Branson School: A Day of Work in the Forest, 7th April, 2026
For a single day, 15 students (15-17 years), and staff from The Branson School, Marin County, CA, stepped into the working landscape of Las Casas de la Selva. It was a day of real service work.
They joined us on the forest road, where maintenance is constant and essential. Under the guidance of Jon Warwick, who led the crew with clarity and pace, the students got straight into it. Branches were cut back, ferns were cleared from the road edges, and bamboo was pruned where it had begun to close in. The goal was simple: keep the road open, safe, and functional in a place where growth never stops.
The work demanded attention and effort. Tools in hand, the group moved steadily along the road, learning quickly that in the rainforest, maintenance is not a one-time task. It is ongoing, physical, and necessary for everything else we do here to function.
What stood out was their willingness to engage. No hesitation. No standing back. They worked as a team, taking direction and finding rhythm in the process. This is where learning shifts. Not abstract, but grounded in action.
Back at base, 3t prepared a delicious lunch. Simple, direct, and well earned. Food really tastes different after a morning of physical work, it brings people together in a different way. Conversations and questions over lunch delved into the history of the project. Thanks to group leader, Adelina, and school staff, Sabrina and Matt. Writer, Gregg Dugan and visual artist Mercury, who are both on extended art residencies at Las Casas de la Selva, provided behind-the-scenes help with all and everything.
The visit reflects something important about Branson’s stated values: courage, kindness, honor, and purpose. These are not just ideas to talk about. They show up in how students step into unfamiliar environments, take on physical challenges, and contribute to something beyond themselves. At Las Casas, this kind of exchange matters. Students arrive for a short time, but the work they do stays. A cleared road section, a maintained path, a space that continues to function because of their effort.
About the Program
This visit was made possible through Shoulder-to-Shoulder, a program founded in 2007 to respond to a simple but urgent question: What can we do? Under the direction of Bill Cotter (director of programming), the organization connects students with real-world projects across multiple continents. What began with one school and a small group of students has grown into a global network spanning 12 sites, built on partnerships between schools, nonprofits, businesses, and philanthropists. Their focus is clear: developing ethical leaders who can navigate a complex world while balancing growth, social responsibility, and environmental stewardship. Programs like this one at Las Casas are where that intention meets action. One day. Real impact.
April 2026.
