While most of campus was caught up in the bustling Homecoming fervor, I boarded a bus bound for Bluemont, Virginia, a haven of peace nestled in the Shenandoah Valley’s rolling hills. My heart pounded with anticipation as I prepared to embark on ESCAPE with first-year students, this time as a retreat leader. This was their first ESCAPE retreat, a rite of passage of their Georgetown experience.
ESCAPE is an overnight retreat for first-year and transfer students, designed as an escape from the Hilltop. Students have the chance to meet awesome new people, eat lots of good food, listen to live music and play games. While sponsored by Campus Ministry, ESCAPE is non-denominational Ignation Retreat and accessible to students of all religious and non-religious backgrounds.
Here’s what my 27 hours at ESCAPE as a retreat leader looks like.
Saturday
4:00 p.m. I board the bus that takes us to Bluemont, Virginia and meet first-years for the first time. It is super exciting to see their nervous but excited faces, and I have fun talking to my Bus Buddy who calls South Africa home!
5:15 p.m.: Upon reaching the Caligenini Contemplative Center, a tranquil aura and a lush green landscape envelop us. It feels like a sanctuary, a place to unwind before the adventures ahead.
5:45 p.m.: As the sun dips and paints the landscape with a warm golden glow, we gather for dinner. The aroma of grilled chicken, pasta and potatoes fills the air, accompanied by the comforting hum of conversation. It’s a meal to savor, a moment to bond over shared experiences, and a prelude to the exciting activities that await us.
8:00 p.m.: The evening fills with laughter, insightful talks and heartwarming stories from our upperclassmen speakers. Afterward, we break into small groups, reflecting on their words and finding common ground in our shared experiences. It’s a thought-provoking exercise, offering a deeper glimpse into the Georgetown community.
9:30 p.m.: As the night progresses, a dance party takes center stage. My favorite part is roasting marshmallows to make s’mores, a delicious and classic ESCAPE tradition. We dance, sing and play games, etching memories that will linger in our minds forever.
10:30 p.m.: Telephone charades add a fun twist to the evening, with laughter echoing as we attempt to guess the actions of our retreat participants, or our ESCAPEes. The night is filled with joy, laughter and a sense of camaraderie that will be difficult to replicate.
11:30 p.m. As bedtime nears, we gather for the iconic ESCAPE bedtime story, Rindercella. Filled with letter switches and unexpected turns, it weaves fun into storytelling, a perfect close to a busy day.
Sunday
1:15 a.m.: It’s bedtime for me! But before that, I had a lot of fun hanging out with friends and watching people play with frisbees. It’s quite stunning and peaceful at night, so I decide to sleep outside with my sleeping bag. The stars sparkle, and I could hear crickets and other creatures as I fell asleep.
6:45 a.m.: I awake the following morning to the soothing melody of birds chirping, the sun casting a warm glow on the landscape. I spend the morning detoxing from technology and writing postcards to friends and family, savoring the peaceful solitude of nature and escaping from the fast-paced life of Georgetown. During the time, some people embark on a hike to the mountains. Thank goodness I chose not to go because some people were attacked by a swarm of wasps!
9:00 a.m.: Breakfast time! It is so delicious, especially the overnight oats. The food is heavenly and different from what I usually eat. I had a lot of fun chatting with first-years and fellow leaders and hearing about their hiking and wasp experiences.
10:00 a.m.: We do another round of singing. It is fun to get to feel like we are at summer camp belting out classic and modern hits. We then hear from Professors Elizabeth Grimm and Jacques Arsenault. And, of course, we get our Crouton playtime, Professor Grimm’s beloved three-legged canine companion. We listen to Professor Arsenault share his inspiring life journey, from his days as a college student at Georgetown to his current role as an adjunct lecturer in the School of Continuing Studies. It’s a testament to the transformative power of education and perseverance.
12:00 p.m.: Lunch time! I have some delicious grilled cheese sandwiches and perfectly grilled asparagus. It’s perfect!
1:00 p.m.: We do another round of songs and listen to upperclassmen’s first year at Georgetown before going to small groups to reflect. We decide to pick somewhere outside, and it was amazing getting to do the reflection in nature, a first for me!
2:30 p.m.: Of course, we cannot have ESCAPE without photos that capture our experience and memories! We take our group photos, and they are so adorable! I love all these amazing people.
4:30 p.m.: To close off our time, we do some quiet reflection and journaling with great calming song choices. It’s great to think about what happened this weekend and how I can apply the lessons I have learned in my day-to-day life. Then off we went back to Georgetown!
ESCAPE is more than just a retreat. It’s a transformative experience, a journey of self-discovery and a shared adventure. It’s a moment to reflect, a moment to connect and a moment to cherish.