Why a 55-mile trek is a mandatory rite of passage for freshmen at one high school

Article excerpt

For 53 years, freshmen at St. Benedict's Preparatory School in Newark, New Jersey, have faced a non-negotiable challenge: a five-day, 55-mile trek along the Appalachian Trail. The mandatory hike, which covers roughly 11 miles daily, is billed as a rite of passage designed to build resilience, community, and character among the school's youngest students. Participants navigate rugged terrain, sleep in shelters, and confront physical and mental limits far from home. School administrators argue the experience forges lasting bonds and confidence in teenagers. For some freshmen, the trek becomes a defining memory of their high school years.