High school sports teams’ bonds often go beyond their playing fields, and some WHS teams strengthen these bonds by embarking on pre-season or other trips that are as much about building connections among players as they are about sharpening skills.  

   “Preseason trips set the tone for the entire season,” said WHS athletic director Michael McGrath. “They help build trust and camaraderie among teammates.”

   Many teams take these trips with a set purpose, but their impacts often extend beyond those goals for the individual players.

   “We went to camp Merriwood in Oxford NH,” said senior Alex Darling. “The trip was mainly planned for team bonding. We swam, did a campfire and bunked together in a cabin. It was a super fun time getting to know the underclassman better and have fun with everyone before the busy season and school started. Camp Merriwood definitely brought the whole team together.”

   Many teams take trips similar to the soccer team. The football team, for example, travels to Camp Caribou in Maine for a three- to four-day stay. This time is dedicated to preseason team bonding and specialized training, which allows the team to prepare for the upcoming season.

   “We want to prepare them best as we can for the upcoming season, as they represent WHS on the field,” said McGrath.

  Preseason activities aren’t limited to out-of-state trips. The cross country team dedicates their pre-season work to both team-building and improving individual stamina, but they do so right in Weston. By transforming local trails and parks into dynamic race circuits, they cultivate teamwork, perseverance, and personal growth, all of which serve the team well once the season begins.

   “We trained a lot during the last two weeks of summer in Burchard Park, although we didn’t have any ‘team bonding activities’ separate from our training” said freshman Kian Kourtidis. “But that wasn’t necessary as the runs we took in the morning breeze and our timed jogs were enough for me to make friends who have been close with me all year.”

   It’s important to note that these trips are not mandatory; any students who cannot attend for any reason will not be penalized.

   “I highly recommend that [athletes] go on these trips, but if they don’t want to, that’s up to them,” said McGrath. “ If they want to go but can’t, we will find a way to make it happen.”

   These trips have other objectives, such as training athletes for the upcoming season. The football trip to camp Caribou involves extensive physical activities to prepare players for the demands of the upcoming games.

   “We get up really early and we spend the whole day vigorously training toward a better version of ourselves and playing better during the season,” said junior Ryan Hinkley. “Turns out the training helped us quite a bit during all of our games in the past season.”

   Performance-wise, these trips have had a positive impact on the teams. Coaches and student-athletes alike believe in the benefits, whether it’s improved performance or enhanced camaraderie within the program.    

   “The jokes and memories we made stuck with us throughout the season, strengthening our team chemistry and creating a positive, welcoming environment, which translated into a better sense of who’s on the field and where,” said Darling

   These trips are not just casual getaways. They require meticulous planning and adherence to school policies and procedures. Student-athletes need to submit permission slips and ensure all health forms are up to date. Coaches must also provide detailed itineraries, including daily routines and meal plans.

   “We take every precaution to ensure our students’ safety and well-being during these trips,” said McGrath.

   Given all the care and planning that goes into ensuring these trips are positive experiences for all, often those who participate end up having a relaxed opportunity to build skills while gaining and expanding friendships along the way.

   “I had a wonderful time on the trip to our camp in Maine and didn’t even realise the long lasting bonds I would come to have with my peers that came along with it,” said sophomore hockey player Lauren Morsilli.