There is something special about getting away from the normal school-day routine. From August 20–22, KCS High School students traded classrooms for the beautiful surroundings of the Smoky Mountain Christian Camp for a retreat filled with faith, friendship, food, swimming, kayaking, laughter and some seriously spirited class competition.
The annual High School Retreat gave freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors an opportunity to spend time together outside the classroom, strengthen relationships with classmates and school leadership, and begin the year focused on something even more important: the foundation on which they are building their lives.
Building on a Firm Foundation
Throughout the retreat, students participated in devotionals that challenged them to think about where they turn for information, direction and truth. Are we allowing the world to determine what we believe and how we live, or are we looking first to God’s Word?
That conversation connected with Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 7 about the wise and foolish builders. One built his house on rock, while the other built on sand. When the storms came, the strength of each foundation became clear.
It was a fitting message for students at every stage of high school. Whether just beginning their freshman year or preparing for life after graduation, the choices they make now are helping build the foundation for what comes next.
Pancakes, Paddles and a Power Outage
Nothing says retreat quite like waking up to pancakes! One of the fun traditions of the KCS High School Retreat is that KCS leadership prepares all of the meals for the students, giving them another opportunity to serve and spend time with our Knights outside the usual school-day setting. Breakfast pancakes were a definite highlight and helped fuel everyone for another full day of retreat fun.
And there was plenty of fun to be had. Students spent time swimming, kayaking and simply enjoying being together at camp. The weekend even brought an unexpected adventure when the power went out! Rather than letting it interrupt the experience, students and staff rolled with it, turning an unplanned moment into yet another retreat memory they’ll be able to share.
Four Classes, Three Competitions and Plenty of Class Pride
The retreat also kicked off a high school-wide competition between the Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors. With three different challenges testing creativity, teamwork and strategy, the competition was too much fun to contain in one weekend.
In fact, the challenges continued after everyone returned to campus and officially wrapped up last week, keeping the retreat spirit and friendly rivalry going well beyond Smoky Mountain Christian Camp.
The first challenge was the Class Flag Project and Presentation. Each grade created a flag that represented its class, then explained the symbolism and presented its design to everyone in attendance!
The winning Junior flag showed that the Class of 2028 understood the assignment. Playing off the familiar In-N-Out Burger design, they created their own “In-N-Almost-Out” flag. As juniors, they’re not quite finished with high school, but they can definitely see the exit from here! It was creative, funny and perfectly captured where their class is in the high school journey.
Eggs, Jenga and Bragging Rights
The second competition brought out a different set of skills with the Egg Game. This time, the Seniors claimed first place, while the Juniors took second, adding another strong finish to their retreat competition.
Then came GIANT JENGA!
What began at the retreat continued into a tournament back at KCS as students worked their way toward the championship. Every careful pull mattered as the tower grew increasingly unstable and classmates watched with baited breath to see who could keep it standing.
In tournament play, 12th grade defeated 9th grade, while 11th grade defeated 10th grade, advancing the upperclassmen and setting the stage for the final showdown.
It was exactly the kind of friendly competition the retreat was meant to encourage: a little strategy, a little pressure, plenty of laughter and classmates cheering one another on.
More Than a Weekend Away
The games earned bragging rights, but the High School Retreat was about much more than first and second place.
Between devotionals, prayer, pancakes, swimming, kayaking, competitions, an unexpected power outage and time spent simply being together, students had the chance to build relationships that don’t always have time to develop during a regular school day.
Those shared experiences are an important part of the community KCS strives to create, one where students are known, encouraged, challenged and given opportunities to grow alongside one another.
The message of the wise builder also followed students beyond devotional time. Building something strong takes intention. Whether it is a Jenga tower, a friendship, a class community or a life of faith, the foundation matters.
Our students returned from Smoky Mountain Christian Camp with plenty of stories, some well-earned class pride and, we hope, a renewed understanding of where to turn as they navigate the year ahead.
Still Looking for the Right Fit? It’s Not Too Late.
The school year may have started, but that doesn’t mean your family has to spend the rest of it in a school environment that doesn’t feel like the right fit.
At KCS, experiences like our High School Retreat are part of something bigger. We want students to be known, supported and challenged academically while also having opportunities to build meaningful friendships, develop as leaders and grow in their faith.
If the start of this school year has left you wondering whether your child might thrive in a smaller, Christ-centered school community, there is still time to explore KCS. Limited enrollment opportunities remain available across grade levels.
Come discover whether Knoxville Christian School could be the right fit for your family. Learn more about enrollment opportunities, schedule a visit and see what it means to be part of the KCS community.