WHY: To provide an opportunity for the members of the Class of 2014 to get to know your classmates and some members of the faculty prior to the start of the hectic activity of registration and the beginning of classes. The retreat is designed to help freshmen gain a better understanding of the college experience and be successful. Members of the Student Retreat Leadership Corp will be on-hand to answer questions you may have from an upperclassman’s point-of-view. Students are given guidance in discovering who they are and how this understanding can lead to discussions about vocation and career. Finally, these retreats are great fun! Why Catawba & the Freshman Retreat?

WHEN: You have your choice of attending the retreat scheduled for June 17-19 or the retreat scheduled for August 11-13 .For each retreat, we will gather at 1:00 p.m. in Tom Smith Auditorium in the Ketner Hall on the Catawba campus: on Thursday, June 17, for the June retreat and on Wednesday, August 11, for the August retreat. The June retreat will conclude at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 19. Parents may join students for the final session held on campus beginning at 3:00 p.m. The August retreat participants will be able to move into their residence hall rooms between 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. prior to departing for the retreat. The retreat will conclude at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, August 13. Parents may join students for the final session held on campus beginning at 3:00 p.m. Students will be permitted to spend Friday night in their residence hall rooms.

WHERE: The retreats will be at Johns River Camp near Collettsville, NC (two hours from campus) in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. Transportation, lodging, and meals will be provided by The Lilly Center for Vocation and Values at Catawba College.

HOW MUCH: The cost for the retreat is being underwritten by The Lilly Center for Vocation and Values at Catawba College, made possible through a grant from The Lilly Endowment. There will be NO COST to participants (other than your transportation to the campus). To hold space, please register and send a $50.00 check, which will be held and returned in full at the completion of the retreat.

June 2010 Participants Say:

"Definitely go. It is worthwhile and you make a lot of good friends for the start of the year. Prepare for a great-, life-changing experience and keep your mind open."

"I never have had the honor of being part of something that seems as special as Catawba is. I can't wait until fall."

"I would advise every freshman to attend. It opens up possibilities and minds to the aspect of beginning your adventure and experience in college."


Students from Past Years:
“Go for it! You will have a blast and meet many new people.”

“The retreat has meant so much to me and my friends. We all feel blessed that the foundation for our tight relationships and essential skills to adjusting to college life were built on the retreat”

“It was really cool – I’m really glad I came. I met people I will be good friends with in college. It’s a great way to begin such a scary experience. Thanks!”

“The retreat was a great part of my summer. The sessions gave me a lot to think about and the outdoor things were a blast!”

“Don’t miss it for the world!”

"By the time you leave you’ll be greatly relieved that you went. You’ll go to college more open-minded and willing."