If you ask any eighth-grader what their favorite retreat was, any one of them would reply with a grin, “Eighth grade retreat!” Going through sixth, seventh, and being an eighth grader myself, I would reply in the same way. Eighth grade retreat certainly was the best retreat in the Middle Level. As retreats go, not many schools offer the opportunity to stay overnight at a retreat house and bond with your grade. This retreat is the only Middle Level retreat with an overnight stay, and even with the extra time, no one wants to leave when the time comes. It is a truly enlightening experience!

This year was my eighth grade retreat, and I found it to be the best one yet. Since sixth grade, I had fantasized about what we would do and where would we go. As the day to leave drew closer, we learned more details about where the trip would be and what to bring. I had told myself that I wouldn’t over-pack, but when the time came, I packed at least three of everything listed and other things not listed. One particular classmate of mine, Juliet Tretler, seemed especially excited. Throughout the day before, she reiterated the phrase, “I want to go now!” more times than I can count. Finally, the school day ended, and all of us eighth graders rushed home in an attempt to check and recheck everything we had packed, wanting to make this trip unforgettable.
The next morning came and the excitement radiating off of us was tangible. Conversation was buzzing as everyone made her way to the chapel to reflect before getting on the buses. Finally, after what seemed like forever, we were told to grab our numerous bags and board the bus. During the drive, everyone’s excitement grew as we got closer and closer to our destination, the Bishop Clagget House. After what seemed like hours, we pulled up in front of the giant housing building and unloaded all of our bags. We were finally there!
In order to make eighth grade retreat a surprise for those who haven’t been on it yet, I will not disclose all of the details. I will say that the retreat consisted of a huge ropes course that had everyone smiling and gave everyone an adrenaline rush. Also, there was a reflection on the day and a meal a room away from a junior class of boys on retreat at a house nearby. Let’s just say, we were anything but quiet!
Throughout this experience, everyone was having so much fun, no one noticed how much time had passed until we were told to go pack our bags. We were shocked that retreat was over and none of us wanted it to end. As we boarded the bus, no one could believe that we were headed home.
When we reached NDP, we got off the bus, unloaded our luggage, and made our way to the cafeteria, thinking about what fun we had had. We all wished we could go back and stay for another week! Sadly, we all had to accept that that was the end of our eighth grade retreat.
This retreat truly is the best one there is. It happens before the class doubles in size, where everyone knows everybody’s name. It is my favorite retreat, and it will be a part of every one of us as a time of reflection that brought us closer to our class and closer to God, and it will help us through life with the lessons we learned. This is why it is the best retreat to have, and we are lucky to have it.

Anna Zittle

Eighth Grade