Last week, Newman’s 8th graders returned from their annual trip to Kanuga. Kanuga is a camp located in North Carolina where students go to each year to spend time together as a grade and to develop strong bonds with their peers. The 8th grade is divided into small co-ed groups with each group having its own set of teachers and leaders.

At Kanuga, students participate in a variety of different team-building exercises before hitting the trails. Then, the groups spend a portion of the week-long trip living in the woods. Each day spent in the woods, students hike, cook their own meals, and set up tents to sleep in. To pass time, students play numerous games and activities, share stories, solve riddles, and more, all of which help the students among each group grow closer to one another.

Kanuga was no different for this year’s 8th graders. Although it rained for the first three days, the students still found ways to have fun and create memories. While at base camp (the place you stayed while not in the forest), the 8th graders did rock wall climbing, rope courses, night hikes, and other fun activities. In addition, the students had the opportunity to go white water rafting, which was a lot of fun, but very cold. 8th grader Sara Francis said her favorite part about Kanuga was the “night hikes and hanging out at base camp with her classmates.”

In total, the 8th graders were on the trail for three days and two nights. Despite the rain, the students had a great time and established new bonds and friendships.