We had to pivot to a new location this year (Todah Rabbah Camp Shomria!), but it was worth it in order to return a full experience at our Seventh Annual OJCS Middle School Retreat! Our theme for The 2024 Middle School Retreat was the same as it was for our Faculty Pre-Planning Week as it will be for the whole school and the whole year: Disconnect to Reconnect. Over three days, we had all kinds of community-building experiences and programs and we engaged in three different peulot (informal Jewish educational programs) where our students, by class, by grade, and as a full middle school had a chance to review and lean into the permanent values embodied in our North Stars and the “7 Habits” while learning about the value of “disconnecting” and how our reliance on technology can sometimes get in the way of our “connecting” with our community, our school, our classmates, our friends…and ourselves. I was very impressed by the level of engagement and the quality of conversation – whether we were inside, outside, sleepy or wide awake – that our students contributed to this part of the experience.
Here’s a snapshot (or many) of our experience:
Day #1
- We arrived mid-morning, settled in, went over rules and boundaries, and unpacked.
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Then we had lunch together.
- Next up, Moreh David organized a Jewish Studies-Themed Scavenger Hunt that took us all around the camp while reviewing our basic Bible and Holiday Facts.
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Then, our very own OJCS Parent, Steve Papai (thank you!) came up to supervise our canoeing and kayaking on Otty Lake. Those who weren’t interested in the waterfront, were able to read and do arts and crafts with Miss M.
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After that, we came together for our first peulah (activity) on the topic of “Disconnect to Reconnect”. We learned what it meant to be a “Hokie” and a “Pokie”, explored what it mean to work collaboratively with those who have different norms, talked about the kind of MIddle School community we want to create and sustain, “crossed a wild river” and – of course, ended with…the Hokie-Pokie.
- We finished with hanging out, watching a movie, playing night volleyball or ga-ga, reading, relaxing, etc., and then…lailah tov!
Day #2
- We began our day with a delicious group breakfast and an outdoor Tefillah, which set the tone for the adventures ahead. After fueling up, we made our way to Marked, where students tested their strength and endurance through a series of challenging outdoor obstacle courses and showcased their precision and accuracy during thrilling games of laser tag.
- In the late afternoon, we returned to camp where the fun continued. Students cooled off with a refreshing swim in the lake and enjoyed relaxing canoe rides. Others took advantage of the many amenities the camp offers, including basketball and tetherball.
- As evening approached, we gathered for a delicious BBQ dinner. Following dinner, we engaged in our second peulah focusing on “mindfulness” and shifting one’s attitude by reimagining daily school experiences through a new lens (i.e. “Math” as “Brain Exercise” and “Eating” as “Mindful Eating”).
- We ended our day on a high note with a cozy bonfire. Students ate roasted marshmallows and sang songs, creating a perfect end to an action-packed day.
Day #3
- We got up early, ate, did Tefillah, cleaned up and packed up!
- We did our final peulah, this time focused on trust and how to carry forward the conversations and the relationships from the retreat back to school.
- We finished up with a great survival skills training with Mr. Ray & Mr. C. and then it was time to load the busses and head back to OJCS!
