By Alyssa Wu
June 15, 2026
On June 12, 2026, Jericho Middle School 8th graders headed to Adventure Park by bus for a final day of outdoor activities, ice cream, and end of year bonding. The annual tradition offers the graduating class one last chance to create lasting memories together in middle school before they begin high school.
Every year, Jericho Middle School hosts a field trip for the 8th graders to celebrate their transition to high school. According to one 8th grade student, “I think Adventureland will be a perfect ending because it takes us out of the classroom. Instead of just saying goodbye in the hallways on the last day, we get to celebrate everything we went through in middle school by having a huge day of outdoor activities. It makes leaving for high school feel a lot more positive. After students go to high school, this field trip would be one of the good memories and I believe that students will definitely [remember] the field trip after they go to high school and meet new friends.” Following the Adventureland trip, 8th graders also have the Crescent Beach Club celebration to look forward to.
As soon as the buses are parked at Adventureland, the day of fun begins as students make their way towards the rides. Since they don’t have to worry about classes or bells ringing, groups of friends can just walk around the park together and go on whatever rides they want. The lines for the food stands can become very long because everyone is trying to get snacks and ice cream, at the same time. It feels totally different from a normal day at school because everyone is just laughing, spending time together, and having fun after a long year of work.
While everyone will inevitably meet new people in high school, this field trip ensures students leave with positive, lasting memories of their middle school years. Ultimately, hanging out with friends in a relaxed, fun environment is the best way to close this chapter of life. To motivate students and encourage them to finish the school year strong, both Jericho Middle School and Jericho High School should host more field trips and fun, community-building activities like this one.