This year’s Young Life retreat was full of bonding, learning about Jesus and big cookies. Every year, Young Life takes a group of approximately 450 students to Young Life camp, Sharptop Cove, with the hope of introducing high school students to God’s word and embracing the true Christian lifestyle.
This year, the speaker was Chis Ashburn. Ashburn’s message was that everyone is rooted in Christ. Junior Emma Surber said, “My favorite part of Chris Ashburn’s message was his Christmas tree analogy to show that we may be alive on the outside, but inside we are dead.” It was a powerful message, and many students were impacted by the different analogies that Ashburn made.
Wesleyan students spent the weekend with their campaigners groups, which are the “small groups” for Young Life. After each session, the groups would have “cabin time” with their Young Life leader. During this time, each group would dive deeper into God’s word and discuss in a smaller group what they had just heard in the sessions.
When asked about her favorite part of the retreat, senior Lindsay Gomes said, “I loved growing closer to people I haven’t really known before and learning how God has specifically impacted their lives.”
On Saturday, students had four hours pf free time in which they were able to swim, zip line, go on the giant swing, climb on the ropes course and jump off of the rope swing into the lake. Emma Surber said that her favorite part of the retreat was “getting to know the girls in my grade better, playing beach volleyball and of course, club. We tried to get in the front row of every club which was worth it.”
Saturday evening consisted of a delicious dinner and the famous “big cookie.” Senior Emily Greer said, “My favorite part was eating the big cookie and I also liked hanging out with my campaigners group.” After the delicious dinner, students went to another session and also had a “quiet time” where the students were able to go anywhere they wanted outside to pray and just spend time alone with God.
On Sunday morning, some groups woke up early and climbed the mountain to watch the sunrise. Senior Hayes Laughlin said, “My favorite part of the retreat was the 6 a.m. hike.”
The Young Life retreat was a great weekend for students to get away from their everyday lives and grow closer to their peers while continuing to grow in their faith and learn about God.
