Retreats

The Freshman retreat takes place early in the Fall semester within their first few weeks of school. The theme verse of this retreat is Judges 18:6, “Go in peace, the journey on which you go is under the eye of the Lord.” The  emphasis of this retreat should be on realizing that God is watching over them as they begin their high school experience. This is the beginning of a great journey, and students will have the opportunity to get to know one another and share their hopes, fears, and expectations about high school.

The Sophomore retreat takes place in the Spring semester. The purpose of this retreat is to give students a much needed break from their school work; a time to “step away” from their busy lives and recalibrate the compass that was set on their Freshman retreat.

The theme verse of this retreat is Jeremiah 6:16 which reads, “Thus says the Lord, ‘Stand by the roads and look, and ask the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it and find rest for your souls.’”

At this point in their journey, most students have a solid grasp of what high school is like. They have been getting to know each other for almost two years now and have been forming relationships and experiences that will last a lifetime. This retreat offers a time for the students to take a step back and reflect on what they have learned, to “rest their souls.” The retreat also touches on themes of “the ancient path” and how the wisdom and knowledge they are acquiring in high school should be oriented towards the “good way.”

The Junior retreat takes place in the early Spring semester. The theme verse is Hebrews 12:1-2,  “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us keeping our eyes on Christ.” This retreat focuses on the “cloud of witnesses” and “persevering in the race”. The “cloud of witnesses” represents both their classmates, and the underclassmen who look to them for guidance. Students should have time to reflect on their experiences and friendships and share with each other their hopes and fears going into senior year. They should be challenged to “throw off everything that hinders” and make the most out of this final stretch.

The Senior retreat takes place over the course of two days in the middle of the Fall semester. Students will be taken to a retreat center and will spend the night in prayer and fellowship as they commission each other to take their gifts and aspirations into the world. At this retreat, the senior class will have the opportunity to set a game plan for their final year. The theme of this retreat is Matthew 28:18-20, “And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age.’” After this retreat, the senior class should be equipped to make disciples of all nations and to face their future with hope and faith.