Yavneh Academy seventh graders had the unique opportunity to enjoy Yavneh’s 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 ropes contraption, and “Project Adventure” which features an assortment of team-building activities. The students also learned about teamwork through the lens of the Torah through various shiurim from the Yavneh staff.

The seventh graders were divided up into various activity groups in an effort to intersperse their usual social groups and enable the students to build new relationships. It was remarkable how encouraging all of the students were to their peers, regardless if they were friends before the trip.

Frost Valley also features a number of beautiful nature hikes, which gave students the opportunity to experience Hashem and his nature in a new way.

One of the highlights of the trip was the kumzitz, led by Yavneh faculty member, Azi Steiner, at which the students experienced inspiration by joining in song. It was an incredible trip where the grade truly formed as a unit, as the students learned more about one another, and themselves.