Riverside High School juniors and seniors returned from YMCA Camp Willson near Bellefontaine with renewed confidence, deeper friendships and unforgettable memories following their milestone biennial retreat.

Feedback gathered directly from participating students captured the true impact of the trip, showing a greater sense of peer connection, personal empowerment and school belonging among the teen girls.

The journey began Sunday evening as guest speaker MaryBeth Motasem welcomed the group for an opening gathering and time of reflection.

Monday, the energy continued to build with featured speaker Katie Rychener, who led small-group workshops centered on self-worth encouraging students to embrace their unique strengths, recognize their inherent value, and lift one another up.

Between speaker sessions, the retreat was filled with high-energy outdoor activities where students cheered each other on to step out of their comfort zones. Whether scaling the rock climbing wall, exploring guided nature hikes or conquering team-building challenges, the girls built trust through shared triumph.

The real heart of the retreat happened during evening cabin time. Unplugged from daily distractions, this dedicated group time sparked deep, authentic conversations among peers and staff chaperones, laying a lasting foundation of trust, empathy and mutual support.

Hosted once every two years, this retreat continues to play a vital role in supporting the social-emotional growth of Riverside’s upperclassmen, empowering them to step into their final years of high school with confidence and strong peer support networks.