I recently had the opportunity to participate in the Leadership Gathering at North Bay Adventures as a representative for Alpha Phi Omega. Since I’m serving as the club’s president this semester, I thought it’d be a great chance to meet the students representing other organizations. The trip was organized by LEED for members of the Student Government Association, Fraternity and Sorority Life (FSL), the HOP, and LEED Consultants, all of whom play important roles in planning events on campus. It was a weekend filled with insightful discussions, team-building activities, and moments of reflection that have left me feeling more connected to my peers and better prepared to take on leadership roles this semester.
We kicked off the gathering by meeting at 8 a.m., where we all boarded the bus that would take us to North Bay Adventures. The drive itself was a chance to catch up with friends as many of us had just returned to campus. Upon arrival, we were given a tour of the premises, which included a beautiful beach and dock, a pool, and even ziplines. The atmosphere felt like a summer sleepaway camp, especially when we saw our rooms that fit eight bunk beds!
The first official activity was a name game in a big circle, serving as an icebreaker that set the tone for the weekend. It was the first of many, but it helped us ease into the group dynamic. The highlight of the day was a talk by Dr. Brittini Brown, the Associate Vice Provost for Student Engagement and Dean of Students. She spoke about what it means to be an effective leader and then answered our burning questions about what fun events are being planned for this year. We also had training sessions on empathetic leadership, active listening, and storytelling, which were important skills that came up often. We practiced applying these in the context of scenarios we might face as student leaders and discussed how to best handle challenges.
The night ended on a high note with a bonfire on the beach, complete with s’mores. It was a relaxed environment where everyone let their guard down, leading to some great conversations. We stayed up late, talking and laughing, making memories that would last beyond the trip.
The next morning, a few of us woke up early, hoping to catch the sunrise. Unfortunately, we missed it, but the early morning walk on the beach was a peaceful way to start the day. We spent some time exploring the premises and eventually found ourselves in the game room, where a friendly game of ping pong kept the mood light and fun before breakfast.
After breakfast, the focus shifted to team-building activities. We rotated through various stations, tackling puzzles and challenges like the human knot, arranging pictures from most to least zoomed out, and building the tallest tower. Each activity tested our teamwork and problem-solving skills, and we were scored on our performance. Our team became quite competitive, and we managed to convince some of the station leaders to give us 11 out of 10 to balance out our lower scores. Everyone was really enthusiastic about participating, and it was a great way to meet students there on behalf of different groups.
In the afternoon, we broke into our respective team tracks. For those of us in FSL, we focused on goal setting within our smaller councils, which often face unique situations. As a president, I took this time to set SMART goals for the upcoming school year—goals that will guide my actions and serve as a reference point during checkpoint meetings throughout the year.
We concluded with a heartwarming activity called “Warm and Fuzzies.” We wrote notes of appreciation to people we had met during the trip. Reading through these notes on the bus ride back was a touching way to reflect on the different groups I had interacted with. It reinforced the connections I made and left me feeling encouraged and motivated as I head into this new semester.
The Leadership Gathering was an opportunity to grow as a leader, connect with peers, and set the tone for the academic year ahead. The skills and insights I gained from this experience are invaluable, and I’m excited to apply them as I navigate the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. This weekend has left me feeling empowered and ready to make a positive impact in my roles at Hopkins.
