Retreat ASB Style

This semester I am doing a practicum (similar to an internship) with ASU's Alternative Spring Break program. I really enjoyed going on a trip last Spring and wanted to learn more about how the program was run, especially the trips that go internationally. This past weekend all of the Peer Leaders for all the Fall 2011 and Spring 2012 trips and the ASB Leadership Team went on a retreat to Elk Shoals Camp just outside of Boone. The retreat started out as any retreat should - a roadtrip with 5 girls singing N'Sync, Cee Lo and Shania Twain at the top of our lungs. We may or may not have known every word to all the N'Sync songs. The rumor going into the retreat was that we had to sleep outside for one night. That partnered with the rumor that the Boone area was going to receive its first snow left many of us wondering what we got ourselves into. We pull into the camp and upon arrival we met with one of the workers of the camp. She informed us that we were staying in Adirondacks and that our next step was to carry our mattresses up the hills to the cabin. Now picture this if you will, 50 plus people carrying mattresses on their heads or any other way feasible up the mountain into the woods to the adventure that awaits. This, my friends, was our humble home for the night. I, being a bit dramatic, text my friends saying they may not hear from me again because I might freeze to death or get eaten by a bear.

Our Adirondack

At first we thought it wasn't going to be that bad. It had three walls and it seemed to block the wind. However, the wind decided to come from all directions bringing in rain/snow and the 30 degree temps into the cabin. PJ's for the night required two pairs of socks, leggings, sweat pants, a tank top, a sweat shirt with the hood pulled up over my head, and a scarf all while trying to keep any skin from being exposed to the cold. The next day we went over to Elk Knob to plant some trees to help our trips be Carbon Neutral. Oh yeah - in the snow! Because of the elevation there was at least an inch of snow on the ground. Not okay! At least not on October 1st. The cold and the weather could have been a major complaining point for the students, but I think we all realized just how ridiculous it all was and decided to find it comical instead.

Sometimes it's really hard to give up a weekend to go on retreats, and I would be lying if I didn't think on the outset of this weekend that there were a million different things I would rather be doing. However, it was an incredible weekend. I loved getting to meet new students who aren't within Housing. And all of them - way cool! My friend Jess and I often commented during the weekend that we only wished we could be half as cool as all of them. It's so great to see students with a passion and desire to give back and make a difference. For many reason, this will be a retreat I look back on fondly. Thankful to be apart of ASB here at ASU!