From September 9th-12th, the 9th grade class had the opportunity to bond during our exciting trip to Catalina Island. Over these four days, students participated in a variety of outdoor activities, got to know each other and experienced nature up close. 

Our group and counselor assignments were set up so that everyone’s schedules were a bit different. While some of us snorkeled amidst the incredible underwater wildlife, others kayaked along the coast line. There was also plenty of hiking involved in our trip, and the morning hikes were my personal favorite. One of the most popular activities that students participated in was the “Polar Bear Plunge.” Students jumped into the chilling ocean very early in the morning, while it was freezing outside. It was really fun to see everyone’s faces because we were both scared and excited! We had some flexibility on one of the nights and were given a few options on how we wanted to spend our time. Our options were: night astronomy, an evening hike, and snorkeling under the stars. The most popular option was night astronomy and the least popular option was the night snorkel. For the brave students that chose to participate in the night snorkel, they had the amazing experience of seeing beautiful bioluminescent life in the dark sea. 

Each student was assigned a classmate to tent with overnight, providing a great opportunity to build friendships with classmates. One evening, students gathered around the fireplace and made s’mores. This was my favorite moment because we were able to relax and talk with each other. Depending on the group you were in, the day you gathered around the campfire differed.

There was also a touch tank where students could interact with sea creatures like starfish and even sea cucumbers, adding to the island’s unique learning experiences. Deer and the island foxes were spotted throughout the trip, making it even more memorable for everyone that was participating.

Overall, the trip was a great way to kick off the school year and it gave everyone a chance to try new things, make new friends, and enjoy our valuable time in Catalina. Hopefully next year’s trips will be as good as this one!