The annual Camp I Am Me Young Adult Retreat was held again at YMCA Camp Benson in Mount Carroll the weekend of October 10th-13th. Camp Benson is home for three nights for this experience.
While most of the Thrivers and Mentors were from Illinois, guests came from Indiana, Kansas, and California, too.
Everyone worked together to create a safe space for the young adult Thrivers, not just to reconnect, but to also to grow forward. Everyone learned from each other, learned from the Mentors, learned from those who came to lead the educational sessions.
Saturday morning before the real work started, some participants woke up early to begin their day with a meditation exercise to build confidence and inner strength. This took place outside under sunny skies, mild temperatures, and tall trees.
Morning sessions in the main lodge dug into finding core strengths, and how to utilize them day to day, as well as gaining the ability to craft a vision for the future and breathing life into that by using vision boards.
The beautiful sunny afternoon on Saturday had everyone moving back outside for some fun & games before taking to the zipline and hiking along the cave walk trail on the grounds of Camp Benson which leads to … a cave of course.
Saturday night the topic was meal planning on a budget, cooking, and safety tips in the kitchen. Everyone, Thrivers and Mentors, participated in preparing and cooking a delicious dinner for the entire group.
After dinner it was time for some introspection. The group was asked to write a letter from their point of view to someone who is entering the burn unit for the very first time. What did they wish they knew, or wish someone had said, or think a patient should know. Drawings, sayings, heartfelt letters and quiet conversations filled the space, before everyone headed out to the campfire.
The group headed out to Mississippi Palisades State Park early Sunday morning. They were met by Devil’s Lake Climbing Guides, for several hours of activity on the bluffs high above the Mississippi River. Thrivers and Mentors challenged themselves to climb in several areas. Some of the group decided to keep both feet on the ground but served as an essential support piece. They learned to belay, or secure the climbers by controlling the slack in the rope, for those who dared to tackle the bluffs. It was a fantastic experience with everyone cheering on those who were climbing. When someone halfway up the bluffs would hesitate, often, the encouragement from ground level inspired them to reach farther and get to the top.
The final Sunday evening session is always one that goes deep, with Thrivers asking Mentors questions about life and the experiences it holds. This session also blossomed into a support system for Thrivers beyond the retreat. Participants stepped up for one another and confirmed they would be there for each other in the future. No Thriver left behind.
Monday morning dawned and was filled with reflections and final thoughts on what made this retreat so special. One last group photo of the dream team was taken, before goodbyes were said and everyone departed for safe travels home.
From discovering inner strengths to outward shows of support, from quiet contemplation to outbursts of group laughter, Strive to Thrive 2025 is in the books. The retreat was filled with lots of learning, lots of s’mores, and lots of support for one another.
See photos from the 2025 Young Adult Retreat here.