In mid-September, Prep’s seventh and eighth graders spent three days at Camp Lawrence Daley, a camp in Malibu tucked into the Santa Monica Mountains–famously known for its scene in the movie Planet of the Apes. Here, the middle schoolers gained the opportunity to create unforgettable memories with their classmates.

When the 7th graders arrived at Camp Lawrence, they settled themselves in assigned dorm-style cabin groups, while the 8th graders had the opportunity to choose their cabinmates. Students enjoyed the picturesque scenery of the forest as they participated in a hike that returned at 3 p.m. They were also given time to swim in the pool at the camp and smacked pool noodles on each other’s heads for fun. 

The feedback on the cafeteria food during the trip was overwhelmingly positive. Many students enjoyed taco night and had extra churros and creamers, but some believed their opinion on the meals were as such due to their “insatiable hunger” after hours of hiking, said Smith. 

Not long after the students joined their activity groups, they decided on unusual names, some including “The Big Barts” and “The Juicy Juices.” They soon engaged in an activity called Bunny Bunny where everyone would chant specific names to break the ice. Bowman noted that everyone chanted “Boom-cha, Boom-cha” as they walked in a circle and clapped their hands while the people who were outside of it had to walk around the circle. Some alternative names he gave this activity were “Budget Satan Summoning” and “The Dollar General Satan Triangle.”

This was not the only unusual aspect of the trip, however. It was widely rumored that someone from the boys cabin reportedly put a soccer ball in their cabin’s toilet. Ms. Burton, the Dean of students, assured the middle schoolers and the Press that the story was grossly exaggerated. Regardless, the students returned from the trip with eagerness to share their version of the stories.

From churros and pool-noodle duels to six hour hikes and stargazing, the class trips left everyone tired but closer than ever, having strengthened the bond between the student body while blossoming new friendships. Lucy Smith, an eighth grader, stated, “My favorite part of the entire trip was getting to spend time with my friends in the cabins.” Eliot added onto this, stating it gave him “a greater sense of camaraderie with his peers.”