September 4, 2010 –While many freshman are getting settled in their new homes for the year, twelve new S.E.R.V.E. students began to build friendships and get a glimpse at what service is all about at Virginia Tech and in the themed housing community.
The weekend before classes began; the students took a trip to Apple Ridge Farm in Copper Hill, VA along with a few former S.E.R.V.E. students (who are now community advisors for the freshman helping to teach in class this semester) as well as a few upper classmen and an AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer.
Apple Ridge Farm is mainly used as an educational camp for at-risk youth, but also serves as an overnight conference center for groups like S.E.R.V.E. It is also a great place to hold team building retreats and company retreats. The farm is full of all kinds of activities including a ropes course, walking trails, a swimming pool, and even a dark sky observatory!
The two day retreat was filled with team building, teaching activities, and learning more about the program – even allowing for freshman to share some of their early woes and fears about starting college in a safe setting!
Melanie, a S.E.R.V.E. mentor said ,“The retreat was the initial kickoff to the living and learning program. It not only was an opportunity for students and upperclassmen involved in the program to get to know each other but, also an introduction to what community and service is all about in the NRV. I’m really looking forward to working with the students this year!”