Return to Camp Winaukee
This September, the Upper School Retreat returned to Camp Winaukee for the first time since 2019.
After a 2-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all upper school students and staff spent two days and one night at the summer camp, located on Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire. While there, they participated in classic camp activities like swimming, kayaking, kickball, arts and crafts, Jenga, ping pong, 4 square, and more.
One of the biggest goals for the upper school retreat is to build community, giving all students the opportunity to connect with and get to know students from other upper school grades. Not only were they with each other in mixed groups for our activities, but they got to eat with a different group of students for each meal, and sleep in cabins right on the lake.
Student Reflections
What was your favorite part of Winaukee?
My favorite part was the dance!
My favorite part of Winaukee had to be going to each activity and meeting/connecting with tons of new people!
My favorite part of Winaukee was the whole experience. As an eighth grader and not being able to go in the previous years it was a really special time to enjoy something I had been looking forward to for a while now.
What was something you learned at Winaukee?
Something I learned at Winaukee was that sometimes the simplest moments can be the best ones. When I woke up that morning and walked outside my eyes immediately took to the sky. Then seeing how everyone with so many different opinions could value one beautiful thing was really special.
I learned to ALWAYS pack a hat.
Something I learned at Winaukee is definitely not to bring so many clothes, as I only wore two outfits the entire time.
I learned how to play pickleball with one hand!
What is something that surprised you about Winaukee?
I was surprised at how similar it felt to the day camp last year.
Something that surprised me was how many new connections I made and how many existing ones I grew with my peers!
Something that surprised me at Winaukee was that we all connected in ways that I never expected.