Erie Prep Kicks Off School Year with YETI Friday at WLD Ranch

by Rhea Xie ’28

ERIE, PA. — Light rain fell across WLD Ranch on Sept. 2 as Erie Preparatory Academy students arrived for the first YETI Friday of the 2026-27 school year. Raindrops dotted the ranch paths and rested on the grass as students gathered for a day away from their regular classrooms. Named after Erie Prep’s Yeti mascot, YETI Friday takes students into different settings for activities with their classmates. Before heading outside, students met in the ranch chapel for prayer and a discussion of Genesis 2:15, which describes humanity’s responsibility to care for God’s creation.

Faith and the Natural World

After the prayer service, students met in small groups to discuss how spending time in nature can influence the way people see themselves and the world around them. The conversation connected the morning’s biblical reading with the natural surroundings at WLD Ranch. Ranch staff then introduced students to the property and explained the activities planned for the day.

With the discussion finished, students moved outside to begin the activities. The morning’s focus on caring for God’s creation gave context to the day at the ranch.

Experiential Learning at WLD Ranch

Every student participated in the rope course, working through its challenges in groups. As students moved through unfamiliar sections, classmates encouraged one another and offered support when someone needed it.

Horseback riding was available for students who chose to participate. For Lara ’28, it became the highlight of the day. She had not expected horseback riding to be part of her school day.

“It was different than class because we were out of the school and doing things rather than sitting in class,” she said. A final game later in the afternoon brought the activities to a close before students gathered their belongings and prepared to leave.

A Teacher’s Perspective

Mrs. Harris, a science teacher at Erie Prep, was impressed by students’ willingness to try activities that were new to them.

“I was impressed by how willing students were to step outside their comfort zones and try new things,” Mrs. Harris said.

She also noticed students encouraging and supporting one another during the horseback riding and rope course challenges. Students seemed more relaxed at the ranch and more open to interacting with classmates they might not usually connect with during the school day.

Why Erie Prep Hosts YETI Fridays

Erie Prep principal Ms. Enterline said YETI Friday gives students a chance to explore different sides of themselves and the wider Erie community. For students with limited experience in rural areas, WLD Ranch offered a setting they might not encounter in their everyday lives. The day also incorporated the school’s Christian foundation through prayer and discussion of Scripture.

For Ms. Enterline, the time students spent together was an important part of the event.

“The most important moment to me was seeing the students spend quality time with each other discussing their interpretations of the Bible readings, working through team activities and even sharing lunch together,” Ms. Enterline said.

She added that shared experiences can create lasting memories for students and staff.

The Ride Home

Around 3 p.m., students collected their belongings and walked along the damp paths toward the buses. Small puddles remained beside the walkways, and raindrops continued to fall on the grass. Students settled into their seats as water trickled down the bus windows. The buses pulled away from WLD Ranch and headed back to Erie Prep through the light rain.