In a world where many teenagers spend their days connected to screens and surrounded by constant supervision, one New Jersey school has spent more than five decades sending students into the wilderness to discover something far more valuable: confidence, resilience, and the power of teamwork. At St. Benedict's Preparatory School in Newark, New Jersey, every freshman is required to complete a challenging 5-day trek along the Appalachian Trail before earning the title of sophomore. For many of the students, the experience pushes them far beyond anything they've ever done before. Some have never gone hiking, while others have never camped outdoors. Yet each year, they lace up their boots and set out on a journey that has become one of the school's most cherished traditions. In a world of helicopter parenting, this school still makes students rise on their own.
