July 16, 2007
The Mosaic Project
2223-A Woolsey Street
Berkeley, California 94705
To All It May Concern:
To every person involved in giving children across the Bay Area the unique and unforgettable experience of participating at The Mosaic Project outdoor school, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I thank you for all of the incredible work you are doing as a community to bring such a powerful and incredible vision to life!
From the first time I heard about Mosaic, I knew that I wanted my classroom of fifth graders to participate in the experience. Working initially with Lara to get us on board only deepened my desires and my kids’ desires to spend a week in Napa with other schools. It was truly a life changing experience, and it exceeded anything I could have imagined it would be.
I simply cannot say enough about how very impressed and awed I am with every aspect of your project down to the minute details -- no stone was left unturned. I have no suggestions for improvement other than to simply keep it going and growing! To all of you who organized and ran the program, you are absolutely incredible! To all of you behind the scenes, you also did a phenomenal job! It is obvious that you are deeply committed to “making peace possible” and to sharing this experience with others. Your knowledge of children is phenomenal. The curriculum was so impressively planned and executed from the moment we arrived until the moment we drove off the property. It was beautifully developed, and I was very impressed with how it built on the Mosaic concepts all week, intertwining the newly presented concepts with the ones that had been previously introduced. Recapping the days’ events in the cabin groups each night pulled everything solidly together for the kids. I was equally impressed that every single adult and high-school cabin leader was involved and enthusiastic and positive every minute of every day. It takes a lot of love and effort to stay going 24/7 with energetic, excited children, and you all pulled it off without a hitch!
Returning to our campus at Saklan Valley School and hearing the children express their enjoyment and appreciation for the Mosaic experience was like reliving the week at camp! Remarking on their experiences to others, they expressed comments such as these:
“After the Mosaic I felt like a better person, a smarter one, too. I had learned so much, I think that everyone did. I have used the steps of conflict resolution to resolve conflicts that I’ve had. But for me, the ‘crossing the line’ [activity] moved me the most. Not only did I learn things about myself, I also learned things I never knew about my friends... The only down side is that not all kids get to have the same experience that I had when I went there.”
“I felt that the Mosaic Project was a place where you could be yourself! A place where you don’t have to pretend to be something you’re not just to be in the group of friends you want to be in.”
“This is the most amazing camp I’ve ever been to. I enjoyed all the activities that the group had us do, and I know I will hold onto what I learned about myself and others for my whole life.”
“I liked Mosaic because it really helped my mind grow and I met some new friends. I’m still e-mailing my counselor, Joaquim!”
It was also heartwarming to see how the school community and the childrens’ families recognized what a special opportunity the children had. The parents were equally as pleased, as one parent stated,
“I feel this experience for our kids was truly an unforgettable event. To see our class so excited when they returned really made me feel good as a parent. Our school does not have much diversity and this group has been together since kindergarten. To see them reach out of their comfort level and take chances was great.”
As the teacher, I could see important changes in their behaviors and in their ability to recognize and appreciate others -- there is no doubt in my mind and heart that they are seeing the world through new glasses. It is obvious that they feel more confident in themselves as individuals, and that they feel the desire to live and interact with others in a way that everyone can enjoy and celebrate that which makes each of us unique. The idea that we can all come together as a community with shared appreciation is something they learned and are putting into practice.
It would take pages for me to detail all that I appreciate about the program from a teacher’s perspective as well as from an individual’s perspective. I strongly underscore the fact that spending a week in the Mosaic outdoor school is the glue that pulls the regular classroom curriculum together for a complete education for children.
I intend to continue being involved with Mosaic via my classroom — I cannot imagine a year without it! I would also like to be more involved with the program outside of my classroom and be instrumental in helping to keep Mosaic alive and growing. Put me to work!
Thank you all most sincerely,
Cindee McMahon