News

Santa Catalina School juniors enjoyed a retreat September 9-10 where they had the opportunity to relax, reset, and grow closer as a class.

During their two days at the St. Francis Retreat Center in rural San Juan Bautista, the students participated in a variety of team-building and community activities.

On the first day, after celebrating September birthdays and exploring the grounds, students gathered for an evening chapel service focused on the joys being together. Each girl received a piece of yarn. Sitting in two nested circles, with one group of students facing outward and the other inward, each girl tied the yarn to the classmate across from her as a symbol of the bond of friendship. Afterward, students gathered around fire pits to make s’mores.

The second day was devoted to games and community activities. Working in groups, the students created collages reflecting the meaning of community and ways to support one another. Later they played a series of silly “Minute to Win It” games, such as moving M&Ms with a straw or scooping up cotton balls with a spoon while blind-folded. Finally, they had opportunities to participate in yoga and meditation, a coloring session, or more games. In addition, each group was given a disposable camera to document the weekend through their eyes.

The retreat was part of Catalina’s health and wellness program, which recognizes relationships as an important part of a person’s overall well-being. And in the end, the students appreciated the chance to better know their classmates and to simply spend time with friends.