The Class of 2031 upheld the unique tradition of an ‘after-dark’ experience of the MICDS campus, a night filled with food, fun, and our exceptional faculty, making Fifth Grade Adventure Night a one-of-a-kind event.
The adventure included a full day of activities during the school day on Thursday, and it continued through the night until a Friday morning breakfast. Activities on Thursday included time for Art, PE, Escape Room challenges, makerspace creations, letter writing, movies, and more. Later in the day, students began setting up «camp» in the McDonnell Athletic Center (MAC).
With Middle School Teachers Branson Lawrence and Nick Menneke on the grill for the evening, our students and faculty alike enjoyed a fun BBQ picnic dinner. Students then proceeded to station rotations, where they played Minute to Win It games and unleashed their energy in a drum circle before working up a hunger for a late-night pizza party and DJ set by Fifth Grade Dean Christine Mayer. The range of activities ensured that there was something for everyone to enjoy. Then it was time for bed!
On Friday morning, DJ Menneke gently wakened the students with music to head out and enjoy many sunrise session options, including kickball, makerspace, bracelet making, reading, and more. The adventure was capped off with fifth-grade parents joining the students for breakfast.
«Adventure Night was started over a decade ago by Head of Middle School Jen Schuckman when she was a teacher on the fifth-grade team. It’s a fantastic way to celebrate the end of the school year and is a fun and memorable way to commemorate the fifth graders’ hard work and achievements. We love Adventure Night because it fosters community among students as they spend extended time together outside regular school hours. It also provides opportunities for bonding and creating lasting memories with classmates and teachers. Spending an entire evening/night together allows students to engage in deeper conversations, collaborate on tasks, and build stronger friendships. It’s also a chance for students to interact with classmates they may not typically spend time with during the school day. For many students, Adventure Night can be a highlight of their middle school experience. It’s a unique and exciting event that we hope they’ll remember fondly for years to come,» said Mayer.
Fifth-grade participant Feigo Yin ’31 said, «My favorite part about Adventure Night was that I got to play with my friends and eat amazing food. I made new friends. It felt like I was being included in activities. I liked spending time with my friends and teachers because all of my teachers are really nice and fill the night with surprises.»
Fifth Grade Adventure Night was a magical experience for the Class of 2031 that left lasting memories, deepened friendships, and celebrated the students’ achievements in a fun and meaningful way.