In January, 8th-grade students went to Orlando on a field trip called Pathfinders. During their two-night stay, they enjoyed many fun activities and deepened their connections with their classmates.
“Pathfinders created an environment that encouraged meaningful conversations and built bridges between classmates who might not have interacted otherwise,” said Stella Espinosa ‘29.
During the experience, students participated in several outdoor activities, such as making a fire, zip lining, rock climbing, and making s’mores. In addition, they had the opportunity to spend time alone to meditate at night, to participate in trust-building activities, and to write letters to their future selves.
Many of the students arrived with mixed expectations and were scared about how the trip would turn out, especially because they had not heard anything about the trip from their upperclassmen. However, by the end, everyone felt happy, connected, and excited about the new friendships they had made.
“When we arrived, I was not sure, but once we got into our activities, I knew it would be fun,” said Camila Moreno ‘29.
Teachers also witnessed developed their own connections.
“My relationship with teachers, peers, and students changed,” said Upper School Religion Teacher Mrs. Molleda.
A highlight of the trip for many was the opportunity to learn new things about their classmates. “I learned things about people I would’ve never learned if it were not for Pathfinders,” said Espinosa.
In addition to finding out more about each other, students were pushed out of their comfort zones through a variety of activities.
“My favorite experience was watching you girls do the obstacle course,” said Mrs. Molleda.
Of course, it wouldn’t be a true school trip without strong opinions about the food.
“The food was really bad… It was very bad,” said Espinosa.
But others felt differently.
“Honestly, I did not dread the food,” said Moreno. “I’m not a picky eater, so I just made use of what I had.”
Field trips like Pathfinders are important for building community and personal growth, especially for teenagers. According to USM news, middle school retreats help students connect and grow in their understanding of themselves.
LifeTeen explains that retreats help deepen connections and provide space for self-reflection. Overall, Pathfinders and similar experiences offer a chance to grow, connect, and create lasting memories.
At the end of this trip, a few tears were shared along with laughs, screams, and so much excitement. Rising 8th graders should go to Pathfinders next year with a lightly packed bag, bug spray, card games, and, most importantly, an open mind. Although the class of 2029 had low expectations for the trip, it has so far, been our favorite yet.
