Principia School's senior class eagerly anticipates their upcoming Senior Retreat where they’ll journey—without their phones—to the Leelanau Outdoor Center in Maple City, Michigan. Led by Grace (Bonwich) Hinthorne (US’08, C’12), the Visual Arts and Design teacher and Senior Grade Level Guardian, they are poised for a six-day retreat that promises adventure, growth, and profound camaraderie.
The retreat kicks off with a preparatory workshop centered around Sean Covey's book 7 Habits of Highly Successful Teens, laying the foundation for a week focused on leadership development and unity. Hinthorne emphasizes the core principle of love, encouraging students to approach every challenge with compassion and mutual support.
Throughout their stay, students will engage in a variety of activities designed to stretch their limits and deepen their bonds. From canoe trips to conquering the heights of climbing walls and ropes courses, each experience is crafted to foster teamwork and personal resilience—not only when the going is easy, but when the going gets tough. “We’ll be putting ourselves into challenging situations and showing up for each other when we’re all feeling great, and especially when we’re tired and don’t feel like we’re at our best,” said Hinthorne.
Leadership workshops will guide seniors in setting personal and collective goals, culminating in the creation of individual vision boards that map out aspirations for the coming year and beyond. “Students begin to see the possibilities their lives hold as we create a space for them to focus on their futures and their amazing potential,” said Samantha Dry, Middle and Upper School Principal.
A poignant highlight of the retreat is creating "ness books" for each other, heartfelt books filled with personalized messages and memories from their peers, affirming the unique connections they have forged. This tradition, rooted in vulnerability and authenticity, promises to cultivate a profound sense of belonging and mutual respect among the classmates.
As the days unfold, leaders will prompt student-only discussions on topics such as, “What is true manhood, womanhood, and personhood,” providing a space for students to explore what it means to shift into adulthood.
Hinthorne envisions the trip as an opportunity for students to return home with more than memories—they will carry a deep sense of love and community. "When they feel that sense of love from one another, amazing things will blossom," she said. The retreat aims not only to strengthen their bonds, but also to empower each student to embrace their potential fully, shedding insecurities along the way—a testament to the transformative power of intentional, love-centered education.