This fall, our 7th and 8th graders traded the classroom for the great outdoors during their three-day Outdoor Education trip at a new location, Black Rock Retreat in Pennsylvania. Surrounded by crisp air, wooded trails, and wide-open skies, students experienced hands-on learning, team building, and spiritual growth in a setting that celebrated God’s creation.
A Journey Begins
Early on the first morning, students gathered at TCS with packed lunches, journals, and plenty of excitement for the days ahead. After a send-off prayer and meeting with chaperones, the buses rolled toward Black Rock. Once there, students moved into their cabins, shared lunch together, and set off on their first hike, an introduction to both the beautiful landscape and the purpose of the trip: learning through experience, reflection, and faith.
Each day was carefully structured to balance academic learning, outdoor adventure, and spiritual reflection. Journaling during activities allowed students to capture what they were learning, while group games and free time gave them space to build friendships and enjoy being outdoors. Evenings closed with devotions and cabin discussions, then tired bodies fell into bunk beds to rest for the next day.
Learning Beyond the Classroom
Throughout the time, students participated in four rotating classes designed to deepen both knowledge and character.
7th graders explored:
- Animals & Habitats — observing how God’s creatures adapt and thrive in their environments.
- Group Team Building — tackling challenges that required communication, cooperation, and trust.
- Survival Basics — learning essential outdoor skills and problem-solving under pressure.
- High Ropes — facing fears and building confidence while navigating heights.
8th graders took on more advanced challenges, including:
- Geocaching at Black Rock — using GPS and teamwork to locate hidden treasures.
- Advanced Fire Building — mastering fire-building techniques.
- Advanced Creek Study — discovering the ecosystems of local waterways, with some brave students donning boots to explore the creek firsthand.
- Archery — testing skill, focus, and courage.
Each class blended science, teamwork, and faith-based reflection, helping students connect what they learned to how they live.
Faith in Focus: Black Rock Devotion Highlights
Evenings at Black Rock provided some of the most meaningful moments of the trip. Throughout the retreat, the Black Rock staff led powerful devotions that connected Scripture to everyday life. Students learned how small choices, humility, prayer, and the gospel shape the way we live and grow. After large group devotionals, students gathered with chaperones for small group cabin discussions, diving deeper into God’s Word and what it means to live it out.
- Small Choices – Daniel and his friends made seemingly small decisions that acted like dominos, each one moving them closer to God. Students explored how their daily choices shape their long-term direction.
- Pride – Through the stories of two kings with two very different responses, students learned the difference between being proud of something versus living with pride that hinders their relationship with God.
- The Gospel – The staff presented a clear message of salvation, grace, and the personal invitation to respond to Jesus.
- Praying Like Daniel – Daniel’s prayer life was marked by consistency, obedience, humility, and trust no matter the circumstances. Students considered how they could bring these same habits into their own walk with God.
Memories Made and Lessons Learned
By the time the buses rolled back into the TCS parking lot on Day 3, the students were tired but full of stories of courage on the ropes course, teamwork in group challenges, and laughter around the campfire.
Our 7th & 8th grade science teacher, Mrs. Nyrie Janho, shared this reflection about the trip:
The 7th and 8th grade retreat to Black Rock Retreat Center was a phenomenal experience academically, spiritually, and socially for the students as well as the teachers. The devotions and worship led by the staff at the retreat center were so relatable for the students, which led to deep and effective conversations in small groups. The classes we took were high caliber, relating directly to things we have been learning and will learn. Socially it was so great for the students–at this age they long for independence and this gave them a safe, secure, and appropriate way to rise to the challenge of exercising responsibility as they took care of themselves under the supervision of caring and dedicated chaperones. This is hands down one of my favorite things about the TCS experience.
Outdoor Education at Black Rock reminded students and staff alike that learning happens best when hearts, hands, and minds work together. It was a time of growth, connection, and gratitude, an experience that not only strengthened knowledge and friendships, but also deepened faith.