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UPPER SCHOOL RETREAT 2025

HHCA Upper School students and faculty traveled to Carolina Point in Brevard, North Carolina, for the 2025 Upper School Retreat—a beloved tradition that blends spiritual growth, community-building, and milestone memories.

Each day, students gathered in small groups for Bible study and personal devotional time as well as twice-daily sessions led by guest speaker Daniel Hill of Campus Outreach (Columbia, SC). Through his own story, Hill encouraged students not to “miss it”—to resist the pull of finding their significance in the inward or outward, but instead to look upward - to Jesus - to find true, lasting significance in Christ alone.

Worship during each session was led by HHCA’s Upper School Worship Team, who guided their peers in powerful times of praise. On the final night, students ended worship sitting silently, letting the words of the last song sink in before leaving the space in quiet reflection—a moving reminder of God’s presence at work.

When they weren’t in sessions, students enjoyed the crisp mountain air and stunning Carolina Point setting. Free-time activities included an unmatched menu of fun including:

🤙 pickleball, gaga ball and slides in the ogo ball 

🕹ī¸ the inside game pavilion with pool, ping pong, foosball, and shuffleboard

🏎ī¸ go-karts

🏄 paddleboarding

đŸ–ŧī¸ art

🌊 waterslides on the lake

🏐 beach volleyball

2025 SURPRISE! 🎡 A CAGE CARNIVAL

One of the retreat's biggest highlights came courtesy of HHCA student leaders, who pulled off a surprise Cage Carnival. The night kicked off with Mrs. Adams belting the National Anthem before students jumped into classic carnival games, collecting tickets to dunk their favorite mentors. The event included line dancing lessons for the whole group, which brought lots of laughter, smiles, and comradery.

"This retreat was really special to me," shared junior Jackie Hayes. “I really liked the speaker—he did a great job engaging us. I also enjoyed how the student body planned this really fun carnival and led us so well. The food was great too!”

As always, the retreat was a meaningful time for students and mentors to step away from their daily routines, grow in faith, and strengthen their sense of community. Along with new HHCA students and staff and the entire Freshman class, retreat was an HHCA first for Mr. Nathan Martinez, Director of Student Activities, who joined the school last spring. 

I witnessed students encourage each other toward pursuing Christ after sessions, take positive social risks in group settings, and even work up the courage to jump off the high dive into the water below. I saw firsthand what happens when you give students the freedom to take their ideas and make them reality as our student leaders pulled off what was undoubtedly a raving success: the Cage Carnival. From the infamous dunk tank to line dancing, it will be a highlight our high schoolers will remember for years to come.

Nathan Martinez, HHCA Student Activities Director

It was great to see more student leadership during a new session on the second night.  Eli Taylor, Mason Mikkelson and Caitlyn Jackson did a great job creating a Cage Carnival that ended with the whole student body learning to line dance.  That, coupled with the speaker's theme of "Don't Miss It", really had a powerful impact. 

- Upper School Principal Shannon Smith on the unique culture of retreat.

We look forward to seeing the Lord nurture the new friendships formed and deepen the bonds of the Upper School community throughout the year. We pray that the Gospel continues to transform students’ lives as they live out what began at Carolina Point.

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