Just wondering...

[singabelle]

So I basically go to school to be able to teach people how to play well with others. I've become pretty proficient in team-building activities and having to build trust within a group and all that jazz, which is why the fact that all 3 a cappella groups at FSU go on a retreat each year makes complete sense to me.

Well, I was just speaking with a fellow femappellan (we're going to pretend that word just made sense) and was surprised to find that her group had never even thought about going on a retreat. AcaBelles, All-Night Yahtzee, and Reverb all try to go on retreat ASAP (separately) to start building bonds within the group and learn music and pretty much set the tone of trust and support for the rest of the year. I think it's one of the most beneficial things we do and the bond we create early in the year really helps with success later on.

Sooo...just out of curiosity (and because I'm a recreation geek), I was wondering how many groups do something like retreat? Why or why not? Is it something that you feel is important or just takes extra time and money that doesn't have to be spent?

[Mnemosyne]

I'm a huuuuge advocate of Retreat. For the uninitiated it might sound a little silly, but it makes such a huge difference. I remember coming back from my friest retreat freshman year, tired as all hell (yeah, that happens), and just singing for an hour. I don't think we'd ever sounded that good before that point in the year (this was an unfortunate circumstance in which Retreat had to be moved to 2nd semester because of so many scheduling conflicts).

We generally do it in some remote location in the Vermont/New Hampshire area - the last two years, we've all chipped in to rent a ski lodge in the off-season, so we got it for a ridiculously low price. Absolutely worth it to get the group belnded together. I know some groups do different kinds of retreats - some involve learning, some don't. We don't do any sort of learning, with the exception of a particularly important scat solo. If you have a chance to just take a fun time out in November and, I don't know, go pick apples and climb mountains, I say go for it!

[davecharliebrown]

For some reason group retreats have always been a topic of particular interest to me. I think they're a gangbusters way to start your year off right, and can also work well as a jumpstart/regroup in January at the beginning of the next semester.

In my limited exposure, it is my opinion that groups who have a retreat are generally more successful early on in the school year than they would've been. However, it's by no means required, as there are muchos grupos out there that never have retreats and are still successful.

As one obvious example, Noteworthy is fanatical about retreats, and to my knowledge Vocal Point has never had one. But both groups are doin just dandy.

In sum, not having one won't kill you, but it certainly can help!

[JillClark]

The Sapphires take a weekend retreat at least once a year (normally in the fall semester). We try to always go somewhere fun (ex: the beach, etc) so that we know we'll have something fun to do, but we primarily use the time to cram new music, as well as giving the new members time to adapt to us as people and to have plenty of time with the music in case they have questions.

I think retreats are super important, especially for new members of a group--it sets the tone for their whole experience. I know when I get joined the Sapphires, our fall retreat was probably one of my favorite college experiences, and I knew instantly that I would be with the group my whole four years of schooling.

In short, retreats are awesome. Make one happen for your group this year.

[JillClark]

An addition: If money is an issue for your group, don't give up! Someone in your group will have some distant relative that they have never met who may or may not have a beach house at some beach you may or may not have heard of...and they might just let you use it. In my three years of retreat-ing, we've never paid more than $50 for housing for 15 girls. Ask around; it's totally worth it.

[Mnemosyne]

For some reason group retreats have always been a topic of particular interest to me.

Do I sense a podcast topic?

[johnhe]

Retreats are great. Great time to rehearse, do business, bond, and do whatever else you need to get done.

[singabelle]

For some reason group retreats have always been a topic of particular interest to me.

Do I sense a podcast topic?

I've had the retreat convo with D-Bro before...that would potentially be a 2 hour show...just saying.

[davecharliebrown]

For some reason group retreats have always been a topic of particular interest to me.

Do I sense a podcast topic?

I've had the retreat convo with D-Bro before...that would potentially be a 2 hour show...just saying.

Basically I've never had a conversation about running a group that was under 2 hours. Just saying.

I have a problem.

[chadberg]

I have a problem.

Don't we all have the same problem?

[davecharliebrown]

Chad. You, of all people, definitely have that problem. :)

[brianhaverkate]

So I basically go to school to be able to teach people how to play well with others. I've become pretty proficient in team-building activities and having to build trust within a group and all that jazz, which is why the fact that all 3 a cappella groups at FSU go on a retreat each year makes complete sense to me.

Is Yahtzee still heading out to St. George Island for retreat? I remember throwing that out to the first Yahtzee group and getting weird looks. It really is THE perfect place to retreat to though...that is if you can stay away from the beach. :)

[sghutchings]

Is Yahtzee still heading out to St. George Island for retreat? I remember throwing that out to the first Yahtzee group and getting weird looks. It really is THE perfect place to retreat to though...that is if you can stay away from the beach. :)

Yahtzee retreats at St. George Island? Wow, I love that place, no wonder they sound good.

[singabelle]

Is Yahtzee still heading out to St. George Island for retreat? I remember throwing that out to the first Yahtzee group and getting weird looks. It really is THE perfect place to retreat to though...that is if you can stay away from the beach. :)

As far as I know they do and we try to when we can afford it. Oh St. George Island...how a land-locked Miami girl loves thee.