The Yavneh Academy seventh graders had the unique opportunity to enjoy the annual three day leadership retreat to Frost Valley. Frost Valley specializes in team-building activities such as the “Flying Squirrel,” where the students must work together to pull one of their group members up through a rope contraption. “Project Adventure,” features an assortment of team-building activities. It was remarkable how encouraging all of the students were to their peers, even if they were not friends before the trip.

In addition, Frost Valley features a number of beautiful nature hikes, which provided the students the opportunity to experience Hashem and His nature in a new way. The seventh graders were divided up into groups meant to intersperse their usual social groups in order to foster new relationships through these team-building activities. In addition, the students learned about teamwork through the lens of the Torah through various shiurim from the Yavneh staff.

Another one of the highlights of the trip was the kumzitz, led by Yavneh Academy faculty members Rabbi Avie Schreiber and Azi Steiner, where the students experienced inspiration by joining in song. A new addition to the trip this year was game night, which offered various options for all of the students to enjoy. The boys had a mini-hockey tournament, spike ball, and board-games. The girls had a karaoke night, a gaga tournament and board games. It was an incredible trip where the grade truly formed as a unit, as the students learned more about one another and themselves.