Middle School Retreats

Returning to school from summer vacation is a major transition in the life of a middle school student. Whether for sixth grade students entering middle school, seventh grade students moving toward more conceptual learning, or eighth grade students stepping up to the responsibility of being the student leaders of our community, this transition can present formidable academic and social hurdles.

While the summer months are often filled with unique experiences, we know that the start of the school year requires everyone to refocus and begin the learning process anew. We also know that combining social activities with team-building, confidence-boosting, and initiative-enhancing challenges through a shared and supportive experience improves the reentry process to the school year and helps to ease this transition.

A variety of experiences and activities on an overnight retreat-where students and teachers engage in low-level challenge courses, high ropes elements, climbing walls, and adventure activities-builds trust and cooperation and strengthen the bonds between students as well as between students and teachers. Jewish values, which guide us in all that we do at BHDS, also play a major role in shaping the agenda of the retreats. The retreat setting affords students the opportunity to reflect on past experiences, clarify their present goals, chart their path for the coming year, and realize more of their potential-allowing students to hit the ground running across the academic and social spectrum.