“Is there anything in this life that lasts forever?”
This was the question that guided the experience of the Vacations on the Island of Mar Grande, held on February 7 and 8 at the Saint Joseph Retreat House. The event was intended for our students, from 6th to 9th grade, and also included the participation of young people from the Parish of Jesus Christ Risen, located in the Suburbana region. Throughout the weekend, the participants experienced moments of fellowship, integration, and reflection, in a program that combined leisure, challenges, and questions about the meaning of life.

At the beginning of the activities, the young people were divided into three teams, identified by the colors red, green, and yellow. From that point on, the challenges and dynamics that energized the entire gathering began, such as a treasure hunt, circuit races, blindfolded activities, and the egg challenge. In this challenge, each team received a real egg and had to keep it intact throughout all the activities. The proposal has been to encourage care, responsibility, and group organization, reinforcing the importance of teamwork and attentiveness to others.

In addition to the recreational activities, there were also moments of dialogue and sharing at the beginning and at the end of the event. In the first moment, the reflection theme that would guide the entire experience was presented. At the closing, the young people shared with the others the meaning of the initial question after everything they had experienced over the two days.

The song Beautiful Things, by Benson Boone, was used to support the reflective moment, helping the participants relate the lyrics to the proposed theme and to their own life experiences. At the end of the event, a themed party was held, in which the teams used creativity to create costumes and accessories and present their ideas. A rap battle also took place among the participants, bringing even more excitement and artistic expression to the conclusion of the program.

The Vacations on the Island of Mar Grande provided intense and meaningful days, marked by leisure, fellowship, integration, and reflection. These were moments of learning, sharing, and joy that will remain in our memories as a beautiful and unforgettable experience.