On Saturday Jan. 18, the entire sophomore class departed for the annual week-long retreat in Costa Rica with no devices, returning just four days ago. The sophomores stayed at a resort in a small town called Dominical, going on multiple daytime excursions throughout the week, including snorkeling, surfing, white-water rafting and horseback riding. A typical day for the sophomores would start with breakfast at 6:45 a.m. and ending with lights out in all rooms at 9:30 p.m.
The early wakeup time was due to the immense heat that occurred during the afternoon, with the morning being treasured for having cooler weather. Although the climate was more ideal in the morning, the morning was also cherished for the solidarity it provided. Throughout the trip, there was little time given to students to be alone, so the mornings were the perfect time to go on walks or read, which many students chose to do. In this way, mornings in Costa Rica were able to teach students the value of solidarity and making time for yourself.
On Wednesday, the day group “Stuart” took buses and trucks to horses, where they were split in half. While the first section went on horseback to the waterfall and returned in trucks, the second section rode in trucks to the waterfall and returned on horseback. The Stuart group reunited at the waterfall and many individuals jumped off of the 22-foot drop or swam around before leaving for salsa dancing back at the resort.
At the waterfall, there were some students that immediately beelined to climb the cliff, but some hesitated. The waterfall was intimidating, and yet most students in the Stuart group eventually found themselves in line to jump and make the difficult journey up the waterfall. Within the line, any individual expressing nervousness for the climb was met with a response of comfort, further portraying the necessity of friendship through fear.
Although the activities in the afternoon were enjoyed by the students, the resort itself offered a variety of possibilities, with a bar producing milkshakes and smoothies, a garden, a pool table and a large swimming pool. While the nighttime activities were often centered around the pool or card games, there was also a talent show and salsa dancing competition that was open to all from the sophomore class.
Sophomore Kaden Gandhi performed two songs on his trumpet during the talent show, including “It’s Been a Long Long Time”, which he played again later in the night at the pool. Other than a few students who brought a Musicplayer and Kaden’s trumpet, the class had no opportunity for music or digital connection during this week.
One of the reasons Costa Rica is missed so much is because many love not having their phone or any other digital device. This disconnect from personal electronics allows for a deeper connection to be formed throughout students, focusing on strengthening the friendships in the sophomore class through real-life interaction rather than through electronic devices. Therefore, the Costa Rica trip creates a valuable sense of community that prepares sophomore students for the combined classes between Convent and Stuart Hall that will occur in junior year.
