Dear Parents and Guardians,

We are excited to announce a wonderful opportunity for our 9th grade students at Banning Lewis Academy. This year, we are introducing a new tradition aimed at fostering community and character building among our students. We have organized an overnight retreat at the Ponderosa Retreat Center, located at 15235 S Furrow Rd, Larkspur, CO 80118. The retreat will take place from August 12th to August 13th. Students will depart from Banning Lewis Preparatory Academy on August 12th at 8:30 AM and will return on August 13th at 5:30 PM.

This retreat will focus on community building doing outdoor recreation activities: high ropes course, tomahawk throwing, archery, hiking and more. We will also focus on the core values of Banning Lewis Academy, encapsulated in our "LEAD the Herd" values. Students will engage in activities designed to promote Living Safely, Engaging with Respect, Acting with Kindness, and Demonstrating Responsibility, which are values that are universal and vital. Students will form strong bonds with their peers and reflect on how they will enter this next chapter of their lives. These experiences are crucial for laying the foundation for a successful and healthy high school journey.

The total cost per student for the retreat is $167, which includes $157 for the retreat center and a $10 bus fee. The school will cover half of the cost and are asking families to cover the other half of the cost, $83. Payments can be made through Payschools. This will be an important part of 9th grade and we want all students to be able to participate, so if this cost is prohibitive for your family, please reach out to [email protected]. We have set aside additional funds to ensure all of our students can participate!

Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or need further information about the retreat. We are here to help and support all our students in making the most of this experience.

Thank you for your continued support and cooperation.

Warm regards,

Athena Rehorst

BLPA Principal