The 8th grade retreat is one of the most exciting events eighth graders look forward to each year. This year’s getaway to SharpTop Cove featured engaging activities, delicious meals, and a theme of staying “unshakeable.”
After arriving in the morning, students were told about the main feature of the trip: free time. Throughout each day, multiple 2-4 hour blocks allowed students to go wherever they wished throughout the camp. Other than a few grade-wide games, speeches, and a scavenger hunt with homerooms, students were given free reign to explore as many excitements as they could.
One of these many activities that SharpTop has to offer is the zip-line. Students donned a harness before walking a few minutes uphill, where they jumped off a ramp and flew into the lake. The ride gave students a scenic view of the whole of Sharptop Cove and its facilities. 8th grader Sonia Mepani said, “I was most excited for the zip line . . . it was my favorite. It was fast and scary, but also fun.”
Students also greatly looked forward to the giant swing and flocked to the ride in each free time block. However, the amount of time it took to strap students in, swing, and get back off only allowed for a few at a time. Many students waited in the line for up to 30 minutes just to be told it would be closing.
Besides the giant swing, students most anticipated the ropes course. As they hooked onto the course, students were so focused on the challenge ahead that they were knot prepared for the arachnid anarchy awaiting them—giant webs of joro spiders stretched throughout the obstacles. However, when students got past the creepy crawlers, they trapezed across the course with a goal to reach the final element: a bungee-jump.
Students also eagerly awaited some plain-old friendly competition: the volleyball tournament. Students formed teams with their friends, which were not limited to players on school teams. In the end, players Kate Jin, Tara Kaul, Emily Klein, Zoey Le-Smith, Blakely Murray, and Reese Tetrick triumphed in the final match.
While definitely well-received, the activities weren’t the only hit of the trip. 8th grade Grade Chair Patrick Egan says that he most looked forward to the lunches. During mealtimes, students were served a two-course meal consisting of an entrée paired with a few sides and dessert. Whether the dessert was warm, melty chocolate-chip cookies or a giant skillet cookie topped with ice cream, all of the desserts were considered big highlights.
Despite the many recreations students got to experience outdoors, the Variety Show created some of the most memorable moments. “My favorite non-teachery activity would be the talent show,” 8th Grade Visual Arts teacher DeLancy Hutchinson said.
Along with the many fun acts such as an improvised skit and some sing-alongs, the Variety Show also included a few profound numbers that stole the spotlight. Performing Arts teacher Adam Fry sang “Piano Man” while playing the piano, and Egan—along with his son, Chip—performed a duet of “Cat’s in the Cradle” by Harry Chapin that touched the hearts of many teachers and students.
Aside from the talent show, the annual Squealer Speech contest also took place. Earlier in the school year, students nominated fourteen speakers to represent their English classes in demonstrating their persuasion skills for the teachers to judge. Although every speech engaged both the students and teachers, Cassie Koplan’s speech most captivated the judges and won the competition.
Altogether, the class of 2030 is sure to remember this year’s retreat. Whether socializing with friends or participating in the volleyball tournament, students agree that the 8th grade retreat allowed them the perfect break from the typical grueling school days, and that it’s certainly something future eighth graders should be looking forward to. As 8th grader Olivia Regenstein puts it, “It was fun, and I think rising eighth graders will enjoy it too.”