All students are required to go on the retreat designed for their class each year. Retreats help us take time for spiritual and emotional development and renewal. These programs provide a range of options to make the opportunity meaningful for everyone. There are components that support the Catholic faith and Dominican tradition, but the focus is on connecting with one another in various ways. We simply ask that students allow themselves to be open to the experience and be present in the activities. We distribute permission slips about a week in advance of each retreat.
Freshmen
Freshmen take a day off-campus as an entire class to focus on community. This retreat incorporates large and small group activities. Campus Ministers, several EHS faculty/staff, and junior/senior mentors facilitate this retreat, giving freshmen a nice introduction to the emphasis that Edgewood places on “community.”
Sophomores
Sophomores choose from one of the published dates for their retreat focused on scripture and human dignity. Groups of approximately 30 go off-campus for a day of reflection activities, games, prayer, and opportunities to discover the inherent dignity in all of us. Campus Ministers and Peer Ministers facilitate this program.
Juniors
Juniors engage in a required day of service for their retreat, which is coordinated through the Morality classes. Groups of about four to eight students and one faculty member spend the day at a local non-profit agency providing service. We begin and end the day with prayer and discussion led by Peer Ministers in the EHS Chapel.
There is an additional retreat and service opportunity available to juniors:
The Junior Mission Trip is an optional 4-day retreat and service experience in Chicago. There, participants serve at a variety of places, including a Dominican elementary school, an after-school program for Latino youth, a nursing home, and a soup kitchen. The goal of this retreat is to introduce students to some of the challenges facing those who live in an urban center, but also some of the successes that arise from those challenges. Participants stay at the Br. David Darst Center. Space is limited and participants are selected through an application process. There is a fee to participate in this experience, and financial aid is available for those who qualify.
“I just wanted to thank you for making the Junior Mission
Retreat such a great experience. Our daughter cannot say enough about how
meaningful the weekend was. "Life changing" were her exact words! These are
the experiences that make us love Edgewood!”
Seniors
Seniors choose from two different retreat options to fulfill the graduation requirement:
Senior Christian Retreat of Shared Spirituality (Senior CROSS) is a 4-day retreat at the Shalom Retreat Center in Dubuque, Iowa. The theme of Senior CROSS is “Shared Spirit: Community, Reflection, Action, Connection.” Retreat activities include team-building exercises, adult talks, prayer, student talks, small reflection groups, leadership formation, and lots of fun! Students come away for this retreat transformed, inspired, connected, and ready to begin their senior year. Applications are available at the end of a student’s junior year. There is a fee to participate in this experience, and financial aid is available for those who qualify.
Camp Gray is the second option. Seniors travel in groups of approximately 30 to a 2-day retreat at Camp Gray where they are offered the opportunity to discover the value of relationships with self, others, and God. Meals and lodging are provided, and the program includes games, crafts, and a variety of reflective activities that help participants discover the depths of God’s presence. Campus Ministry recruits several faculty/staff to join this retreat.