Camp Alpha is a core first-year experience at Carondelet and often paves the way for strong friendships and a sense of belonging. At Camp Alpha, the incoming ninth grade students will be introduced to the powerful tradition of the Sisters of St. Joseph, with a particular focus on the CSJ value, courage. As a class, they will explore what courage looks like at Carondelet, and how each of us is called to courageously contribute to building our shared Sisterhood.
In addition to reflections, discussions, and prayers led by older students and adults, ninth-graders will participate in a series of competitions and community challenges that culminate in an epic “campfire,” sing-along, and celebration of all they have accomplished together. This is the only opportunity for Frosh students to attend a class retreat.
2026 Alpha Parent Information
Important Information for the Retreat:
- All students must be registered and have submitted consent forms in order to attend. There is no cost for the retreat.
- The is a “lock-in” style retreat—once participants enter and the retreat begins, no one leaves until the event officially ends.
- The retreat begins after school on Fri. 9/18/26 on campus. All 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students are asked to leave campus as quickly as possible right after 6th period. Ninth grade students attending Alpha may not leave campus when 6th period ends at 1:20 PM. Parent pick-up when the retreat ends is at midnight -12:00 AM.
- Carondelet High School’s retreat policy requires students who register for retreats to attend the entire retreat in order to honor the integrity of the retreat and the cohesiveness of the group. Therefore, students are expected to be present from the beginning of the retreat to the end. Contact Director of Campus Ministry Edie Payne via email with questions.
- Please confirm with your student that they are attending in order to avoid last-minute cancellations. Last-minute cancellations and no-shows upset the balance of small group numbers, and will result in a $100 Late Cancellation Fee. Please contact Director of Campus Ministry Edie Payne right away if your student is registered and no longer attending.
- Students with outside athletic, volunteer, or other commitments are encouraged to coordinate an absence with their respective coaches or mentors as this is their only opportunity to participate in their freshman retreat—a foundational part of the Carondelet experience.
- Snacks, dinner, and late-night treats will be provided. Please email Director of Campus Ministry Edie Payne for special dietary arrangements.
Procedures for Friday, Sept. 18:
- Students should wear the Carondelet Friday Casual Uniform to school on Friday. Please encourage your students not to wear their skirts to school that day and instead, wear comfortable pants or leggings that comply with the school guidelines. Students may also change before the retreat into comfortable leggings or comfy pants if time permits. They need to be dressed for a very active afternoon and evening.
- After 6th period, students will have a 20-minute break to put backpacks in lockers, use the bathroom, call home, change clothes, or relax before the retreat begins. At 2:00 PM, registered “campers” will head to the Garaventa for Camp Check In, where they will find their camp leaders. Student leaders will collect phones and smart watches, label them, and turn them in to be locked in a secure room for the duration of the retreat. “Campers” will be dismissed for parent pick-up at 12:00 AM.
- Prescription Medication, including inhalers and EpiPens, that your student may need during the retreat must be in a small ziplock bag and clearly labeled with your student’s first and last name. These bags will also be collected by camp leaders who will keep the medication with them at all times in their camp bag. Please do not send your student with over-the-counter medications. Those can be administered as needed, according to the consent you provided on the registration form.
What to Bring/Not Bring
BRING:
- Sweatshirt
- Reusable Water Bottle
- Open Mind
- Positive Attitude
DO NOT BRING:
- Backpack, Tote Bag, or Drawstring Bag
- Digital or Instant Cameras
- Any Prohibited Items (Alcohol/Drug-Free Event)
Students are asked to bring a reusable water bottle and sweatshirt that is easy to carry and keep with them throughout the retreat. They will be directed to put backpacks in lockers and will not have access to them for the duration of the retreat. Students will not be allowed to carry any kind of small backpacks, totes, or drawstring bags. Each camp leader will carry a “camp tote bag” with items like hair ties, period products, snacks, etc. Any items that students may need to access during the retreat (e.g., inhaler, period products, etc.) will be carried in their camp leader’s tote, not in a personal backpack/tote.
Behavioral Guidelines:
- Students are expected to behave, both on and off campus, in a manner consistent with Carondelet High School’s core values. Any conduct both in and out of school that reflects negatively upon the reputation of Carondelet High School may be subject to disciplinary action, including suspension from competitive and extra-curricular activities, school suspension, and or expulsion. Disruptive behavior and/or violations of Carondelet’s core values and behavioral guidelines on retreats may result in a phone call home to parents/guardians and/or the removal of a student from the retreat by the parent/guardian.
- Behavioral policies and guidelines can be found in Section 4 of our Student Handbook.
- Students seen with a phone will be required to turn it into a chaperone. If students do not comply with this, they will be removed and sent home with a parent/guardian.
- Campus Ministry staff will meet with the Class of 2030 to go over retreat details and discuss behavioral expectations. They will hear about the variety of retreat activities and what behavior is expected for each—at times they will be invited to be energetic, loud, and silly, and also times when they will be invited to be quiet, still, and reflective. Please review these different kinds of energy that are appropriate for various retreat activities with your student. In all cases, respect and positive attitudes are foundational expectations and students will be removed from the retreat if this expectation cannot be met. We are counting on each student to help build a positive, inclusive, and welcoming environment for their peers.
Health and Safety:
- All medications should be listed on a student’s consent form and will be kept accessible and secure by camp leaders. Students will be asked to have their small group leaders carry those items in the small group bag. It is important to disclose medication so that, in the case of an emergency, school staff can accurately report medications to emergency personnel. Please email Edie Payne if your student needs to take medication at a specific time.
- Food served will be pasta, garlic bread, varieties of chips, granola bars, cheese sticks, yogurt tubes, cookies, and fruit. Please email Edie Payne if arrangements need to be made to accommodate dietary needs.
- High-energy, active activities make up the majority of this retreat (e.g., running, throwing, jumping, dancing, etc.). If your student has an injury or any reason that they may need to sit out of situations that are crowded, loud, or physically active, please email Edie Payne to make arrangements for school staff and retreat leaders to support your student’s well-being.
Contact Information:
Please limit phone calls to emergencies.
- Carondelet High School: 925-686-5353
- *Retreat Director - Director of Campus Ministry Edie Payne’s direct line: 925-686-5353 ext. 189 (rings at desk and on cell phone)