This last weekend, I left campus to visit Björklunden, the Northern campus of Lawrence, in attendance of the 2017 Posse Plus Retreat. For those of you who aren’t familiar with The Posse Foundation, it is a non-profit organization that organizes several groups, each containing 10 students, known as a ‘Posse’ (or, as we know it today, a ‘squad’), and sends each of these Posses to several Posse Partner schools to become catalysts for change on campus. I’m a Posse Scholar, and a member of Posse 10 (marking the 10th anniversary of Posse’s affiliation and partnership with Lawrence). Each year, Posse initiates an event known as the ‘Posse Plus Retreat’ at Björklunden for Lawrence Posse Scholars during Spring Term. In this retreat, Posse scholars invite fellow students and faculty/staff of their choice to engage in discussion about whatever topic is voted upon prior to the retreat. This year, the topic that was voted upon was “Us vs. Them”, a critical look at binaries created to oppose one another, and their value (or lack thereof) on campus, as well as beyond.
The facility and staff at Björklunden was great. I was paired up with a great group of friends in a room of six. Outside of the discussion, I was truly able to enjoy my time there. The scenery is quite beautiful, as is the view of Lake Michigan, literally a few feet away facility. It was my first time seeing the lake, and I was able to snag some amazing photos during the daytime and during a wonderful sunset. The food was great, as well. A huge thank you to the staff at Björklunden is needed; they do their best to provide a comfortable, clean and enjoyable experience away from campus!
As for the activity/discussion portion of the retreat, I have to give it up to the trainers and staff at Posse who created the program. I entered with slightly above-average expectations, but left feeling as if they were exceeded a hundred times over. We participated in warm-up activities that flexed and prepped our brains for both an enjoyable and fulfilling experience. They also served as great opportunities to get to know my fellow students and faculty even more.
The discussions were the main heart of the trip, though. What I appreciated most about the entire program was that there was no specific ‘answer’ that Posse was looking for us to reach. Rather, they sought to have us create our own answer and draw our own conclusions within discussions with one another. Through multiple extensive discussions in both smaller and larger groups, we came to the conclusion that the binaries we create are what restrict us from seeing the truth; we are all interconnected with one another. By indentifying our differences, we fail to see what we hold in common with one another; humanity, and everything that is brought with it. The final discussion involved several ‘binaries’, with which we each individually indentified as, coming together to create plans that would create a catalyst for change in the way that we, at Lawrence, view one another.
My favorite part of the entire retreat was an activity in which everybody closed their eyes in a huge circle. Some groups were called up to walk around, while everybody else kept their eyes closed, in rotation. The retreat facilitators would read out positive affirmations, and ask the group standing to tap the shoulders of individuals who fulfilled the affirmation. For example, some affirmations included “tap somebody who changed your life”, and “tap somebody who is intelligent”. This went on for roughly 15-20 minutes. It was an extremely empowering space, and the atmosphere and vibe was absolutely beautiful. I had goosebumps by the end, realizing just how important I was in the lives of many people. On the topic of positive affirmations, we also made “warm and fuzzies”, which were post-it note affirmations and appreciation for fellow retreat-members. I hung up my favorites in my dorm…
This retreat also gave me a space to say goodbye to members of Posse 7, the senior Posse on campus. They have all changed my life in a positive way, and some of them have impacted me to the point that I consider them to be my family. This will be my first and only Retreat with them. They will all go off to do amazing things after they graduate.
So, that was my weekend! I left with much more than I came with. It will be something I look back and after I graduate, with nostalgic and watery eyes.
