As always, Inbound is offering a variety of retreat options to meet the diverse interests of our incoming first-year students. Inbound provides an excellent opportunity to meet your classmates while experiencing the campus community and surrounding areas through outdoor exploration, artistic expression, spiritual retreats, service learning, or social empowerment. Each retreat will have approximately 10 first-year participants.

Each retreat is led by two upperclassmen student leaders who strive to reduce the common fears encountered by many college-bound students. These Peer Leaders serve as a resource to guide students into everyday life at Juniata College. The Peer Leaders selected for Inbound are well trained and play an active role in the Juniata College community.

During the registration process, you will be asked to sign-up for five of our exciting retreats themes. Retreat assignment will be based on preferences, rather than first-come, first-serve, to ensure participants are in a group that matches their interests. Once we have received all of the applications, we will work hard to place everyone in one of their top 3 choices, but cannot make any guarantees.

Around the World Equestrian Outdoors - Camping
Arts Juniata 101 Outdoors - Hiking
Club Sports Leadership Outdoors - White Water Rafting
Community Service - Big Brothers Big Sisters Martial Arts Plexus Inbound
Community Service Mind, Body, Spirit Theatre
Dance Outdoors - Biking/Cycling Wildlife
Gaming Rock Climbing  

AROUND THE WORLD

around the world

The Around the World retreat welcomes all participants with a burning desire to understand and experience different cultures, foods, and places! This retreat aims to celebrate diversity by learning about various cultures and focusing on all the benefits worldwide travel has to offer. This year students will be touring the Cathedral of Learning’s Nationality Rooms in Pittsburgh and exploring all that the area has to offer! Other activities include International dinners with Staff and/or Faculty Ambassadors, learning about Study Abroad, and more! This retreat is an excellent introduction to our language departments or to any international opportunities incoming students may be considering!

ARTS

arts

Fostering love for personal expression and all things creative, the Arts retreat exposes participants to a variety of visual arts. Students will be challenged through self-exploration, creativity, and expression. The Arts retreats will travel to State College to visit area museums and explore what our neighboring town has to offer.

The Arts retreat showcases the best of what Juniata College and the Huntingdon area have to offer. Students will be challenged through self-exploration, creativity, and expression with a variety of hands on activities. No experience necessary! This year the retreat will be traveling to near by State College to visit a local art studio and museum. The students will also be creating some of their own masterpieces with some local artists and professors around campus and Huntingdon. This retreat is meant to have fun with fellow classmates and get those creative juices flowing for the upcoming semester.

CLUB SPORTS

club sports

The Club Sports retreat introduces participants to the Intercollegiate Club Sports that Juniata College has to offer: Women and Men’s Rugby, Women’s Club Volleyball, and Ultimate Frisbee. Students will actively compete against one another and other Club Sports retreats, travel to a state park for Frisbee Golf and swimming, and challenge their fitness by hiking 1000 Steps located near Juniata’s campus. This retreat is open to students of all skill levels and is an excellent precursor for any students looking to be involved in club sports at Juniata. Come ready to play, ready to sweat, and ready to learn!

COMMUNITY SERVICE - BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS

big brothers big sisters

The Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) retreat teaches students the importance of civic responsibility and leadership through working with at-risk youth. Each student with be one-on-one and mentoring a child to overcome the many challenges he or she may face while growing up. Students converse about child development, effects of socioeconomic status on our community, and the mission of BBBS of America. Possible activities students may do with his/her “littles” includes: playing games, creating crafts, going to an amusement park, and just getting to know one another! This is an excellent introduction to the BBBS Club on campus!

COMMUNITY SERVICE - BLUE AND GOLD

environmental science retreat

Through participation in a variety of service projects within Huntingdon and surrounding counties, this Community Service retreat will allow participants to learn more about themselves, their peers, and their new neighbors. Participants will gain an understanding of leadership and civic responsibility while experiencing Huntingdon and improving the community. Students will broaden their awareness of environmental issues, hunger, poverty, and other issues of community concern.

The Environmental Community Service Retreat with participare in a variety of service projects within Huntingdon and surrounding counties. This retreat integrates aspects of agriculture, the environment, and science through community service and other activities. Students will be helping Keep PA Beautiful with the Juniata River clean up this year.

DANCE

dance

The Dance retreat hopes to capture students interested in all things dance! The retreat is open to students with varying degrees of experience and will tap into a range of styles and genres. Students will test their physical strength, explore other areas of health and wellness, and meet other participants with a love of dance. Any skill level is welcome, only a positive attitude is required! Students will have the chance to travel to State College for a class (maybe Zumba or Belly Dancing!) while also discovering the dance opportunities right here in Huntingdon. This retreat is an excellent introduction to the Juniata Dance Team or Step Team, although participation is not required after Inbound.

GAMING

Do you like playing multi-player video games with new friends? Do you like trying out new board games? Think you can get out of an escape room faster than your friends? If you answered yes to any of these questions, this retreat is for you! The Ministry of Gaming has a unique collection of multi-player games and board games that you will enjoy with your new friends in the Gaming Retreat. The group will also take a trip to an escape room to test their skills against the clock!

JUNIATA 101

beach

If you want to learn more about Juniata College and the Huntingdon area, this retreat is perfect for you! You will get a brief overview of what the area has to offer, including but not limited to; Huntingdon and Juniata history, tours of downtown, and various other trips to get you better acquainted with your new home. Students will travel to Lincoln Caverns, tour Lake Raystown via boat, and become acclimated with stores, restaurants, and activities near the college. This retreat is an excellent option for international students, incoming freshmen, and transfer students who want to get a jump-start on knowing the lay of the land!

LEADERSHIP

leadership

The Leadership retreat will allow for incoming students to learn about themselves and potential roles in the Juniata Community.  Students will have a blast through leadership and group activities. Clubs and Societies on campus will be introduced to the incoming students and will learn how to get involved such as becoming president of a club!

MARTIAL ARTS

martial arts

The Martial Arts retreat focuses on traditional Asian martial arts. With the help of peer leaders, an Faculty Ambassador, and special instructors, this group will experience a variety of traditional Asian martial arts.  Students will be instructed in Tai Chi by Dr. Dunwoody (Professor of Psychology at Juniata), travel to Central PA Mixed Martial Arts for lessons in State College, and participate in other activities such as hiking and mini golf. No experience necessary! And all who are interested are encouraged to sign up for this retreat. Be prepared to challenge yourself!

MIND, BODY, SPIRIT

mind, body, spirit

It seems that students today are always busy. Busy with academics, clubs, sports, jobs, internships, and other extracurricular activities. “Somewhere around the end of the 20th century, busyness became not just a way of life but a badge of honor. And life, sociologists say, became an exhausting everydayathon.” *

This retreat will focus on reminding students to take time for themselves - their Mind, Body, and Spirit. Students can expect to participate in activities such as yoga, meditation, hiking, and other activities and discussions involving healthy living - physically, mentally and spiritually.

'I’m busier than you are' - Writer BRIGID SCHULTE explains how the Type As turned us all into hamsters

OUTDOORS - BIKING/CYCLING

biking

Grab your helmets! This retreat will focus on Rails to Trails, mountain biking, and more cycling fun! Your group will be challenged to push themselves physically and support each other during miles of biking. You will learn about cycling safety and about trails local to Juniata. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to complete a service project with the Raystown Mountain Bike Association. Bikes and helmets will be provided by Rothrock Outfitters (our local outdoor adventure center). You are welcome to bring your own mountain bike if you wish. Get ready to ride! This retreat is a great way to learn more about the Bike JC club on campus.

OUTDOORS - CAMPING

camping

If you love the outdoors, cooking over a campfire, and sleeping under the stars (or in a tent) this is the retreat for you. Students can expect to kayak to a remote camping location on Raystown Lake accessible only by boat, hike trails in central PA, and learn to love the outdoors activities offered by Juniata College and it’s surroundings. This challenging retreat will help build group skills and teamwork and requires a positive attitude. The camping retreat is a great introduction to the Laughing Bush outdoors club on campus.

OUTDOORS - HIKING

Backpacking at Juniata College

Explore Central Pennsylvania on foot with others who love the outdoors! Participants will cover approximately 2 to 7 miles a day on rocky, mountainous terrain in nearby state parks. Hiking experience is not necessary. A positive attitude and good mental and physical shape are musts for these adventurous retreats! The hiking retreat is a great opportunity if you’re interested in the Laughing Bush outdoors club on campus.

OUTDOORS - ROCK CLIMBING

Are you a fan of the outdoors? Like adventure? See a wall of rocks and think, “I could climb that?” Then this retreat is for you. This group will start off going to an indoor gym to learn the basics of rock climbing and get a feel for it before setting off to local rock formations and trying your hand at the real thing. No experience necessary, and all equipment provided to have a safe fun adventure!

OUTDOORS - WHITE WATER RAFTING

white water rafting

This retreat theme is for students seeking a challenging adventure! Students in this Outdoors retreat will participate in a variety of activities, including a high ropes team building course and a day-trip White Water Rafting down the Youghiogheny River (http://www.wwaraft.com). This retreat is sure to provide a good time and allow you to become more in touch with the beauty of our natural surroundings. "What to Wear"

PLEXUS

plexus

Juniata's Plexus retreat is designed to allow new students with concerns about multiculturalism to meet other new and returning students and offer their friendship, support, and guidance.

The event will not only give students insight into the ways in which diversity is being integrated into college life, but also will highlight the opportunities for cultural experiences and the resources available both here on campus as well as within the surrounding communities.

While the focus of Plexus is intended to give new students an opportunity to connect with those who have had similar experiences, it is open to any student with concerns related to diversity and inclusion. We will also recognize the need to address basic nuts and bolts issues like:

  • Where is the closest Mosque/Temple/Synagogue/Church?
  • Where can I purchase ethnic foods, spices and hair care products?
  • Where can I find a support community for my religion/ethnicity/sexual orientation/etc.?

Each retreat will also have the opportunity to mingle with other retreats and participate in larger group activities and programs.

Click here to learn more about Plexus and the Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.

THEATRE

theatre

If you are passionate about performing arts, this is the retreat for you! Get ready to challenge your creative side through possible activities such as visiting historical Mishler Theatre in Altoona, practicing improv skills, and exploring theatre opportunities at Juniata! Students will also get a comprehensive tour of Juniata’s theatre spaces and some hands-on activities with our theatre professors. Participants of all experience levels are welcome!

WILDLIFE

This retreat is perfect for incoming students interested in wildlife conservation and environmental science, but all POEs are welcome! Our activities will range from a float trip on the Juniata to capture and collect data on turtles, to bird banding, to camera trapping, and more! For this adventure-filled retreat, we will be splitting our time between campus and the Raystown Field Station (the land of great food and the great outdoors), so you will get to experience both beautiful places. This retreat is also a great way to get learn more about The Juniata College Chapter of the Wildlife Society, and meet some of the members!