(09/29/2025) Ninth-grade students at Coon Rapids High School (CRHS) participated in a student retreat focused on respect on Wednesday, Sept. 24 - led by Youth Frontiers, an organization with a mission to provide experiences that inspire character and respect.
The “Respect Retreat” is a day-long event that focuses on building respect and forging relationships, with the goal of making the school a better place. The retreat includes presentations, high-energy activities in the gym as a large group, small group opportunities to share stories and follow-up materials to extend the retreat’s impact.
The Coon Rapids Rotary Club funds the retreat opportunity for the CRHS community, and has a tradition of hosting the event with the intent of supporting youth in the community for over the past ten years. Students explore what it means to respect themselves and others, with the goal of improving culture and respect in school communities.
The 450-member freshman class could not fit in one location, so the school reached out to Anoka-Ramsey Community College, the Courtyards of Andover and Riverdale Community Church to host three sessions. In addition, 85 CRHS Seniors in the National Honor Society attended to help by encouraging participation and promoting positivity.
“It really pushes the kids to think about how they treat each other and themselves,” explained Curt Wallrath, an assistant principal at CRHS. “There is a noticeable difference in our building after the retreat and we hope it continues on throughout the year.”
Anoka-Hennepin has had a long-standing relationship with YouthFrontiers, coordinating a variety of staff and student retreats across the district at both the middle and high school levels.
About Coon Rapids Rotary: For more than 50 years, Coon Rapids Rotary has served the community and areas beyond, with a focus on supporting youth and education, along with various community groups - through a combination of hands-on service and fundraising efforts.
View photos from Coon Rapids High Schools’ Respect Retreat.
Learn more about Youth Frontiers.
