By Ines Kudo
Last year at the Acton Founders Conference, our Zone 7—over 70 Acton Academies outside the US—set a SMART goal to connect our campuses and learners. Guatemala was chosen as the perfect destination, home to the world's second-oldest campus and four vibrant campuses: Acton Academy Guatemala, Lift Academy, Spring Academy in Guatemala City, and Volcano Academy in Antigua. I vividly remember handing an invitation letter to nine Tinkuy Pumas—soon to graduate from Discovery and join Ascend—and the sheer joy, jumping, and screaming that followed. Their excitement convinced me that this trip had to happen.
With strong leadership from our Guatemalan partners and collaboration with campuses from El Salvador, Honduras, and Ignite in Canada, we set the stage for what might be the first big international meet-up of Acton learners. We were also joined by Jake Thompson, leader of the Acton Academy Network and founder of Heroes Academy in Idaho, adding to the collective inspiration.
Traveling to Guatemala with our studio’s six Pumas was an unforgettable way to start our Ascend journey together. We left our comfort zones and challenged ourselves to face the unknown. Our plan was simple: a community-building day on Monday, studio visits on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, and an active volcano climb on Wednesday.
I had countless questions as we prepared for the trip. Would the Pumas feel homesick? Would they actively participate in studio discussions? Could they stay focused, get enough rest, eat well, and be punctual? Would sharing a bathroom cause chaos?
But the most pressing question was: How would they face the volcano challenge on their own? We climbed in mixed groups, so most of our Pumas were paired with peers from other campuses rather than from Peru. There were 11 groups in total— I joined Sofia’s group, while Maitane went with Mayu; the remaining Pumas ventured with new faces.
The volcano climb, about 450 meters of ascent in one hour, reaching roughly 2,500 meters above sea level, had everyone a bit anxious. Many of our Pumas had never hiked before, and I didn’t know if they’d break down mid-ascent.
I cherish moments like these—intense challenges that test character and forge unbreakable bonds. I also love hiking, and although I’ve trekked around the world, I wasn’t in peak shape (to say the least) and was fighting a bout of bronchitis. Yassira, our other guide, was still recovering from a serious bike accident. I worried for the Pumas, for myself, and for Yass—but I tried my best not to show it.
As we ascended, I crossed paths with some of our young heroes. I saw some Pumas struggling to keep pace, while others appeared fresh and agile. Sofia felt the climb quite hard at first, but soon found her rhythm, chatting with new friends and encouraging one another. At the summit, she even offered bandaids to them, as they had cut their hands on rocks. Camilo had a harder time, and he helped himself with a stick that a guide in his group gave him. Giulia was consistently upbeat and seemed to be enjoying herself, and Leyla, despite visibly struggling, was buoyed by her group’s energy. I never saw Maitane or Mayu on the way up, but spotted them arriving at the top quietly and determined.
All of them made it to the summit and enjoyed their pizzas. I definitely did too. Then, they climbed some more to get to the flag, and I followed to take pictures.
At night, when we debriefed, I asked if any of them had wanted to give up along the way. They all said yes. They all experienced exhaustion, but being part of a large tribe of fellow travelers kept them going.
Leyla shared that when she thought she couldn’t make it, she tapped into an inner strength, picked up her pace, and ran decisively uphill to catch up with her group. She says she couldn't understand how she did it, only that she knew she would have felt a thousand times worse had she given up. She was so proud. Sofia was surprised at her own resilience, discovering new capabilities and making friends along the way. She seemed both pleased and amazed. Camilo, when having the hardest time, kept reminding himself of the reward—pizza at the summit and being with his friends.
Nothing is more reflective of their heroic character as this story, for I have seen them pull themselves up from many difficult situations that would have adults simply quitting.
I am at awe at these young heroes. In our studio, every day mirrors that ascent—challenging, unpredictable, and brimming with opportunities to learn and grow, walking alongside friends and feeling connected to a larger tribe.
While some take time to celebrate small victories, others push themselves even further, eager to conquer new freedoms. All of them embrace each adventure with excitement and curiosity. They have each other's backs, encourage and help one another along the way, enjoying each others’ company (sometimes more than I would like).
In every question asked, every challenge, or every step taken up that volcano, we are all learning—about life, about our limits, and about our true potential. Together, we are not just climbing mountains; we are building character, forging bonds, and creating a community where every hero has the chance to fulfill their promise.
I know my expectations—shaped by how I was raised, to honor promises, maintain focus, and deliver on time—often clash with the unpredictable reality of self-directed learning. My biggest challenge as a guide is allowing my Pumas to stumble and learn from their mistakes without stepping in. Yet, my greatest joy comes when I hold back and they, in turn, reveal their strength of character and the power of their determination.
They know why they are at Tinkuy and they care. And I am humbled and proud to be their guide.
