As most of you know, I am very involved in the Navigators Ministry on my campus. One of my favorite parts of this ministry is Journey, our fall conference. We have a conference in our region each semester, but fall conference is definitely the best!
What does the weekend look like?
Friday 9:00am: Nine hour van ride starts! This includes random religious discussions, never have I ever, hot seat, and lots of yummy snacks! This is unique opportunity to get to know the other Navs in your van. Usually we have two vans: an early van (which leaves at 9) and a late van for those who don't want to miss class.
Friday 7:30pm: Check-in. You check in, receive your name tag and room key, and meet up with lots of other people. (For me this means getting to see my friends from STP again!)
Friday 8:30pm: First Meeting. Meetings include: announcements about other Nav events, fun prizes, worship, and a message.
Friday 10pm-Midnight: Fun! Hanging out with other navs from your campus and other campuses. Lots of yummy snacks (ranging from fruit to candy). Activities include: dancing, knockout, and more (last year we played signs, big booty, and ninja).
Saturday 7:00am: Breakfast in the dining commons. The food is not the greatest, but it's included in the cost of journey, so who cares?! The fun part is the fellowship over breakfast.
Fun Fact: I worked in the dining commons of Estes Park's sister property Snow Mountain Ranch this summer at STP.
Fun Fact: I worked in the dining commons of Estes Park's sister property Snow Mountain Ranch this summer at STP.
Saturday 9am: Second Meeting
Saturday 9:45am: Workshops. Workshops are great! You get to pick two workshops you want to take, so they're specific to your needs in your faith right now. Between the two Nav conferences I've been to I've taken: Seeking Wise Counsel, Money Management, Christ-Centered Dating, and Influencing Your Friends. All were great!
Saturday 12:30pm: Lunch and Free Time, and then Dinner. After lunch you can do whatever you want. Most people go and explore Estes Park, which is a beautiful place, just check out these pictures! A few of my friends and I went on an artsy picture adventure. (This is the only time I've ever taken so many selfies, I apologize.)
Saturday 7:30pm: Third Meeting.
Saturday 10pm-Midnight: Fun! Hanging out with other navs, same as Saturday night.
Sunday 7am: Breakfast
Sunday 9am: Time along with God. This is a designated quiet time, it's a great time to apply and pray about things you've learned during the weekend. Plus, you can have it outside in the beautiful nature, surrounded by others seeking God.
Sunday 10am: Last Meeting.
Sunday Noon: Nine hour trip home starts. This is similar to the trip to Journey, but lots of talk about what you learned and how you liked the retreat.
Who: Participants include college students and Nav Staff from the Rocky Mountain Region, which encompasses schools in Wyoming, Colorado, and New Mexico.
Where: It takes place at the beautiful YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park. You Can check it out here.
When: October 16-18, 2015
Why: Journey was the way I got really close to everyone in the Navigators at my school. University of New Mexico has a unique opportunity in that we have a 10 hour drive, but we all drive up to the retreat together in 12 passenger vans.
How: Sign up here.
Hope to see you there!