PHOTOS: Students Bond and Team-Build During Middle School Retreats

St. Margaret’s Middle School students had their own grade-level retreats in Dana Point last week, a chance to bond with their advisories, build friendships, work together and have fun.

 

Each grade had a full day at the beach, where a variety of recreational and team-building activities were planned. St. Margaret’s partnered with Positive Adventures—as it did with Upper School retreats in August—to provide relevant experiential education in an outdoor setting.  

 

Grade 6 and grade 7 each met at Baby Beach in Dana Point Harbor, where advisories rotated through three stations. There was a team-building challenge set up by Positive Adventures, a chance to kayak in Dana Point Harbor, and a sandcastle-building competition that quickly expanded as advisories created dream communities with houses, sports parks, farms and waterways.

 

Grade 8 enjoyed a little more freedom during the morning of their retreat. They had the opportunity to kayak or stand-up paddleboard at Baby Beach, or go over to the nearby Ocean Institute and tour the facilities and interact with the touch tanks. Advisories also took part in a spirited sandcastle-building competition, and played Spikeball in the sand during the downtime.

 

In the afternoon, grade 8 took part in an “Advisory Olympics” run by Positive Adventures, a series of team-building challenges competing against other advisories. Middle School world languages teacher Lisa Botts’ advisory was declared the winner.

 

“Students and teachers alike were able to enjoy the beautiful weather on the beach while learning new skills, stepping outside of their comfort zone, bonding and building new relationships,” Middle School Director of Community Life Kylie Middlebrook said.