Join us August 21-22, 2013 at YMCA Camp Kern!

We hope that you decide to join us for this student-driven and peer-facilitated overnight retreat for incoming first-year University Honors Program students!

Each year, the University Honors Program hosts this retreat to welcome our incoming students. The retreat takes place just prior to the start of fall semester classes at the YMCA Camp Kern in Oregonia, OH.

It's the perfect opportunity to meet both incoming and upper-class University Honors students in a comfortable, interactive and fun setting. Students who attend the retreat make strong connections with one another that last throughout their time at UC (and beyond!).

You'll move through the retreat in a small group facilitated by an upper-class UHP student leader. You'll also participate in student-led breakout sessions focused on the themes of the University Honors Program - leadership, community engagement, global studies and research and creative arts. The retreat will be interactive and enjoyable and will include both small and large group sessions facilitated by students. Through this, incoming students become familiar with the University Honors Program through the perspectives of our continuing students.

All participants will meet on campus the morning of August 21st and we will take everyone to Camp Kern on coach buses. More information will be posted here soon and will also be sent to those who register. Please feel free to contact us any time with questions.

We are confident that you will engage in learning and build relationships that will be valuable during your first year at UC, both academically and socially. We guarantee that you will meet fellow honors students and have a lot of fun!

Registration Information

Download and complete the registration forms (Adobe PDF).  Please note there are two waivers to complete - one for the University Honors Program and one for Camp Kern.

Submit your completed forms and $50 payment (checks payable to the University of Cincinnati) to:

University Honors Program
ATTN:  Honors Welcome Retreat
PO Box 210007
Cincinnati, OH  45221-0007

At this time, we are only able to accept checks. We cannot accept credit card payments.

The deadline to register is Friday, July 26, 2013.  

Please note: Cancellations received after Friday, August 2, 2013 cannot be refunded. Cancellations made on or prior to Thursday, August 1, 2013 will be refunded.

Move Into Your Residence Hall Before the Retreat

Students who have registered for the retreat and have an on-campus residence hall assignment can move into their room beginning on August 20. Students will be required to pay an early move-in fee of $25/night for every night prior to the official opening day of their assigned residence hall.  The residence halls officially open on August 21 and 22 so students will pay either $25 or $50, payable to Housing and Food Services. Payment must be received by the Housing and Food Services office prior to arrival. 

To sign up for early move-in authorization, visit https://hfs.uc.edu/early after receiving your housing assignment. DO NOT fill out the form without your residence hall assignment.  Please list the University Honors Program as the group requiring you to arrive early.  The residence hall opening schedule will be available through Housing & Food Services during the first week of June after residence hall assignments have been distributed.

Students moving into University Park Apartments or other affiliated university housing should contact the management office for personal arrangements. 

Meal plans generally do not begin until the first day when the residence halls officially open.  So while students participating in the retreat have an opportunity to move in early, dining options are limited or available on a cash or credit card basis.

Check-In and Transportation

Welcome Retreat participants are asked to arrive at the UC Alumni Center (near the Campus Green Garage and the Lindner College of Business) beginning at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, August 21.  Students will be directed to the Hunter Room to check in and pick up their retreat materials.  Students are welcome to wait for the bus in the Alumni Hall and/or the Alumni Center parking lot.  Buses will arrive to load students onto the buses and will leave for the YMCA Camp Kern by no later than 9:30 a.m. 

The buses are estimated to return to the Alumni Center Parking lot by 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, August 22.

The Alumni Center parking lot is an easy drop-off and pick-up location if someone will be giving you a ride to and from campus. Please note that we do not reimburse for parking in the garages during the retreat.

The Welcome Retreat Staff

The following students will serve as this year's Welcome Retreat leaders:

*  Denotes Retreat Coordinator facilitating a thematic breakout session

** Denotes returning Team Leader