BY PENNY LEUTHARD, STAFF WRITER

 

 

The high-energy retreat, which was sponsored by a private donor, was created to give students tools to develop empathy, promote kindness and prevent bullying.

 

Students were welcomed to the retreat with music and high-energy activities to break down social barriers and build a sense of community. The staff then shared the day’s goals and encouraged students to take a closer look at how they treat both themselves and others. 

 

Retreat staff shared personal stories on what they’ve overcome and challenged students to make a difference in their lives and in their school. Throughout the day, students also met in small groups, which were led by volunteers from Tech High School.

 

At the end of the retreat, students had the chance to share how they plan to show more kindness to their classmates and others around them.

 

“Vanessa (one of the group leaders) told us a story about how she lived in Mexico and then came to Minnesota,” said fourth-grader Noah K. “She didn’t know how to speak English and a kid called Lucas asked why she talked so funny and trash talked her locker because she had stickers on it. She told us just because you say, ‘just kidding,’ doesn’t mean it’s okay.”

 

“Josh (another group leader) told us he was the tallest kid in his class and a tiny girl beat him at dodgeball,” said Tylin L. “People started making fun of him because of it.”

 

“We made boomerang cards that said what we’re sorry for and why,” she continued. “I’m going to thank my teacher and my classmates. If you’re kind to someone they’ll be kind to you.”

 

The retreat has three key learning objectives. To understand why and how to make kind choices, to enhance empathy skills to understand how words and actions affect others, and to acquire conflict-resolution skills to safely respond to situations of bullying.

 

“I learned that kindness is better than anything else in your life,” said Tylin. “If someone is sitting on the Buddy Bench you should ask them to play.”

 

“I learned you shouldn’t leave people out,” said Noah. “If you see someone left out you should ask them if they want to be included. Everyone is the same, you can be their friend.”

 

Joe Cavanaugh was inspired to begin Youth Frontiers in 1987 after a student told him she was being bullied and asked if there was anything he could do to stop it from happening. His goal was to build school communities where everyone is treated with dignity and respect, and to show all students that they matter.

 

Youth Frontiers’ mission is to provide schools with experiences that inspire character, civility and community. They offer one-day student retreats focused on kindness, courage and respect, as well as educator retreats to help schools support their educators and create cohesive teams that focus on students.

 

Character traits are built and enhanced by experiences throughout a person’s life. Research has shown that students with high social-emotional learning and character skills perform better academically and take more responsibility for the culture of their school.

 

For more information on Youth Frontiers Kindness Retreats, visit youthfrontiers.org.