Retreat 2K18 Chaperones

Another year back to the retreat as a chaperone again. I’m Tiana Julian, an alumni of the Leadership Program & former SBG President of that class. I’ve been around for about 4-5 years as a student & contributing to the class itself on my own time once I graduated middle school. This would be my 4th year at the retreat, 2 years as a student then 2 years as a chaperone. As a middle schooler, attending the retreat gave us a new perspective on how much better we could be as a whole along with finding our weaknesses and strengths. We would go into depth with the class & it would teach us different aspects to why we do things the way we do. Also, really benefitted us when we would clean up the house for the care taker & for the next people to come by which taught us to always give back to those who give to us. As a chaperone, this is my second year as I’ve said, way better than my first year now that the chaperones managed to gain something more from this activity besides helping the students individually. Got to be more occupied which resulted us in more bonding time since we would be there for three days, finally got to do the chaperone activities that we never got to for 7 years. Overall, the house got to help expand and immerse us to be more connected amongst one another, especially with technology not around. The house was definitely an escape from reality. Biggest benefit would be how not only did the students get to be more in depth with one another but it gave that opportunity to the chaperones, basically everyone overall to understand the importance of understanding others to help collaborate efficiently. My growth developed a lot overtime, I gained a few things teaching a different group of kids as I tend to learn more things everyday from them as new students come through the program. Every year we have this activity, it does improve how the students are and how they work together which is tremendously useful. I got to see two different perspectives as a student and as a chaperone, I got to self evaluate on how I did as a chaperone and what I could to be better from before. Along with being a student there, it improve me as an individual in general to apply the lessons learned for future references. I appreciate what the house has done and continues to do for the students.