Karrie Meyers – Highlands Ranch, Colorado … Each year, the Upper School students at Mile High Academy (MHA) in Highlands Ranch, Colorado, look forward to beginning the school year with its annual retreat.
This year’s retreat, held August 20–22 at Glacier View Ranch in Ward, Colorado, brought together the entire Upper School classes along with faculty and several parent sponsors. MHA’s Student Association officers arrived on Wednesday, August 20, to help prepare, with the rest of the group joining Thursday morning.
The highlight of the retreat was “Battle to the Light,” a 10-part challenge where small groups worked together to earn points through creative and sometimes daring activities. Students built protective barriers for candles that had to withstand earthquakes, wind, and water, ate whole cloves of garlic, wrote songs highlighting this year’s spiritual theme, and even tested their survival skills building fires.
Beyond the competition, students enjoyed volleyball by the lake, basketball games, and s’mores around the campfire. Worship each morning and evening brought the group together in song and reflection, creating space to focus on God and this year’s theme, “Shine Your Light.” Students also elected their class officers, setting the stage for strong leadership throughout the year.
The group returned Friday afternoon as school dismissed, wrapping up another successful retreat and marking a strong start to the school year.
—Karrie Meyers is the marketing and development coordinator at Mile High Academy. Photos supplied.
