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Eighth-grade Leadership Class Trip — Part 1
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The eighth-graders recently participated in a three-day leadership program during their class trip to CYO Camp Rancho Framasa in Nashville, Indiana.
According to Mandy Smith, STSJP assistant principal, “The leadership program provided an environment and program that fostered servant, Christ-centered leadership in the students,” teaching them about setting priorities, affirmations, the power of prayer, and recreational activities. “The students learned deeper connections with themselves, their classmates, and Jesus,” she said.
STSJP principal Nick Kanable said one goal was to strengthen friendships. “As they begin their high school years (next year), it is important for them to know that they have friends who have the same beliefs and expectations.”
He said they also hoped to strengthen team-building and leadership skills through activities like the high-ropes course and scaling a ten-foot wall. “They worked together to complete a great number of tasks each day,” he said. “And they had a great deal of time to just enjoy each other’s company in a stress-free environment.”
He said the students loved the night hike and an impromptu walk through the creek to a waterfall.
Jessica Beckman, Coordinator of Youth and Young Adult Ministries for the pastorate, helped chaperone the group. She said the students learned fire-building skills which they later used to build a fire and cook their own dinner. “I saw them overcome obstacles, encourage one another, as well as hold each other accountable to participate and engage as a group,” she said of the eighth-graders. “Even when the dinner didn’t turn out to be as tasty as they had hoped, they were proud of their accomplishments.”
Father Christopher Shocklee, pastor, also chaperoned the group. He said the trip was a “great opportunity for our eighth-graders to process what it is to be a leader, what it is to be a friend, to have one final extended time with their classmates that they have been with for years, and ultimately grow in maturity.” He said each task required different forms of teamwork.
“It was great to see the youth acknowledge the strength they each have,” Father Shocklee said. “Each of our young people have truly been blessed by God with various gifts and talents, and it’s a joy to see them acknowledge it in one another.”
(Part 2 next week — the students share!)
