Retreat

Each year, a select group of over 25 high school juniors and more than 10 adult mentors, including teachers, counselors, and administrators, embark on a transformative two-day seminar at Camp Burgess on Cape Cod. This immersive retreat offers students and staff the opportunity to step away from the daily routines of school life and engage in honest, in-depth conversations about some of the most pressing social and cultural issues facing young people today.

The retreat is built around five core themes:

Gender Roles

Participants explore how traditional gender expectations shape individual identity, interpersonal relationships, and opportunities. The discussions examine how societal norms can limit self-expression and influence behavior.

Masculinity and the Socialization of Boys

This topic dives into the messages boys receive from a young age about what it means to “be a man.” Through guided discussion and reflection, students consider the pressures and consequences of conforming to narrow definitions of masculinity.

Pornography and Its Effects on Individuals and Society

Students engage in thoughtful dialogue about the widespread availability of pornography and its impact on attitudes toward sex, intimacy, and relationships. The seminar fosters critical thinking about how media influences perceptions of consent, body image, and connection.

Rape Culture and the “Norms” That Lead to Violence

Through candid conversation and case studies, students analyze how everyday language, jokes, and behaviors can normalize or excuse sexual violence. The goal is to raise awareness of the underlying cultural patterns that contribute to a permissive environment for harassment and assault.

Strategies to Become an "Upstander"

The final component empowers students with practical tools and strategies to challenge harmful behaviors, support peers, and take positive action in their communities. The focus is on cultivating leadership, empathy, and the courage to speak up and intervene when necessary.

The retreat is rooted in mutual respect, confidentiality, and a commitment to open-minded dialogue. Students leave the retreat with a deeper understanding of themselves and others, a stronger sense of social responsibility, and a clearer vision of the role they can play in creating a safer, more inclusive school culture that does not accept any form of gender based violence.

Page updated

Report abuse