From May 13 to 15, the class of 2030 embarked on the annual eighth-grade three-day trip to the Frost Valley YMCA. The students took a break from classrooms, screens, and rigid schedules, and enjoyed a retreat in the Catskills.

Even before the statewide phone ban in public schools, Frost Valley has always been a no-phones trip. Many eighth graders before the trip found this inconvenient, but by the end, some current eighth graders were glad that they didn’t have their electronics with them. Eighth grader Zade Matthews said, “Especially since there were no phones, it was way easier to connect to nature and even other people.”

The weather has always been notorious for being less than pleasurable at many Frost Valley trips. The start of this trip did not disprove that, and it rained shortly after arrival. With that said, the rain did not stop the class from enjoying outdoor adventure elements.

The chaperones made it very clear that students would be outside, rain or shine. Eighth grader Eleanor Pearson said, “At Frost Valley, we had mixed weather. For the first 2 days, it was pretty dreary, gray, and rainy. However, it got really nice by the end, and you were just able to sit and lie out in the sun with your friends.” Later, on Friday, the rain started to clear up, and students enjoyed hiking, archery, arts and crafts, and other activities in the sun.

“It was way easier to share the experience with others, and connect through teamwork, communication, and also just having fun together,” Matthews said. Reportedly, the trip strengthened the bond in relationships throughout the grade. Eighth grader Kaya Grahn said, “I think the games were fun because I got to spend time with and talk to people I normally wouldn’t choose to be with. I got to learn about them, and now when you see them in the halls, we wave and smile, which we didn’t do before.”