Theme

What does it mean to have integrity? As a program or an individual? We say it is about virtue and completeness. How do we develop such characteristics? I contend it begins with the heart. After all, a well known proverb says:

Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.

The theme of this year's retreat is integrity and we will reflect on the Shawshank Redemption character, Andy Dufresne, in our discussions. The movie is required watching. Remember what Andy said as he returns from solitary confinement: "I had Mr. Mozart to keep me company...[He points and taps his head] It was in here. [And he gestures over his heart] And in here. That's the beauty of music. They can't get that from you. Haven't you ever felt that way about music?...Here's where it makes the most sense. You need it so we don't forget...that there are places in the world that aren't made out of stone, that there's, there's somethin' inside that they can't get to, that they can't touch. It's yours."

We are not equating a memory of Mozart with integrity (or the stuff of which integrity is made). Mozart is a metaphor. What is your "music"?

Past retreats

Recaps of past LLSP retreats are posted on the post-retreat page.

Venue

Epworth By The Sea is located on Gascoigne Bluff, a one-mile riverbank tract from the causeway bridge to the bend in the Frederica River which serves as the gateway to St. Simons Island. Epworth By The Sea is named for Epworth, England, the boyhood home of John and Charles Wesley.

Departure/Return Schedule

• Dates are January 18-20, 2008; depart Athens Fri ~1pm; (absence letters here, print your own copy) meet at 1230pm at the Intramural fields parking lot nearest Lake Herrick on the left; arrive St. Simons 6-7pm in time to dash to dining hall.
  
• Depart St. Simons Sun, 11am; we will stop briefly for lunch, cost will be on you; arrive Athens 5pm.
  
• We will travel to and from St. Simons by team on a chartered bus. No private cars allowed.
  

Road Rules and Personal Retreat Agreement

Each individual is required to abide by the following rules:

• Remain with the group at all times. No one will be able to leave Epworth without a team leader.
  
• Use of personal audio or video on the bus, on the ropes course, or during our meeting times is not allowed. The retreat is a group thing and headphones will get in the way.
  
• Absolutely no alcoholic beverages or otherwise controlled substances. This rule may not bind on you, but we have to state it anyway.

Thanks for your understanding and cooperation. Like your parents might say, we have your best interests in mind. Therefore each person is required to complete and sign a Personal Retreat Agreement and a Ropes Course release form. These should be returned to Tracie at our regular weekly meetings in spring.

DO NOT hand them to me "the day of" while we are loading the bus and I am busy getting us on the road.

What to Bring

We will be staying in Epworth's cabin accommodations, so you should bring a sleeping bag (or bed linens), pillow, towel & toiletries (only soap and toilet paper are provided). Make sure you include some ropes-course appropriate clothes. You should also take something to write with and on. A few recreational items would be nice as well: a frisbee, bocce ball, a football or a basketball (definitely). Finally, at least one person per cabin needs to bring an alarm clock.

Each team has two obligations PRIOR to the retreat:

• Cheer. Each team must compose a cheer to demonstrate whenever it is appropriate to be motivated in a ridiculous way. The first cheer will be just prior to departure. Are you ready?
• Compile a team music playlist. Each person must select a song that identifies her/him in some way. Each team will designate an individual to compile the songs into a team playlist.