Student leaders will meet in Grass Valley

Some Cal State Long Beach students are roughing it in the mountains this weekend during a 12th annual leadership retreat designed to help enhance self-growth for student leaders.

The retreat, called Teamwork, is focused on helping people work together by developing leadership skills and teambuilding techniques, said Brett Waterfield, Student Life and Development coordinator.

About 93 students are expected to attend the retreat that begins Friday and ends Sunday in Grass Valley Camp, near Big Bear.

"It gives students an opportunity to dialogue and meet students that they would just normally pass by in school, and join forces with other groups," Waterfield said.

Topics include dialogue and diversity, communication skills, ethics and student leadership, managing time and stress burn-out.

"After the discussion on Saturday night, we will have a talent show and the office will provide prizes," Waterfield said. "We plan to have a dance with a DJ and a bonfire on Friday."

Several student and staff volunteers from Educational Equity Services, Student Orientation Advising and Registration, and University Relations and Development will help conduct activities throughout the weekend.

Several departments and organizations, such as black studies, the Embassador Program, Learning Alliance, and the Educational Opportunity Program, sponsored students to attend this year.

"Basically I'm going so I can get to know other leaders on campus and network with them," said Matthew Claybrooks, student advisor of EOP. "This will be a perfect opportunity to get to know them better."

Several students who attended last year's retreat said that the program was about team building and that CSULB now seems to be a much more exciting place. Another student said the program helped build leadership skills and student relations.

"It is an unbelievable experience," said Valerie Bordeaux, staff volunteer and director of University Outreach and School Relations. "Last year, students had a wonderful time with bonding and personal growth. It's the kind of experience you look back on in your college years with a smile, remembering the discussions and the crazy nights of the talent shows."

This year's retreat is being sponsored by Student Life and Development, Associated Students and Student Services.

Enrollment for this year's Teamwork retreat is closed, but students may sign up for next year's retreat at Student Life and Development in USU-203.

"I recommend the program to students who want to be leaders or who are leaders," Bordeaux said. "It's a must."