Each year, the Emerging Leaders Retreat is held in the fall in order to encourage underclassmen to get involved on campus and develop their leadership skills. Most years, students will stay in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, but due to the pandemic, it was held in the Center for Innovation and Growth.

This year’s two day retreat consisted of 14 participants and four facilitators in attendance, broken into two color groups. Throughout the first day, each group participated in several activities, from ice breakers to listening to a couple different speakers.

Later in the day, the Recreation and Outdoors Club assisted with a portion of the retreat, setting up backyard games, an obstacle course, and a nature walk on North Quad. In groups of two, students went through the obstacle course with one person blindfolded and the other giving directions. Backyard games were also available. The last outdoor activity was an outdoor scavenger hunt consisting of things in nature all across North Quad.

Towards the end of the day, student leaders and the participants were able to be a part of a student leadership panel. Participants were able to ask questions of the facilitators as well as the other student leaders to gain insights into their own leadership experiences. Students were also made aware of the numerous leadership opportunities across campus.

Students were able to stay in the evening for group board games and a bit of relaxation time before leaving the CIG for the day.

The next morning, participants and facilitators alike returned to the CIG for team building activities and an affirmation circle. Students left at the end of the shortened day with ELR t-shirts, masks, and hand sanitizer.

Even with the challenges of Covid-19, the event was quite the success and left students with lots of opportunities to get involved across campus.