Bright and early on Thursday, August 21st, 158 Padua Academy freshmen boarded the buses that would take them to Sandy Hill Camp and Retreat Center. They then spent the day bonding with their fellow classmates through group activities such as rope courses, interactive games, and rock-wall climbing. They also had a period of free time where the girls could hang out with other students not in their assigned groups.  On the ropes course, the girls were required to climb 30 feet up on a ladder with a partner while the rest of their team cheered below. Those on the ground also acted as “belayers,” holding the ropes attached to the climbers’ harnesses. The girls then had to climb across a rope ladder suspended horizontally in the air.

Hailea Stockburger, (‘18)  said, “I was scared of heights so I was nervous getting on the high ropes courses, but when I finished I thought it was fun.”

Despite some girls suffering from vertigo on the ropes course and rock wall, everyone agreed that it was a fun time and great bonding experience.

“We got a sneak-a-peek of some of the girls in our homeroom,” said Bridget Fey (‘18) “and now I’m friends with some of them,”