hour days of Wilderness First Aid training! We learned about how to perform CPR and abdominal thrusts, and the best responses to head trauma, wounds, broken bones, hypothermia, heat stroke, bites, lighting and more. We balanced this learning with hands-on practice during scenarios. During these scenarios we got fake wounds and ailments and practiced our acting skills while our friends used their new skills to “save” us. 

A lovely poem describing our day
By Wilcca and company 

Woke up late, that was great
Than I ate, I could not wait
Bubbles and squeak, happiest day of the week
There wasn’t enough, felt kinda rough
Went to class, learned how to Pick Up and Haul Ass (PUHA!)
Cloudy and mild, wish we ran a mile
Havah is lit, wish she wouldn’t quit
She leaves tomorrow, we’ll feel so much sorrow
There’s nothing more to write in this journal entry
This may just be the poem of the century

In the evenings we enjoyed music nights, staying up to play guitar and sing together. We have a very musical group and we have all had so much fun sharing songs and joining our voices together! 

The remaining few days have been filled with packing and preparation. Another huge shift awaits us. We have come together over the past few weeks and created a beautiful community here at Kroka. Now it is time for us to say goodbye and set off on our journey. We are full of excitement to fly to Ecuador!

Thank you so much for reading and don’t forget to stay tuned for the next entry! 

Sincerely, your scribe,

Ella 

This song, learned during one of our music nights, felt fitting for our journey ahead: 

Viento, que viene de la montaña
Viento, traenos la claridad
Viento que viene de la montaña
Viento traenos la claridad 

Vuela, vuela, vuela, vuela, vuela, vuela, vuela, volar con nosotros
Vuela, vuela, vuela, vuela, vuela, vuela, vuela, volar con nosotros 

 (Wind, that comes from the mountains)
(Wind, that brings us clarity)
(Wind, that comes from the mountains)
(Wind, that brings us clarity)

(Fly, fly, fly, fly, fly, fly, fly, flying together)
(Fly, fly, fly, fly, fly, fly, fly, flying together)