Connect Retreats 2023
Wednesday, August 23 8:00am-3:00pm
We are excited to introduce a new event at the beginning of the school year – the Connect Retreats. On August 23rd, the second full day of school, all students will participate in a Connect Retreat, a day-long experience built around growing teacher and student relationships to promote moments of connection and belonging.
Vision
Freshmen: Show Up
Freshman will spend a morning on Wheaton Academy’s campus being challenged to SHOW UP this school year – stepping into high school by trying something new and contributing to the school community with their presence.
Sophomores: Step Up
Sophomores will spend the morning on Wheaton Academy’s campus being called to STEP UP – to understand that even as second-year students, they are culture shapers and have more influence than they realize.
Juniors: Rise Up
Juniors will spend the morning at Pottawatomie Park in St. Charles, learning about what it looks like to RISE UP into leadership and influence roles as upperclassmen.
Seniors: Own Up
Seniors will also spend time at Pottawatomie Park in St. Charles, embracing the call to OWN UP their final year in high school, exerting ownership of school culture and the importance of being a leader worth following.
All School: Look Up
After a morning of class-specific activity, the entire student body will reconvene back to Wheaton Academy’s campus for an all-school lunch. After lunch, students will conclude the Connect Retreats with all school worship in the FAC, called to LOOK UP and fix our eyes on the Lord Jesus Christ, the sovereign and loving God who assembled this year’s school community.
Logistics
Attire: Students will be active throughout the day and are therefore encouraged to wear athletic, retreat attire, adhering to WA’s dress code standards (no leggings, no midriff, no rips in pants).
Lunch: A complimentary hamburger and hotdog picnic lunch will be provided for all students, as well as snacks and water throughout the morning. Students are welcome to bring their own water bottles.
Forms: A giant trampoline will be available to all students during our all-school picnic, and seniors will be attending Urban Air trampoline park. The permission slip for these activities can be found in the Magnus Health back-to-school forms. They must be completed before students can participate.
Phones: Students will have limited access to cell phones in the morning (especially from 8:00am – 12:00pm)
School Supplies: No need to bring typical school supplies to these retreat days; however, freshmen: please bring your Dell Latitudes for important Tech Training.
Arrival at 8:00am:
- Freshman parents, please drop off your student by the Field House Drop Zone in the Central Lot of Wheaton Academy Campus.
- Sophomore parents, please drop off your student by the Fine Arts Center Drop Zone in the North Lot of Wheaton Academy Campus.
- Juniors and Seniors should meet at the Pottawatomie Parking Lot (Parking Lot North): 2 North Ave, St. Charles, IL 60174
- Transportation: It is our hope that these students will be able to transport themselves to the park–independently, with friends, or with parents. If your student needs assistance with transportation, please complete this form and our faculty + staff will do our best to accommodate your needs.
Pick-Up at 3:00pm: All students will be ready for pick-up when the Connect Retreats conclude at 3:00pm. We appreciate your patience as we all navigate the construction.
Schedule
Freshmen
8:00am: Arrive on Wheaton Academy Campus and head to the Field House
8:15am: Sessions + activities around “Show Up”
9:00-11:00am: Session Rotations, including trivia and tie-dying shirts (provided)
11:00am: Photo Scavenger Hunt competition
11:30am: Tech Training + Team Building using Dell Latitude Computers (please bring)
12:30pm: All School Assembly in the Fine Arts Center
1:00pm: All School Picnic + Games
2:15pm: All School Worship Service
2:45pm: Celebration
Sophomores
8:00am: Arrive on Wheaton Academy Campus and head to the Fine Arts Center
8:15am: Vision around “Step Up”
9:30am: Photo Scavenger Hunt competition and art project
10:30am: Team Building + Giant Trampoline early access
12:30pm: All School Assembly in the Fine Arts Center
1:00pm: All School Picnic + Games
2:15pm: All School Worship Service
2:45pm: Celebration
Juniors
8:00am: Arrive at Pottawatomie Park in St. Charles + Check in activities
8:30am: Vision around “Rise Up”
9:00am: Station Rotations including athletic activities and reflection
10:00am: Rotations including Riverboat Cruise, capture the flag, and creative activities
12:00pm: Return to Wheaton Academy
12:30pm: All School Assembly in the Fine Arts Center
1:00pm: All School Picnic + Games
2:15pm: All School Worship Service
2:45pm: Celebration
Seniors
8:00am: Arrive at Pottawatomie Park in St. Charles + Check in activities
8:30am: Vision around “Own Up”
9:00am: Station Rotations including athletic activities and reflection
10:00am: Activities at Urban Air Trampoline Park in St. Charles
12:00pm: Return to Wheaton Academy
12:30pm: All School Assembly in the Fine Arts Center
1:00pm: All School Picnic + Games
2:15pm: All School Worship Service
2:45pm: Celebration