I was whitewater rafting with my family on the Rio Reventazon in Costa Rica two years
ago. This stretch of the Reventazon is a class III/IV, so there were some serious rapids
and drops in the river bed. Safety is an important issue, and I was constantly reminding
everyone to be careful. Everyone had to paddle hard from their perch on the side of the
raft. We came to a particularly steep drop in the river, and before I knew it, yours truly
was dumped into the water. I was the only one so honored all day. Needless to say, my
family now rejoices in reminding me of the safety guidelines on each subsequent adventure.
Rob Mayer is Robert Mayer, Ph.D., president of the Hulda B. and Maurice L.
Rothschild Foundation. The Rothschild Foundation is a family philanthropy that seeks to
improve the quality of life for older adults in the Chicago area. One of the Foundation's
programs contracts for over 1,000 visits a year by performing artists and cultural centers
to skilled nursing facilities. He has been a strong supporter of culture change, often
sponsoring awards, activities and learning opportunities for those involved in culture
change.
