Planned with input from the Upper School Senate, last week’s retreat at Camp JORI in Narragansett, Rhode Island, featured fresh changes—from advisory activities to the launch of the Gator Games—that energized students for the year ahead.

This annual School tradition, designed to help students adjust to the new school year, is planned over the summer by the Upper School Senate and Student Life Director Tess Cicala.

“I met with Ms. Cicala and Senate over the summer to discuss ideas and brainstorm changes that we’d like to have for camp,” Upper School Senate President Mary Wang ’26 said.

Changes to this year’s camp include getting rid of camp families, switching instead to participating in activities with advisory groups.

Furthermore, students were sorted into teams that will compete in activities throughout the year, fondly named the Gator Games. These changes aim to promote school spirit and allow students to create lasting friendships for the upcoming academic year.

“I thought camp went really well and even went above my expectations, especially with the Gator Games and the different station activities we had on Friday that showed excellent school spirit,” Wang said.

Students were allowed to select their own activities, marking another change from previous years.

“I really enjoyed getting to have a say in how my time at camp was spent,” Marguerite Bourgeois ’27 said. “It allowed me and other students to pursue our own unique interests and make the most of our time there,”

Linnea Imbrie ’27, a new junior at the School, said camp helped her to connect with her classmates.

“As a new student, I found camp to be helpful for meeting new people. I especially liked arts and crafts,” Imbrie said.

Editor’s Note: Upper School Senate President Mary Wang ’26 is also Editor-in-Chief of The Gator. With the exception of her quotations, she was not involved in the writing of this story.