After this year’s Sophomore Pinning Ceremony, the class of 2024 split by advisory to go on two different retreats. One-half of the advisories went to Genesee Valley, while the other half traveled to First Fruits Farm. Each group got to experience something new as well as bond with their classmates.

First Fruits Farm is an organization that grows high-quality produce for those who are unable to afford it in grocery stores. People can volunteer to help plant the food in the spring or collect the harvest in the fall. The NDP group got to choose between four activities: planting cabbage, working in the sensory garden, building “hugelkultur” gardens, or foraging for sticks for these gardens. After their work was done, the students got to enjoy a hayride around the farm.

Genesee Valley is an outdoor learning and retreat center where the students were able to bond with one another in addition to participating in various activities. Some of the activities included ice-breaker games, zip-lining, and a ropes course.

It’s safe to say that this year’s Sophomore Retreat was a success. The students got to spend quality time with their friends and classmates and escape the stress of school for a day. Some even made a difference in the community and learned more about organizations that work for the better, much in the spirit of NDP.