Freshman Retreat 2022

The bookends of the SBS upper school experience, Freshman Retreat and Senior Retreat, each mark important milestones. For freshmen, it is a time of unification and bonding that will carry them through the rest of their time in high school. 

This year, the Class of 2026 retreated to Stoney Creek Ranch to get away from the new expectations and routines of high school to take a moment to prepare for what lies ahead.

Surrounded by teachers, staff and classmates, students learned important lessons such as how to be academically successful and the value of community. Prefects and Fellows served as student leaders to share their wisdom about the upper school experience at SBS. 

Student Life Prefect Preston Igo ‘23 explained, “The retreat is necessary for all freshmen to get to know each other and for them to begin growing as a class. As Prefects, we helped with making some of the games, activities and stations. We also had the privilege of getting to know the underclassmen by serving as counselors in the cabins.”

Every activity was intentional, geared toward transforming a new group of freshmen into a high school class that will have four years of impact. Team-building games with friendly competition, traditions like class color and student skit performances made the time fly by. Meaningful experiences like Chapel on the lake brought depth to the connections being forged and grew the faith of all students present.

Why is Freshman Retreat important?

“Freshman Retreat let us bond from head to toe!” shared Madison Khalife ‘26, referring to a team-building game involving holding a bucket of water with their toes. 

Freshman Thomas Haun’s favorite activity was the blog and he said the retreat is important because “you get to bond with your classmates.” 

Enoc Lemus ‘26 added, “Freshman retreat is important because it helps us bond as a whole class while learning more about God.” 

“Freshman retreat is important because you branch out and meet new people in your class,” said Sofia Tarazona ‘26.

Friendship, faith and fellowship were the markers of Freshman Retreat for the Class of 2026.