Loyola’s annual first year retreat took place last Saturday at Camp Abbey retreat center in Covington, La. During the one day excursion, select faculty and staff shared stories about their time at Loyola, student counselors opened up about college life and retreaters participated in ice breakers, small group discussions and games. Students walked away with a greater sense of community, feeling appreciated and supported.

Around 37 first year students piled onto a yellow school bus Saturday morning, Sept. 17, at 8 a.m. to head to Covington. Once the bus arrived at Camp Abbey, each freshman was placed in a small group with one upperclassman counselor. The groups provided students the opportunity to connect with their peers in a more intimate setting.

Kurt Bindewald, director of University Ministry, said mainly sophomores and juniors led the retreat, and most attended first year retreat as freshmen.

Calvin Tran, music therapy and pre-med sophomore, attended first-year retreat last year and decided to return this year as a counselor.

“For me, as an incoming freshman last year, I had no idea what to expect,” Tran said. “I came all the way from Chicago and had no one and knew no one, and the thought of a freshman to come in and feel the same way was not okay. My thought process as a counselor was to do whatever I could to make them feel like they’re at home.”

Throughout Saturday, counselors shared their college experiences with freshmen and offered advice on how to establish relationships, build their future and overcome the fear of moving away from home.

“Calvin was my favorite [counselor],” Snow Adams, Latin American studies freshman, said. “He was such a good listener and he facilitated the group in such a way that you just felt that you could say anything and it would be well received.”

Besides small group discussions, the day was filled with ice breakers and short reflections by student counselors and faculty members. These talks revolved around the Loyola community, faith and self-reflection and the Jesuit idea of finding God in all things.

While students enjoyed the events, some said they wished it had lasted longer. This year’s retreat was a one day excursion, compared to overnight stays in past years. The shorter retreat cut down on free time and late-night activities.

“I wish they did the bonfire event like they did at the overnight [retreat],” Adams said. “Where you throw your insecurities and worries [written on paper] into the fire. Where symbolically you watch them turn to ashes and die away.”

“I think for the amount of things they did, [the length] was perfect,” Jacob Keller, graphic design freshman, said. “Yet, I see the benefits of an overnight retreat, just because they can take more time on certain things. They were rushed towards the end, which you could tell.”

The retreat ended with a final talk, which encouraged students to go out into the world and be fearless and forgiving and to realize they are never alone.

Once the freshmen said their goodbyes to Camp Abbey and began loading the bus to head back to school, something felt different. The ride home included non-stop laughter and singing.

“In addition to meeting new people, I learned a lot of life lessons, and overall had a good time,” Micah Debby, digital film freshman, said.

After the retreat, Adams said she wished everyone could experience what she did.

“I’m literally in the Orleans Room smiling so much right now, around all these people who don’t know about today,” Adams said after she returned home from the retreat. “I wish they were there because I want to share with them what I’ve learned. I feel so much more comfortable; I’m glowing.”