Violet Hoffnung, 7th
For as long as I can remember, each middle-school grade at Kinneret attended a different overnight trip. The fifth grade went to Frost Valley, a YMCA camp in upstate New York; the sixth-grade went on a day-trip to Philadelphia; the seventh-grade went to Boston; and the eighth-grade went to Washington DC The past two years however, the middle-schoolers were unable to attend these trips due to the Coronavirus.
This year, the overarching goal for KDS was becoming “closer to normal.” One part of this goal of becoming “closer to normal” was that middle-schoolers would go on an overnight trip. The previous model for the overnight trips, unfortunately, was still not safe enough for the current Coronavirus situation. Instead, the entire Kinneret Middle School received the incredible opportunity to attend Teva Pearlstone, a retreat/environmental center in the Baltimore Area.
I was very excited about this trip. Since I attended sleepaway camp in the summer, I was excited to experience something close to that, but with the people who I have known for many years. I was also looking forward to seeing my classmates in a non-academic environment.
At Pearlstone, we would hike, play games, spend time with friends, and so much more. One activity in particular that stood out to me was the night walk. On this walk, we saw the sunset, and then took a mini-hike when it was dark. I enjoyed this activity because in the Bronx, you cannot go on a walk at night and not hear the bustling city around you. But at Pearlstone, it was so quiet at night that you could hear the chirping birds and the wind.
Overall, Pearlstone was an amazing experience, and I am so glad I was able to attend. I thank the incredible teachers who chaperoned us for this trip, the Pearlstone staff, and my incredible schoolmates who helped make this experience so special.
This year, the overarching goal for KDS was becoming “closer to normal.” One part of this goal of becoming “closer to normal” was that middle-schoolers would go on an overnight trip. The previous model for the overnight trips, unfortunately, was still not safe enough for the current Coronavirus situation. Instead, the entire Kinneret Middle School received the incredible opportunity to attend Teva Pearlstone, a retreat/environmental center in the Baltimore Area.
I was very excited about this trip. Since I attended sleepaway camp in the summer, I was excited to experience something close to that, but with the people who I have known for many years. I was also looking forward to seeing my classmates in a non-academic environment.
At Pearlstone, we would hike, play games, spend time with friends, and so much more. One activity in particular that stood out to me was the night walk. On this walk, we saw the sunset, and then took a mini-hike when it was dark. I enjoyed this activity because in the Bronx, you cannot go on a walk at night and not hear the bustling city around you. But at Pearlstone, it was so quiet at night that you could hear the chirping birds and the wind.
Overall, Pearlstone was an amazing experience, and I am so glad I was able to attend. I thank the incredible teachers who chaperoned us for this trip, the Pearlstone staff, and my incredible schoolmates who helped make this experience so special.
Omer Dayan, 8th
A view of the Washington Monument and the Jefferson Memorial
Aviv Weiss Kaplan, 8th
One week in Kindergarten, I boarded the van that would take me to school and saw that not one eighth grader was in the van. For that reason, I inquired the location of the eighth graders to one of the seventh-grade vanmates who stated that the eighth graders were on a trip to Washington D.C. Ever since then, I had been looking forward to the eighth grade trip. Although there were many parts of this trip that differed from the traditional Kinneret D.C trip, many of those differences defined this year’s Kinneret trip to Pearlstone. Firstly, the entire Kinneret Middle School and fifth grade took part in this trip. This was a gift to me because this trip allowed me to be able to learn more about the incredible, talented, and unique fifth, sixth, and seventh graders — a group of gifted students that I would no longer be able to see after graduation. Another part of this trip that differed from the standard Washington trips was that most of our time was spent at the Pearlstone Center; an environmental retreat center where we could hike, walk in creeks, and learn creative games. As a person that loves hiking and camping, this trip allowed me to participate in my favorite outdoor activities with some of my closest friends.
Although this year’s trip primarily took place at the Pearlstone retreat center, my class had the fortune of being able to spend one day in the incredible city of Washington D.C, just as the Kinneret eighth grade would do every year before shutdown. During this part of the trip, we were able to go to the Museum of African American History, the Museum of American history, the FDR memorial, the Jefferson memorial, — which is my favorite memorial in the city — and the Pentagon Mall. One thing that fascinated me in Washington that I would love to share is the language exhibit in the Museum of African American History. This museum exhibit discussed how the African-American dialects of English not only affected African-American culture, but also how we perceive American Culture. Sadly, my class did not receive the opportunity to see many of my favorite places in Washington that I see when visiting my second cousins in Washington. Some of these places include but are not limited to: the Lincoln Memorial, the lawn in front of the Capitol, the Smithsonian Castle, the White House, and Planet Word — a linguistics museum that I would highly recommend to anyone who wants to explore the basic skeleton that makes up language. Although there was much we did not see in Washington, we were able to learn a lot about our culture, see a few iconic locations in the city and enjoy being with our classmates. If I were to receive the opportunity to join Kinneret next year on a trip to Pearlstone and Washington D.C, I would immediately accept the invitation. In conclusion, the Pearlstone trip was an incredible experience where we were all able to make deeper friendships, and were taught important lessons about the environment that we can take to our future. To all who will participate in the Kinneret trip next year — enjoy yourselves, as I guarantee that you will have fun.
Although this year’s trip primarily took place at the Pearlstone retreat center, my class had the fortune of being able to spend one day in the incredible city of Washington D.C, just as the Kinneret eighth grade would do every year before shutdown. During this part of the trip, we were able to go to the Museum of African American History, the Museum of American history, the FDR memorial, the Jefferson memorial, — which is my favorite memorial in the city — and the Pentagon Mall. One thing that fascinated me in Washington that I would love to share is the language exhibit in the Museum of African American History. This museum exhibit discussed how the African-American dialects of English not only affected African-American culture, but also how we perceive American Culture. Sadly, my class did not receive the opportunity to see many of my favorite places in Washington that I see when visiting my second cousins in Washington. Some of these places include but are not limited to: the Lincoln Memorial, the lawn in front of the Capitol, the Smithsonian Castle, the White House, and Planet Word — a linguistics museum that I would highly recommend to anyone who wants to explore the basic skeleton that makes up language. Although there was much we did not see in Washington, we were able to learn a lot about our culture, see a few iconic locations in the city and enjoy being with our classmates. If I were to receive the opportunity to join Kinneret next year on a trip to Pearlstone and Washington D.C, I would immediately accept the invitation. In conclusion, the Pearlstone trip was an incredible experience where we were all able to make deeper friendships, and were taught important lessons about the environment that we can take to our future. To all who will participate in the Kinneret trip next year — enjoy yourselves, as I guarantee that you will have fun.
Art Activities
Tessa Smyth, 8th
Pearlstone was a unique adventure from the relaxing hikes, to the creative songs. The moment we arrived at Pearlstone, we were welcomed with warm smiles. The songs were cheerful and lively! Even now I can not get them out of my head, like “All G-d’s Critters.”
The hikes would last anywhere from 30 minutes to six hours. My legs were burning. It was totally different from walking around the city! Stream-walking was amazing! We could see many different invertebrates as we let the cold, creek water run through our legs. Eating different plants was so pleasant, plus flavorful. The games we played while hiking taught us a lot about the environment, and different animals' lives.
The eighth grade had the special opportunity of going to D.C for a day. We walked in the African American History Museum, and then through a branch of the Smithsonian. Since many of us were tired, we sat in the bus for a while before walking from FDR Memorial to Thomas Jefferson Memorial. The most eventful part of the day was going to the Pentagon Mall, where we played a strange scavenger hunt. The tasks on our scavenger hunt list included items such as: taking a picture with a salesman named Bob, and putting on ugly prom dresses. At the end of the day, we relaxed with some ice cream from Häagen-Dazs.
The Pearlstone trip was very relaxing. We could take a break from our electronics, and learn more about each other. For the eighth grade, it was an opportunity to spend more time together before we graduated. Overall, the trip was an amazing learning opportunity, may it have been about science, or about the people close to you.
The hikes would last anywhere from 30 minutes to six hours. My legs were burning. It was totally different from walking around the city! Stream-walking was amazing! We could see many different invertebrates as we let the cold, creek water run through our legs. Eating different plants was so pleasant, plus flavorful. The games we played while hiking taught us a lot about the environment, and different animals' lives.
The eighth grade had the special opportunity of going to D.C for a day. We walked in the African American History Museum, and then through a branch of the Smithsonian. Since many of us were tired, we sat in the bus for a while before walking from FDR Memorial to Thomas Jefferson Memorial. The most eventful part of the day was going to the Pentagon Mall, where we played a strange scavenger hunt. The tasks on our scavenger hunt list included items such as: taking a picture with a salesman named Bob, and putting on ugly prom dresses. At the end of the day, we relaxed with some ice cream from Häagen-Dazs.
The Pearlstone trip was very relaxing. We could take a break from our electronics, and learn more about each other. For the eighth grade, it was an opportunity to spend more time together before we graduated. Overall, the trip was an amazing learning opportunity, may it have been about science, or about the people close to you.
6th grade outside
Camilla Wisse & Jordan Walmsley, 6th
During the second week of May, the fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth graders went on a trip to TEVA at Pearlstone. From our personal experiences, the trip was definitely one of a kind. Prior to our trip, we imagined Pearlstone as something completely different from what it turned out to be. The first day was pretty casual because we were just getting introduced to everything at Pearlstone and then had a night activity. The next day, we woke up at 6:30 in the morning. Many of us, kids, were kvetching about the time that we had to wake up, but we soon realized that it was well worth the struggle. After we woke up, we went to Shacharit where there was hot chocolate awaiting us. The rest of the day consisted of three meals and a couple activities including a five hour hike! The schedule was the same the next day, and so was the last day, but the program ended after lunch. The whole experience had us immersed in nature, and gave us a break from the real world. If we were to look back on my experience we would say that it was a breath of fresh air. We came overloaded with stress, and we left as environmentally conscious young adults.
6th grade watching the environmental skit
Resource Revolution
Lunch Songs
Lunch Activities
Capture the flag -tired kids
S'mores and campfire!
