First-Year Retreat

Connect with your future classmates and friends to make lasting memories before Orientation even begins.

Don't Miss Out!

The First-Year Retreat is one of those great opportunities you'll hear about again and again from students who attended - and one that you will not want to miss out on! Meet other incoming students and get to know faculty and staff who will teach classes, coach teams, and be here to support you during your entire college experience. Register today for one of the best and most fun parts of Orientation!

Open to all first-year students, it includes first-time college students, those from early college, transfer students, and those with less than 18 credit hours.

Choose from two sessions:

July 16-18

Johns River Valley Camp

August 13-15

Blowing Rock
Conference Center

No Cost to Participants!

The retreat is sponsored by The Lilly Center for Vocational and Values at Catawba College, made possible by a grant from the Lilly Endowment. NOTE: Advance notice must be given of your inability to attend the retreat. Not doing so will result in a $300 fee charged to your student account.

Register Now!

Register Now!

Required to reserve your spot.

You must be a new accepted student with your admission to enroll paid to attend. If you do not attend the retreat after registering, a $50 charge will be added to your student account.

Learn More:

Retreat Check-In Times:

July Retreat: 9 am
August Retreat: 9 am

Lilly Center Coffeehouse, Omwake-Dearborn Chapel

Athletes should check their team’s pre-season practice schedule for potential conflicts prior to registering.

August Retreat Residence Hall Check-In

Students may move into their residence hall rooms prior to leaving for the retreat.

August 12th
Time: TBA
Student Affairs, Cannon Student Center

If special accommodations are needed for an earlier check-in, contact the Director of Residence Life.

Location, Transportation, & Parking

Transportation to & from retreat center: The College will be providing transportation for the entire retreat group to and from each retreat.
Parking - Students driving themselves to campus will need to park their cars in the Robertson Community Center Parking Lot (beside Keppel Auditorium) for the duration of the retreat.
Student drop off – Temporary parking in front of the chapel is permitted only if parking temporarily in order to drop off a student.

Comfortable Pillow
Sleeping bag/twin blanket or sheets
Bath Towel
Beach Towel
Comfortable closed-toed shoes
Underclothes
Socks
Shorts
T-Shirt
Rain jacket
Pajamas
Extra outfits (if you choose to participate in outdoor activities)
Swimsuit
Day bag for carrying things around (optional)
Toiletries (soap, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrush, etc.)
Writing utensil (pen/pencil)
Notebook
Flashlight (optional)
Water bottle
Sunglasses
Bug spray
Sunscreen
Hat

The First-Year Retreat is designed to help you gain a better understanding of the Catawba experience and how to be a successful student before the main Orientation activities begin. Members of the Retreat Leadership Corps will be on hand to answer questions you may have from an upperclassman’s perspective. We’ll introduce you to members of your new Catawba family, our culture & values, help prepare you for college life, and assist you in reflecting on your own vocational discernment. Learn more about yourself, your vocation, and your future career options.