8th Grade Florida Eco-Adventure
Each spring, the eighth grade class heads up to the Gainesville area to explore the ecosystems and wildlife of Central Florida. The Central Florida ecosystem is unique with its mixture of wildlife, sinkholes, and natural springs, and we are fortunate to be able to explore it. This trip is the second of three consecutive class field trips that help our students experience and appreciate the diversity and beauty of living in Florida. This trip also serves as a capstone event to their dialectic education, and some of the planned experiences help prepare them to be servant leaders in the rhetoric school the following year.
The adventures during the week include hiking through Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park, exploring Devil’s Millhopper Geological State Park, tubing at the Ichetucknee Springs, and hiking and taking the famous glass-bottom boat tour at Silver Springs State Park. Students also complete a challenging ropes and zip line course at Camp Kulaqua. Camp Kulaqua is home base for the trip. Students take part in group devotions, sing around the campfire with s’mores, and do some stargazing.
Trip Information
- Dates: March 24–27, 2026
- Trip Leader: Ryan Sharp
- Cost: Approximately $500 Amount will be added to FACTS and billed in two equal installments in February and March.
Intent and Medical Forms
- The Intent Form will open in December
- The Medical Form will open in February
