Monday, August 27, 2012
1st Year Retreat
I was very excited to hear about and attend this retreat, due to the low ropes component especially. Being a Girl Scout, I've done this kind of thing before, and it is always fun. We left in the morning on two CABS buses, and had snacks on the way there. Upon arriving, we left our stuff on the buses and were corralled into the facility's expansive yard. We were told to find three people we didn't know, and introduce ourselves. Then find five and do the same. Then we had to find fifteen new people and introduce ourselves, fully believing we would disband once again and regroup elsewhere. However, we came to find out that this was the group we would stay in throughout the retreat. After a few get-to-know you activities, then began the teamwork games. We were asked to all walk together in a line, with our feet glued (not literally) to the person's on either side of us. We had to stand on a tablecloth and flip it over without anyone stepping off. We had to get everyone through a spiderweb without jiggling it. We had to squeeze everyone into a box through the top, sing a song, and then exit through the bottom in the same order. We had to count to fifteen with our eyes closed, without saying a number at the same time (got it on the first try!). We had to collectively walk a secret path and remember which way was correct. And, my favorite, we got to do the trust fall - a 3(?)-foot platform from which a group member fell back like a tree into the arms of their group members. I was pumped to do this one, having done it before, so I got do go first. Eventually, our entire group stood up on the platform, even though some of us did not actually fall. We pushed our boundaries and our comfort zones, and became pretty close for only knowing each other for a few hours. We even got Ben to do it! By the end of the day, our group was so supportive of each other, and the mood amongst us was much more open and upbeat than when no one knew each other. All in all, it was a success! Shout out to Liz's group! You're all awesome!
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I honestly didn't know what to expect for this retreat, and I must say I was very pleasantly surprised! We had a group of 15 and our leader was Amanda, who was in a wheelchair. It was absolutely incredible to me to see her level of complete optimism and determination, and I never thought it was possible to be so inspired by one person in such a short span of time! I also never would have thought it possible to lose your personal bubble and make friends so quickly either!
ReplyDeleteWe started the day with some short, team building activities and get-to-know-yous. We were challenged to listen to what she didn't tell us, think outside the box, and "think smarter, not harder."
We played many different types of games, some of which were hard or frustrating, others which were just plain hilarious! We all stood on a log and, without talking, had to organize ourselves from smallest to largest depending on the animal Amanda had whispered to us. We also split into teams and had to try to walk all the way around four tightropes without touching the ground, and apparently we were the first team who decided to help each other out instead of push each other off to win. We also did the spiderweb, and were all a little shocked with the loophole in the instructions that she gave us.
Over all I think it was a success and I'm glad to have been a part of it!
At first I was honestly dreading the first year retreat. However, I am really glad I went. It forced me to work together with my Humanities members and actually got some laughs in the process. It helped me build communication skills and gave me a chance to get to know people a little better. Over all I think it is a great way to get us out of our comfort zone and experience something new.
ReplyDeleteI was very excited to attend the first year retreat, but the event happened to fall on my birthday. While I was a little upset that this happened, I was able to spend the remainder of the day with family. The retreat was a great bonding event to kick the year off with. We were challenged to work together to complete team building activities and communicate to avoid failed tasks and injuries. It was a great experience and I am glad that I got to enjoy it!
ReplyDeleteThe first year retreat was a really nice was to get to know people in the Humanities Scholars program. I had a lot of fun and made a lot of new friends through it. I think this first year retreat was a good way to introduce everyone to each other in the Humanities Scholars program without using the silly icebreakers people usually have us do!!
ReplyDeleteThe first year retreat was a ton of fun and gave me the opportunity to meet people I otherwise probably wouldn't have really gotten to know. Plus this also took out the awkwardness of randomly going up to people and introducing yourself with nothing to talk about. This gave us a way to interact and really get to know each other while having a ton of fun in the process.
ReplyDeleteThe retreat was so much fun! Though I had only known most of the people in my group for a week or less, I feel like we really bonded and became infinitely closer during the retreat. We had to work together to figure out an array of puzzles in the woods. This required extensive communication and teamwork, both of which are great foundations for lasting friendships.
ReplyDeleteThe first year retreat was an interesting experience. It was not my favorite event although I understand why you have us do it. Some of the activities made me think about how people communicate with each other. I am just not a very touchy person and the majority of activities allowed us to be extremely close to fellow students I barely know. I think a lot of people liked the even it just was not my favorite.
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