THE MIDDLE SCHOOL RETREAT

NEW LOCATION & INSIDE OUT TRANSFORMATION

By Heather Bennett, Communications Specialist

IInstead of heading to Space Camp, middle schoolers hit the wide open spaces of The Natural State this year through the 4-H Arkansas Outdoor School program. COVID curtailed earlier Space Camp voyages, but this year’s change in plans was due to some programming changes to the original Huntsville, AL destination.

“Sarah Irvin was instrumental in organizing, planning, and finding us a better option for our students,” explains MS/JH Assistant Principal LeAnn Murry. “We were impressed with the 4-H Center’s programs like team building, archery, rockwall climbing, orienteering (compass navigation), astronomy, and more.”

“As much as I loved going to Space Camp, more students were able to attend the Middle School Retreat due to its location. During the day, groups worked on team building through engaging activities and in the evenings, we had community building through activities like, silent disco and s’mores. Ending the days around the campfire with a devotion led by Mr. Eatherton just topped off the retreat,” shares Sarah Irvin (MS STEM & 6th Grade Math).

The bigger picture behind the event was the biblical emphasis on students' personal transformation from the inside out and their relationships with

Christ. The week prior to the retreat had a special spiritual emphasis. Themes covered were emotions, relationships, sin, giving others grace and space, and what it means to be transformed.

During the retreat itself there was time for reflection and self-evaluation. The students also wrote a reflection letter to God or themselves on what they learned during the retreat, about their struggles, and related topics. Nobody else read them. The students sealed their letters and will get them back at the end of the school year.

“I love just providing space for the Holy Spirit to work and let God use that time as He chooses. It was still a learning environment and space to develop relationships with God and others. We got to see students in different lights. Followers became leaders. In a different classroom setting, we saw strengths in some students we hadn’t seen before. And, our students were fabulous. The 4-H staff even commented on how well behaved they were,” says Mrs. Murry.

Mrs. Irvin affirms, “I am thrilled how the retreat turned out and loved the memories that were made. I know that I speak for the rest of the teachers when I say that we love what we do and had a blast with our students! I am already excited to plan next year’s Middle School Retreat!”

MS & JH JOIN FORCES FOR BIG FALL FOOD DRIVE!

Teamwork certainly made the dream work as the fifth through eighth graders took part in a "collective" effort to collect much needed food items for the community in early November. MS set goals in each Compass class and brought in 1,976 total food items. JH competed by Houses and racked in 2,983 with Ventus as the winning House. All donations were made to the City Center Food Pantry.