St. Benedict's Prep School Mandates 55-Mile Appalachian Trail Hike for Freshmen
St. Benedict's Preparatory School in Newark, New Jersey, requires its freshmen to complete a 55-mile hike on the Appalachian Trail as a rite of passage. This program, which has been a tradition for 53 years, aims to push students out of their urban comfort zones and foster teamwork and resilience. The students, many of whom have never hiked or camped before, are organized into smaller units with specific roles such as captain, navigator, and medic. The hike is conducted with minimal adult supervision, emphasizing self-reliance and collaboration among the students. The program begins with training in early spring, focusing on exercise and team-building activities.