Dear Parents and Guardians, We are excited to announce a wonderful opportunity for our 5th-grade students at Banning Lewis Ranch Academy. This year, we are introducing a new tradition aimed at fostering community and character-building among our students. We have organized a single-day retreat at the Ponderosa Retreat Center, located at 15235 S Furrow Rd, Larkspur, CO 80118. The retreat will take place on September 24th. Students will leave Banning Lewis Ranch Academy at 9:00 AM and return to the Ranch around- 6:00 PM. Please drop your child off at the typical time for a school day. This retreat will focus on having fun doing outdoor recreation activities: low ropes course, leather workshop, vertical playpen 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 be the best versions of themselves in their final year of elementary school before going on to the Prep. The total cost for the retreat is $50.06, which includes $42 for the retreat center  and $8.06 for bus fees. Payments can be made via check payable to Banning Lewis Academy or through PaySchools. We believe this retreat will be an invaluable experience for our students, and we hope every student can participate. We understand that some families may need financial assistance to cover the cost of the trip. If this is the case, we encourage you to contact our office as soon as possible so that we can explore available options and ensure that no student misses out on this opportunity due to financial constraints. 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. BLRA Leadership