Photo Credit: Andy Robinson
Last weekend, we held our 2016 Summer Fellowship Retreat in Portland, Oregon. Fellows had the opportunity to meet their peers from around the country, pitch their projects to one another, and collaborate on possible solutions to challenges faced.
Photo Credit: Andy Robinson
During Day One, fellows reflected on their leadership journeys, participated in leadership and team building activities, and really got to know each other. Boys & Girls Clubs of Portland Club Director, Rachel Parker, led a training on adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and how to best serve youth in their communities. The day wrapped up with an Escape the Room challenge, where fellows were prompted work together to solve a series of riddles to escape a dangerous theme!
By Day Two, fellows taste-tested not one but two famous Portland donut shops - VooDoo and Blue Star! The day began with a beach cleanup through SOLVEoregon, where they collected trash and micro-litter in a Portland park. The retreat wrapped up with fellows bouncing fundraising ideas off of one another and looking ahead towards personal short term and long term goals.
Photo Credit: Andy Robinson
The retreat took place during a mid-point of some of the shorter fellowships, while it served as more of a fellowship introduction to others. Regardless of where the retreat landed on fellowship timelines, the weekend fostered a sense of community, collaboration, and success.