Some trips may be connected to a specific class (touring the BMW plant or visiting a local TV station) or fine arts ministry-related (Christmas at the Biltmore House for the choir as well as church ministry for the orchestra and band). Trips are also generated for specific interest (American Association of Christian Schools Youth Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C.; the Camp Spearhead Work Day; the Leadership Retreat). The class trip to The Wilds certainly is an important part of shaping a senior’s school year, as is the senior mission trip to New York City.
Our interscholastic sports teams, the speech and debate team, and our mock trial team are involved in numerous trips. While the focus on competing against other schools is obvious, each trip involves life situations such as personal and corporate testimony, evangelism, budgeting food money, getting along with team members, and a host of other stretching lessons in faithfulness and perseverance. Competent teachers/sponsors guide the students in navigating situations, sharing in the victories and defeats—“equipping the saints” (Ephesians 4:12). Certainly, the opportunities for high school trips allow BJA to make progress in meeting the goals of our mission statement.