Every April the juniors, accompanied by Mr. Bigelow, Ms. Lesinski, Mr. Bruno, and various other teachers, go on the annual junior retreat. This year’s retreat took place at the YMCA Camp Duncan inMcHenry IL. Students traveled by bus, stayed overnight in cabins, participated in camp activities, and spent time bonding as a class. Preparation for the retreat began nearly a year prior.
“Ms. Lesinski and I do the bulk of the planning,” Bigelow said, “But then, once Ms. Lesinski and I meet with the director of the camp, we go over the agenda and all that, and then Mr. Bruno will meet with us, just to make sure he gives us support in terms like ordering food. Then Ms. Zeller lets us know who our chaperones are. We communicate with all of them and then make the itinerary, cabin groups, dining groups, and activity groups. We want people to connect with each other, and we’re trying to break up different groups of people, so everyone kind of gets to spend time with other people.”
Lesinski explained that planning includes reviewing previous retreats and making adjustments based on feedback from students and staff. “Mr. Bigelow and I prepared the year before, securing the dates, putting them on the Blue Calendar and making sure that we can still use Camp Duncan,” Lesinski said.
Throughout the retreat, students participated in a variety of camp activities and teambuilding exercises designed to help unify the grade. Students were grouped with classmates that they may not usually spend time with during the school day to ensure that they talk with people they might not traditionally. “I really love the special activities that we do where we recognize each and every member of the class,” Lesinski said, “And I love seeing students interacting with their peers, many of whom they do not hang out with at school. I also love spending time with my colleagues.”
While he might be biased, Bigelow said “my favorite part of the retreat is the activity that I run,” in addition to, “the part of the retreat is at night, when kids are down around the campfire making s’mores. I just love that vibe.” One of the highlights of the retreat for many students was the camp activities. “I liked paintball because I like hitting the objects in the courtyard like the toilet in the car,” said junior Naomi Pendo. Bigelow’s favorite moment came later in the evening when students gathered together outside. It seems like there was plenty of time for the grade to bond. Many students believed the retreat helped strengthen connections within the junior class. “As a class we’re really bonded already, and I think the retreat brought us even closer,” junior Sloane Kins said, “However, I wish it was longer.”
