NDP offers a multitude of opportunities for bonding with one’s sisters in their class, but the most revered instance of this is junior retreat. On Wednesday, October 9, the Class of 2026 departed campus on Hampton Lane to embark on journeys of bonding with their sisters of blue and orange.
Each advisory had a unique destination for their trip, such as the Loyola University Retreat Center in the mountains, or Camp Bennett in the woods. However, there were common themes amongst the trips. The overarching concept of the retreat revolved around the idea of knots- the knots we appreciate in our lives and the knots that can hold us back. Each advisory was able to take part in reflective periods in which they discovered the roles of the aforementioned knots in their lives.
In addition to personal reflection, advisories had the opportunity to spend time with and deepen their bonds with their NDP sisters. Whether it was through guided meditations, walks in the woods, or ropes courses, juniors were able to form new friendships and strengthen their existing ones. Kenzie W. ’26 says, “Prior to retreat, people constantly told me about how close you get with your advisory. To be honest, I didn’t fully believe them. After the retreat, however, I can confidently say they were completely right. I feel like every girl in our advisory has a newfound understanding, appreciation, and love for one another and I consider each of the girls to be close friends of mine.” It is certainly safe to say that the retreat was a success and that the class of 2026 will cherish the memories made for years to come.