By Jay Lee ’24
During the first weekend of November, the Prefects attended the Prefect Retreat hosted by Adventure Recovery. Adventure Recovery guides young people through the internal and external wilderness, cultivating a lifelong passion for learning and adventure. With Mr. Fladager and Mr. DePreter, the Prefects went out of their comfort zone.
After athletic contests, the prefects loaded up the bus with outdoor camping gear, like sleeping bags and headlights, and departed around 5 PM. After a 40-minute drive, we arrived at the Adventure Recovery basecamp. The first thing they did was distribute roles: Erin Whitney and Jay Lee made dinner for the whole crew, Bea Flynn and Layla Copen became the campfire keepers who made sure the campfire did not go out, Alejandro Zafra made breakfast, and Ty Novenstein and Taylor Brown woke everyone up in time and become organized outdoor activities and games. While eating dinner, they all shared their thoughts about being leaders compared to our main subject— fire. Leaders can warm people around them and light them to enhance their motivations like fuel. They had to make their own fire using flint and steel, and it was one of the most challenging activities. But, they all completed this challenge as a team. Whenever the prefects faced challenges at school, they will solve challenges together as they complete this “fire” challenge.
The next day, the prefects all went rock climbing and rapelled down the mountain after the climb, which were their main challenges for the day. Some prefects had a fear of heights, and others had never tried those activities before. But, everyone tried either rock climbing or rappelling to overcome their fear. They all cheered and supported each other, making sure not to give up. From rock climbing and repelling, they learned how to support each other and get out of their comfort zones.
Prefect Taylor Brown described the experience with exuberance. “The Prefect retreat gave our already very close group time to grow even closer with one another and take on new and fun challenges.” After this Prefect Retreat, the eight prefects at The Frederick Gunn School will step forward to become more developed leaders.
