Seventh Grade Retreat
The seventh grade girls, along with Ms. Abell, Mrs. Cook, Dr. Juli Fellows, and Ms. Schmitt, spent three wonderful days at Highland Lakes Camp. We were able to challenge ourselves while exploring the beautiful hill country in winter. While at the camp, the girls and the staff spent time learning how to handle conflict and how to encourage each other. These skills will empower our seventh graders to make wise choices now and in the future.
Dr. Fellows put together some fabulous, hands-on workshops that allowed our girls to practice ways of handling conflict and consider how they might use the skills to deal with the conflicts that arise in their lives. The girls performed skits, role-played various scenarios, and deconstructed conflicts typical of what a teenage girl might experience. They were asked to think about the best strategy to use in each case using one of five tools, choosing to ignore, compete, compromise, accommodate, or collaborate depending upon the circumstances. Exploring conflict probably never felt so satisfying.
The girls and the faculty pushed themselves to new limits and heights. We truly learned the importance of trust on Thursday afternoon as we conquered the camp's challenging high ropes course. It was an amazing experience, and the girls and the faculty members all came away with a sense of accomplishment.
We sincerely hope that our seventh grade girls will take the skills that they gained while on the retreat and apply them to their everyday life now, in high school, and for the rest of their lives.
"I learned all about handling anger and solving conflict. The experience really brought us all together." - Tillie
"The high ropes course was so much fun. It scared me a lot but I still did it." - Gabriella
"I learned a lot about myself and how to manage anger and conflict, and I learned how to trust in other people and just go for it." - Rowan
"The trip was so fun, and I think it will help us so much. Thank you!" - Skylar
"The ropes course taught me that it is all about the attitude. You can tell yourself you can't, or you can pull yourself together and believe in your strengths." - Mrs. Cook