Louisville’s campus ministry is the heart of the campus, and the retreats that are made there give us all a much needed rest from the busy lives that we all face. All of these retreats build upon each other, so be sure to go into them all with an open mind.
When it comes to packing, Mrs. Hicks does send out a packing list but I do have a couple more things I suggest. Deodorant (be considerate).
Freshman retreat is often a student’s first retreat experience. It takes place here on campus, this year it is up in the convent. All you really need to know is that even though you're at school, you're not going to be reminded of whatever homework assignments and responsibilities await you when you get back. You can just sit and listen to the experiences of your fellow Louisville sisters while learning from them on how to make high school run as smoothly as possible.
Sophomore retreat asks for open ears and an open heart and allows for the choices we make everyday. This is the first full retreat experience without your phones and you are paired with a roommate you may not fully know. Whether you have found your best friends for life or are still looking to find your people, you should go into your group with the willingness to listen and to share, to help unify your class. This also extends to your leaders, as this could be the first retreat they lead and they may be nervous as well, but could soon become an influential person in your life.
Junior retreat is all about getting to know the people around you, acknowledging the encounters you face everyday and seeing the beauty in nature. Be open to getting to know the people in your group, your roommate and the people you share a bathroom with. Also, don't ignore nature in your presence, look at the ocean view and the mountains around you to guide your introspection.
Kairos is your final retreat experience at Louisville and it is a time to get to know yourself, your relationship with God and classmates before you set off for adulthood. You get the opportunity to be around people who have walked the same halls as you for years and see them in a new light. This retreat not only shapes the new you that is soon to be unleashed on the world, but it also plants the seeds for relationships to grow for upcoming years. You can also share more openly with a group leader in your class, who might even sit behind you in English class, instead of an upperclassman.
All in all, Louisville’s retreats are meant to be a chance for you to unplug and get to know the people around you as well as give you a chance to admire the nature God has put on this earth for us. Even if you are not religious, you can still go into these retreats and look at them from the perspective of growing as a person.