Annual scholars retreat

Fireworks and bonding, Pursue staff took the new and current scholars on our annual scholars retreat to Camp Friedenswald over the Fourth of July weekend. The purpose of the annual retreat is to provide support for new scholars as they are about to transition into college while creating meaningful relationships over the weekend.

When we finally arrived at the campsite, everyone settled into the lodge and returned to the main room for the itinerary for the weekend. After, everyone indulges in nachos, a competitive game of Uno and Ping-Pong was followed shortly after.

The next morning, we started the day with breakfast and then devotion from our Executive Director, Clive Craigen. Devotion was guided by the scripture Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 which focused on friendship. This theme focused the conversation on having a friend to be able to carry burdens with you and how to also be a good friend to someone, which overall focuses on healthy friendships. 

After devotion, Scholars transitioned to their first workshop which was a “Life Happens” college scenario focus. This workshop had scholars work in three different groups where they were provided with real-life college scenarios, and then they were given a negative card that shifted their initial scenario and ended with a positive card that could help their situation. The purpose of this session was to help scholars navigate difficult college life experiences while being a student. 

The next workshop was about character development and self-love led by Pursue Alum, Teirra Scott. Teirra had several posters around the room that focused on questions that challenged scholars to dig deeper into who they were. For example, one question was “What are some qualities of achievements you appreciate about yourself?” All scholars were able to answer on post-it notes anonymously. The next phase of this workshop led scholars to write a letter to themselves, so they can read it in the future. Lastly, this workshop ended on character development by asking scholars to list one thing they like about themselves and something they wish they could change. “I had an amazing time, especially learning what self-love means to me and others. As well as things I could change about myself or things I can’t change that’s out of my control. I am leaving with an open mind and reassurance about myself,” said Sharmel Alexander, a rising sophomore at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

After all the workshops were finished, everyone ate lunch and then headed to the beach by the campsite for some Summer fun. Scholars played volleyball, and Kayaked through the lake while watching a mini boat parade. “This retreat helped me find peace. I went Kayaking for the first time, I never thought I would do that but I did it,” said Dekwon Smith, an incoming freshman at Trinity Christian College.

After some fun at the beach, the scholars went back to the campsite to prepare for the college panel led by current scholars and Pursue alum. This panel focused on a wide range of topics associated with college to help new scholars ask questions that dig deeper into college experiences. “One of my favorite things was the college panel because nobody in my family went to college, so I don’t have no one to talk to about the experiences, so hearing from all of you [Scholars & Alum] and gaining insight about what college life would be like is something that I appreciate that,” said Jhene Thomas, an incoming freshman at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale.

Next after the college panel, everyone prepared to eat for dinner and then a firework show hosted by the camp. After the fireworks, scholars went back to the lodge for a game night explosion which also ended with the riddle of Johnny Appleseed. 

Finally, the last day of the retreat consisted of breakfast, the final devotion led by Clive Craigen encouraged our scholars to enjoy life, but with a balance because God has the final judgment . “I appreciate this program, this program has opened my eyes to many opportunities, also now I have a little brotherhood [built over the weekend] but then again I love how Pursue gave me a good opportunity to show me a lot of things and meet new people,” said Jalen Jackson, an incoming freshman at Trinity Christian College.