Every fifth-grade student at MICDS looks forward to a very special tradition at the end of their school year: Adventure Night! This year, the highly anticipated night fell on Thursday, May 22, and was filled with food, fun, and meaningful moments for our students and their teachers. What started as a new event in 2012, launched by Head of Middle School Jen Schuckman, has become a cherished tradition of a camping-style sleepover on campus.
What did Adventure Night entail for our Class of 2032 students? On Thursday, the day kicked off with an Advisory Lock-In. In their advisories, fifth graders were tasked with typing letters to their parents and guardians. The goal was to write a thoughtful letter that they’d give as a surprise to their families at the following morning’s breakfast. Some wrote about their favorite parts of fifth grade and reflected on how they grew throughout the year. Others shared about what they are looking forward to in the summer and in sixth grade. They closed their letters by noting how their parents/guardians supported them this year and thanked them. With their letters written, they placed them in envelopes; the letters were ready for special delivery in time for the Friday breakfast.
Next, the fifth-grade Rams rotated through four activities. They painted ceiling tiles in the Middle School Makerspace, played the game “Stinky Feet,” tried to puzzle their way out of an Escape Room, and got creative doing artwork. Next, they enjoyed lunch, which was followed by watching a movie—they got to choose among A Goofy Movie, Cars, and Shrek. Then, the typical school day finished out with regular P.E. and art classes.
Next, the evening portion of the adventure began! The McDonnell Athletic Center (MAC) was transformed into a campsite as students arrived with sleeping bags and pillows in tow. Our Middle School faculty grilled a barbecue dinner for all, which students got to enjoy outside. For the next two hours, they participated in “Stations of Fun,” where they played games, built with blocks, and laughed their hearts out while competing in Minute-to-Win-It challenges.
New this year, more fun awaited as students were dazzled by a magic show with Magician and Upper School Spanish Teacher Christopher Barker. He performed a number of tricks with the help of many excited student volunteers and participants. Barker shared, “It was such a treat to perform for the fifth graders during their lock-in! They were a wonderful audience, and I was happy to field some of their questions about my experiences in performing, teaching, and learning magic. I look forward to sharing my magic with them again in the future!”
What’s Adventure Night without an evening pizza and dance party before bed? Around 9:30 to 11:00 p.m., students gathered outside to enjoy some late-night pizza and dance their wiggles out. All too soon, it was time for “lights out” in Camp MAC.
On Friday, May 23, students had a 6:00 a.m. wakeup call. They helped clean up the campsite and then gathered back for a sunrise activity session. Students played matball, made bracelets, and read independently. Then, they finished off the adventure with an advisory breakfast that included their parents and guardians.
Thank you to the fifth-grade team and fellow faculty and staff for making Adventure Night so magical, special, and full of connection, exciting memories, and fun before the next adventure begins for the Class of 2032—sixth grade!