Darlington School: Private Boarding School in Georgia Retreat inspires seniors to connect and savor time left before graduation
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Retreat inspires seniors to connect and savor time left before graduation

October 28, 2014 | 377 views

October’s senior retreat brought Darlington classmates, best friends, strangers, tight-knit circles, and others closer together as a whole, utilizing team-building exercises and free time to bridge gaps and learn new concepts. Just over the Alabama state line in Mentone, Camp Skyline offered an ideal landscape to disconnect, connect and reconnect.

The annual tradition was designed from its inception to encourage seniors to connect with others in the class, toss ideas around for the senior project, discuss the responsibilities that come with being an alum, and celebrate a final chapter as this group of Tigers continues to inch toward graduation. Games, skits, ropes courses, late night pizza and other traditional camp offerings filled this time together as students learned more about themselves and their soon-to-be alma mater. 

“[The seniors] enjoy the relaxation, the food and the laughter,” said Ms. Dana Peek, dean of students. "They have so much pressure in the senior year with college searches and decision-making around college, that it's nice to see them release the pressure valve—if even for 24 hours.” 

The overnight stay was more than just a evening away from school and from home, but an opportunity to learn more about the importance of working as a team, both at Darlington and beyond. This included a variety of activities and challenges that took students out of their normal peer groups, allowing them to learn more about their fellow classmates and from these specific interactions. Certain tasks were delegated, and it was up to the students to figure out how to achieve their assigned goals. 

“While a lot of people were voicing their ideas and opinions at first, we weren't really getting anything accomplished,” said senior Kyle Wagers. “When we put aside our stubbornness and began truly working together to achieve a goal, we saw a lot of progress.” 

The senior retreat not only taught students how to accomplish great things by working across the boundaries that are often cultivated over the years, but other life lessons as well. The trip taught them of the fleeting essence of time, and that change, in their young lives especially, is inevitable. 

“By senior year, you look around and see the kids you have grown up with combined with faces that have come within the past four years,” said senior Rachel Hudson. “You realize how quickly the time has passed and start to appreciate the moments you have left with your class.” 

“[The retreat] plants the seeds to cherish these last months, instead of wishing them away,” said Ms. Peek.   

Every year, Darlington seniors walk away from this experience enlightened, appreciative and aware of the common thread that unites the class together. 

“Between the silly games and jokes, it’s revealed how being at Darlington has given your class an unmistakable bond and unbreakable connection,” said Hudson. 

Click here to view additional photos from the senior retreat.

Darlington School’s Class of 2015 is comprised of 121 students, 56 of which are residential. The senior student body represents 10 states and 16 countries.