We’re heading back to Warm Beach Camp for High School Retreat! HS Retreat is designed to offer a common learning experience to all high school students at the beginning of the academic year. The retreat examines the cultures and societies of the peoples living in four general world regions, promoting awareness of regional issues as well as exposure to diverse outlooks on life expressed through various cultures. At high school retreat, we get together when school begins to build the foundation of a strong and caring learning community for the year ahead. We also honor our commitment to a globally-focused education. This year we'll focus on Asia. High school classes will not be meeting at International on these two days as the retreat is our curriculum at that time.

Here are some things you can do now to help us prepare for Retreat, which will take place Thursday and Friday, September 11 & 12.

 

Location

Warm Beach Camp (near Stanwood). Bus transportation is provided.

 

What to Bring

• A sleeping bag, pillow, and bath towel
• A backpack with personal necessities for two days and one night (toiletries, toothbrush, etc.)
• Clothing appropriate for fall weather and outdoor activities. Plan for layers.
• A pair of athletic shoes
• A flashlight
• A water bottle (labeled)
• Consider insect repellant and sunscreen

 

What Not to Bring

• Cell phone

 

Final Forms

Complete your Final Forms for the 2025-26 school year. Be sure to double-check and update phone numbers, emergency contacts, and medical information so that we have current information.

 

Fees

The retreat has a fee of $150 which can be paid online. If a scholarship is needed, please contact Colleen Courtney (high school counselor) at courtneyn@bsd405.org.

 

Dietary Needs

Students should look for the post in the High School Team with information on how to request specific dietary needs.

 

Return

Students are scheduled to return to school at 2:00 on Friday and are welcome to leave at that time. We will provide an update to families on that day for a more accurate arrival time.

 

Parent Chaperones Needed

This overnight trip is only possible with your support. We need your participation for a successful retreat and require male and female volunteers to come with us on Thursday morning and stay through Friday mid-afternoon, and a few more volunteers to come up after work and leave in the morning. At the time of this posting, we are still looking for lots of chaperones. Chaperones attend free of charge. If you are interested in volunteering, or finding out more about volunteering, please contact Abi Horsfall.

 

What if My Student is Unable to Attend?

We highly value this experience and want to make sure that every high school student is able to attend. However, we know that sometimes conflicts arise that prevent a student from attending. If you know that your student is unable to attend--or if you have some questions--please contact Abi Horsfall as soon as possible so that we can make lodging and session adjustments. We do want to emphasize that no high school classes will be meeting on these days and most teachers will be up at the retreat. If your student is unable to attend, you would need to either contact the Attendance Office with an absence or send your student to school with the understanding that they will be provided a quiet place to read or work for the day.