On August 29 and 30, the junior and senior high students took a step away from school life to enjoy the annual school retreat. Held at the DaySpring Conference Center in Parrish, the retreat allowed students to unwind from their schoolwork in order to focus on fellowship with friends.
Seventh grader Jocelyn Neumann said, “I loved how we got to interact with others and got to know who people are.”
Although the students were able to enjoy games and delicious food, they also had a chance to reflect on their relationship with God. The guest speaker, Pastor Matt Rowley from River Reach Baptist Church in Jacksonville, preached about Paul’s conversion on the road to Damascus, reminding students that God’s grace should cause a transformation in their lives. “And be not 
conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Romans 12:2). Along with the daily teaching, the students played numerous outdoor and indoor games. Some of the games included Swamp Tag, Cat in the Hat, Dodgeball, the Tic-Tac-Toe Challenge, and ice-breaker games that allowed students to get to know their teachers better.
Sophomore Bryce Dowdy said, “I really enjoyed this year’s retreat! I really liked the game with dodgeball inside the gym, where everyone was running, screaming, and jumping to get away from the ball!”
These games provided a great distraction from school and gave students a chance to bond with new classmates. The students came back from the two day break with refreshed and revitalized spirits. Ultimately, the retreat gave students a chance to start this school year transformed to be more like Christ.
Christiane Anton is a senior honors student at CCS where she has attended since preschool.
She and her family attend Bible Baptist Church in Bradenton. She enjoys calligraphy, basketball, and volleyball.