A St. Stephen's Tradition at BIG BEND

Each spring, the 8th grade class looks forward to the beloved Big Bend National Park retreat and expedition with their classmates. Students spend a week exploring the beauty of the Chihuahuan Desert, the cool climate of the Chisos Mountains and the power of the Rio Grande River.

“It is said that you get to know people better when you travel. Having to sleep in a tent with five of your peers, washing your plates and helping make meals for the day can be new and strange at first for some, but it was also a fantastic opportunity to practice thinking on the spot and being disciplined,” wrote 8thgrade student Roberto Vargas in the St. Stephen’s Middle School Newspaper The Zesty Press

Students also test their endurance on a 14.5 mile round trip hike on the South Rim Trail.

“Although it was an intense hike, and only some are ready for one, what I gathered was an overall sense of accomplishment,” said Vargas. “The view of other cliffs and nearby mountains was astounding.”

Additionally, students enjoyed bonding with their friends while paddling through Dark Canyon upstream from Santa Elena, studying the local flora and visiting Terlingua Ghost Town in Terlingua, Texas.

A big thank you to all of the faculty and staff members who brought this trip to life and made it fun and engaging for the 8th grade students this year!