EIGHTH GRADE RETREAT: (Grade 8) The culminating year at St. Joseph School is always a memorable experience as the 8 th grade class assumes the leadership roles and responsibilities at our school. The 8 th graders begin the year with a Fall retreat to establish faith-filled leadership goals and foster friendships for a year of growth as maturing young adults. The 8 th Grade retreat takes place at Lions Bear Lake Camp in Lapeer.

WASHINGTON DC TRIP: (Grade 8) In the Spring of each year, the 8 th grade class has traditionally taken a week long trip to Washington DC. While in Washington DC, the St. Joseph students have the opportunity to visit The US Capital, the Smithsonian Institute, the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, the National Aquarium in Baltimore, and Gettysburg. A highlight is laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The Washington DC trip occurs at the conclusion of the 8 th grade year followed by awards and graduation.

DEMOCRACY ON THE GREEN : (Grade 8) This three-hour, time-travel experience is designed to advance student understanding of core democratic values by offering participatory activities that make civics and history come alive. This event is held at Greenfield Village in the Fall of each year.

TOLEDO TRIP: (Grade 7) In the Spring of each year the 7 th grade class has traditionally taken a class trip to Toledo. The students spend the day at the Cosi Science Center, Toledo Zoo, and the Toledo Art Museum.

SIXTH GRADE CAMP: (Grade 6) The sixth graders take part in an outdoor education experience at Camp Ohiyesa in Holly. The class spends three days and two nights at the camp participating in team-building, environmental, and outdoor studies.

LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL TRIP: (Grade 5) Explore America’s fight for freedom, witness the struggle to achieve it and celebrate the courage to maintain it in this special trip to the Henry Ford Museum. Delve into the past trials, tribulations and triumphs of the enduring spirit of freedom.

JASON PROJECT: (Grade 5) Each year students are exposed to a new JASON Project Science investigation and field trip. The program provides rich learning experiences using a hands-on inquiry based approach that mirrors the work of real scientists. In past years students have studied the rain forest, astronomy, weather, and the oceans.

LANSING TRIP: (Grade 4) Fourth graders, who are learning about Michigan History, spend the day in Lansing visiting the State Capitol, the Michigan Historical Museum, and the Hall of Justice.

GREENFIELD VILLAGE TRIP: (Grade 3) History comes alive in the actual places where great American dreams were born, such as Thomas Edison's Menlo Park Laboratory, the Wright Brothers' home and workshop, Noah Webster's home and more. The celebration of the American experience is enhanced and enriched with memorable events and encounters, historic re-enactments and live demonstrations of American ingenuity. The third graders take this trip in the Spring of each year.

BATS OF THE WORLD: (Grade 2) The Organization for Bat Conservation takes a special trip to St. Joseph School each year to intrigue and educate while teaching children not to be afraid of bats and to understand the beneficial things they do. Live bats are shown including small bats and a large fruit bat.

CRANBROOK INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE: (Grade 2) In the Spring of each year, the second graders get to “be a dinosaur” as they journey through the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous Periods. The winding passageways of this dinosaur-themed maze set the stage for a hands-on, body-in educational experience.

AMAZING APPLES TRIP: (Grade 1) Every Fall the first graders take a trip to Independence Oaks Park to visit the Wint Nature Center and participate in the Amazing Apples Program. The children take a short hike, learn about nature, and discover the science of apples.

TRIP TO UPLAND HILLS FARM: (Grade K) Kindergartners visit the farm to learn about the animals. The farmers conduct a demonstration including milking the cow, making butter, sheep sheering, spinning wool and a question and answer period at the end. Since the trip takes place in October, the students have a chance to visit the pumpkin patch.