PRCA Retreat 2011

Tradition – a crucial element of the PRCA environment. Whether it be the customary singing of “Our God is an Awesome God” to close every football game or the Spirit Week fight song competition, the true spirit of Pusch Ridge is perhaps best embodied in the rituals, both solemn and fun, that have become a vital part of our school culture. Perhaps the most anticipated Pusch Ridge tradition is the annual high school retreat, a three-day excursion held in the serene mountains of Prescott, Arizona – a time stolen from textbooks to bond with peers and teachers, worship God wholeheartedly, and have an obscene amount of fun in between.

The motto of Retreat 2011 was “The Refiner’s Fire,” a concept eloquently explored by Pastor Derek Overstreet through a series of talks. He spoke of the trials present in each of our lives that seem to scorch, singe, and consume our zeal. He relayed a story of his own struggle, coping with an impaired back and paralyzed foot, which provoked a fear that he’d never be able to shoot hoops with his son again. No matter how desperate the situation, Pastor Overstreet urged, these fiery circumstances are meant to refine, not repress. His message was perhaps all the more inspirational as students witnessed him dominate in Ultimate Frisbee.

Despite a serious glitch, the worship music was phenomenal; junior Joel Johnson spontaneously stepped in to play guitar and lead the singing after the originally-lined-up musician cancelled at the last second. Acoustic melodies like “Fire Fall Down” and “You Won’t Relent” perfectly complimented the camp theme. Small-group meetings followed every sermon – these were times of openness and vulnerability in which clusters of students and their designated teacher/leaders met to listen to and support one another. My group of senior ladies, led by the lovely Mrs. Rhone, even developed our own tagline – “Me, Too” – a commonality phrase used to assure those struggling with any kind of issue that they are not alone. Lifelong relationships were bridged through these small-group interactions, and many hearts were renewed for Christ.

 

Whoever says Christians can’t have fun has obviously never been a part of Retreat. From “Underground Railroad” to sponge dodgeball, competition is what makes the trip unforgettable. Reaching the shed on the edge of the football field without being caught is the goal of Underground Railroad, and only those with unparalleled expertise in slithering through the woods undetected can succeed. Even my experienced, determined, and camouflage-clad crew couldn’t make it past the fierce, lurking eyes of the legendary catcher himself – Mr. Clapero. Another highly-anticipated element of retreat is seniors-versus-juniors flag football, in which boys and girls compete in two separate matches, and the winners garner the privilege of pelting the losing class with water balloons at the dreaded “gauntlet” walk. Last year’s retreat produced a major upset when the juniors emerged victorious, and as much as it pains me to say it, this year proved to hold the same prodigious results, as the juniors trumped their adversaries in both games. The seniors, however, did not wallow in defeat, but accepted our fate with glee, chanting, “We want the gauntlet…” and “Throw harder!” Our positivity was heightened when in the sponge dodgeball competition, an unexpected hero emerged from the senior class – Cody Jackson, who single-handedly stood his ground against a slew of junior boys, earning triumph for the seniors and legendary status for Cody.

Upon arriving at Retreat, the Class of 2012 was fully aware that it would be our last stay at Camp Pinerock, and we were determined to wreak a little harmless havoc – specifically targeted at the Class of 2013. By the morning of departure, a massive “’12,” constructed of an amalgam of juniors’ shoes, graced the lawn in the center of camp. There were also uncorroborated tales circulating from the boys’ side of toilet seats slathered in Icy-Hot… Regardless of the exact measures taken, the seniors were successful in making our final appearance at retreat the most memorable of them all, and perhaps in implementing some new traditions of our own.

Written by senior Caroline Roessler

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