2025 Emory Advance Spring Break Retreat

Discover what it means to live purposefully.

Uncover who you aspire to become through a transformative 5-day retreat where curiosity, self-discovery, and meaningful connections take center stage. Dive into structured sessions that will challenge your assumptions, ignite your passion for growth, and help you develop the skills to live purposefully. From unpacking the external forces shaping your identity to crafting your own personal narrative, this experience will leave you empowered to challenge your Perception Box^TM and rewrite your own story. You'll engage in thought-provoking exercises, connect deeply with your peers, and reflect on your life journey—all while enjoying unstructured moments for bonding and reflection. Leave with clarity, a sense of purpose, and a framework for flourishing, ready to make your mark.

Through structured sessions aimed at curious exploration of gifts, values and purpose-based commitments, students will

reflect on and question their assumptions and biases,
begin to understand how their current goals are a product of and reinforced by cultural narratives, and
learn how to ask and answer questions of purpose and meaning as they build curiosity for personal growth.

Retreat Details

Dates: Sunday, March 9th, 2025 - Thursday, March 13th, 2025
Location: The Mountain Retreat & Learning Center, Highlands, North Carolina
Cost: Free. The 2025 Emory Advance is made possible by a grant from Unlikely Collaborators.
Who can participate: First- and Second-year students at Emory

This retreat will include:

An invitation to spend time with others and leave technology for the sake of building friendships
Spend 4-5 hours per day in fun and engaging sessions
The opportunity to challenge yourself and others
Physical activities, such as hiking and spending time outdoors

By completing this form, I confirm I am available to attend the 2025 Emory Advance retreat and am eligible to participate.

Personal Details

Alert! If you arrived on this form without logging in with your NetID and Password, you will be unable to complete this form. If your name and EMPLID are not pre-populated in the fields below, please log-in using your Emory credentials for full access to this form.

First Name

Preferred Name

Last Name

Preferred Pronouns

Student ID

Email Address

Cell Phone Number

Lottery Entrance

Students will be selected for the 2025 Emory Advance by lottery and notified via email.
Please answer the following questions so we can get to know you and tailor content to the group specifically.

At Emory, what do you want to learn about yourself and the world?

What do you hope to get from 2025 Emory Advance?

How do you hope to contribute to the 2025 Emory Advance community?

Medical Details & Dietary Requirements

Please list any medical conditions.

Do you have any dietary requirements?

None

Vegetarian

Vegan

Gluten Free

Nut Allergy

No Beef/Pork

Shellfish Allergy

Kosher

Halal

Other Allergy

Other Restriction/s

Please explain your allergy:

Please explain your other restriction/s:

Overnight Lodging

All lodging is in heated/air-conditioned rooms with semi-private restrooms. Each student will be provided with 1 fitted sheet, pillow, pillowcase, bath towel and 2 washcloths. Any additional needs, outside of what is already provided by the program, may be discussed with Angela Sudu. You will be in a room with 1 other 1st- or 2nd-year student. Each room has an attached restroom. Please let us know your preference for overnight accommodations.

Type of Room

Single Gender - Female

Single Gender - Male

Mixed Gender

Commitment & Verification

Conduct Verification: By the submission of this lottery registration, I certify that the information provided is complete and accurate. Furthermore, I authorize the persons or entities to provide any relevant information to Emory University for use in evaluating my registration and waive any required notice to me.

By checking this box, I agree to conduct verification

Advance Commitment: By submitting this registration, I certify that I am committing to attending the 2025 Emory Advance, if selected, leaving campus at 8:30 am Sunday, March 9th and returning to campus around 6 pm Thursday, March 13th. Transportation to and from the site is provided free of charge.

By checking this box, I confirm that I have read and understood the commitment to the 2025 Emory Advance event.

Note: Information regarding transportation arrangements and all required event waivers will be released to prospective event attendees after entering the lottery.

Emory Advance Event Waiver

Emergency Contact

Emergency Contact Name

Emergency Contact Relationship

Emergency Contact Phone Number

Event Waiver

EMORY UNIVERSITY RELEASE, ASSUMPTION OF RISK AND COVENANT NOT TO SUE FOR PARTICIPATION IN OFF-CAMPUS ACTIVITIES

I have volunteered to do the following (check all that apply):

(a) participate in 2025 Emory Advance at The Mountain Retreat Learning Center 3872 Dillard Road, Highlands, NC 28741 on March 9-13, 2025, an Emory Purpose Project Event (The Program);

(b) travel to and/or from this Emory Purpose Project activity in a chartered bus.

I understand that my participation in this Program is entirely voluntary and is in no way required by Emory to complete the credit hours required for a degree. I understand that Emory does not warrant (or guarantee) in any respect the competency or mental or physical condition of any person associated with my travel or the physical condition of any facility or equipment used in connection with my travel to or during the Program. I understand that Emory does not provide me with any travel insurance in connection with the Program.

I understand that there are inherent risks involved in participating in the Program. I am aware that, during the Program, certain risks and dangers may occur, including, but not limited to, the hazards of traveling bus, van, or other conveyance; the hazards of large groups of people; accident or illness; strains, sprains, and broken bones; the forces of nature; all manner of foreseen and unforeseen bodily and personal injuries, including death; damage to property; and the consequences resulting therefrom.

I understand it is my responsibility to know what personal equipment is required (such as footwear and clothing) and provide the proper personal equipment for my participation in the Program, and to ensure that it is in good and suitable condition. I agree to ask questions to make sure that I know how to safely participate in the Program.

In addition, I understand that, as part of the Program, I may be subjecting myself to exposure to individuals whose health history and exposure risk for COVID-19 and other infectious diseases cannot be determined. Should I contract COVID-19 or any other infectious disease or have symptoms consistent with a COVID-19 or any other infectious disease diagnosis, I understand and agree that I will not participate in Program activities in accordance with prevailing medical guidance I may participate.

IN CONSIDERATION OF BEING PERMITTED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM, I ACKNOWLEDGE AND VOLUNTARILY ASSUME ALL RISKS OF DAMAGES OR INJURY, INCLUDING DEATH, THAT I MAY SUSTAIN OR THAT MY PROPERTY MAY SUSTAIN WHILE I PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM, ALONG WITH ANY TRAVEL TO OR FROM SUCH PROGRAM OR THE PROVISION OF TRANSPORTATION TO OR FROM THE PROGRAM.

In addition, I, on my own behalf and on behalf of my heirs, representatives, executors, administrators and assigns, for the sole consideration of being allowed to participate in the Program, do hereby release, relieve, covenant not to sue and forever discharge, defend, indemnify and hold harmless, Emory, and its trustees, officers, agents, employees, students, and volunteers of any and from all claims, demands, rights, liabilities, losses, expenses, and causes of action (with the exception of gross negligence or willful misconduct) of whatever kind or nature including, but not limited to, negligence, arising from and by reason of any and all known and unknown, foreseen and unforeseen bodily and personal injuries, damage to property, and the consequences thereof, including death, resulting from any participation in or in any way connected with or arising out of the Program, including any claim arising out of or connected with any illness or injury (minimal, serious, catastrophic and/or death) that I may incur or sustain during the Program, all activities associated with the Program and while traveling to and from the site for the Program, whether or not the Program actually occurs.

Media Release. For good and valuable consideration herein acknowledged as received, I hereby grant to Releasees, and those acting with Releasees’ authority and permission, the irrevocable and unrestricted right and permission to create, use, re-use, publish and re-publish video recordings, audio recordings, photographs, or other media that contain or capture my likeness or voice or in which my likeness or voice may be included (the “Recordings”) in connection with any publication or materials relating to or serving the mission and goals of Releasees’, including advertisements, brochures, or other promotional materials. The Recordings may be used with or without Student’s name, and in any and all media now or hereafter known. I acknowledge and agree that Releasees’ own all right, title, and interest in and to the Recordings, including all copyrights therein and the full and unrestricted right to edit and modify the Recordings, and I hereby assign and agree to assign any such interest that I may own or control to Releasees. I also consent to the use of any printed matter in conjunction with the Recordings. I hereby waive any right I may have to inspect or approve the Recordings or any finished product or products incorporating the Recordings and any written or other print material that may be used in connection therewith, including print material containing my name. I acknowledge that nothing in this Agreement obligates Releasees or any third party to make any use of the Recordings.

I expressly agree that the terms of this Release, Assumption of Risk and Covenant Not to Sue shall be binding upon me and my heirs, executors and assigns, and all members of my family. BY SIGNING BELOW, I HEREBY ACKNOWLEDGE THAT I HAVE CAREFULLY READ AND UNDERSTOOD THE ABOVE BEFORE SIGNING AND AGREE TO COMPLY WITH THE ABOVE PROVISIONS. I INTEND THIS TO BE A COMPLETE AND UNCONDITIONAL RELEASE OF ALL LIABILITY TO THE GREATEST EXTENT ALLOWED BY LAW AND AGREE THAT, IF ANY PORTION OF THE RELEASE IS HELD TO BE INVALID, THE BALANCE, NOTWITHSTANDING, SHALL CONTINUE IN FULL FORCE AND EFFECT. I expressly agree that this Release shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Georgia without regard to conflict of law principles.

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Conduct Agreement

Conduct Agreement for Emory Advance

March 9th, 2025 through March 13th, 2025

Emory Advance Participant Expectations

The Advance is an intentional time for Emory First-Years and Second-Years to reflect on their current lives and their futures and connect with peers, faculty, and staff. The main goal of The Advance is to help students become more aware and discerning about their goals, beliefs, and values, and to encourage students in their life journey. This dynamic event allows students to engage in meaningful discussions, and experts will facilitate discussions and activities throughout the program. Students can discover the concrete steps for their future in this safe space.

There are certain expectations of all attendees, that will ensure a robust and positive experience for the Emory Community, and we thank you for your commitment to the following agreements:

Alcohol and Other Drugs

This retreat is intended as a personal and professional development opportunity provided by the Emory Purpose Project, as such, all participants are prohibited from using alcohol or other drugs during the 2025 Emory Advance retreat, even if over the age of 21.

Leaving the Property

No participants should leave The Mountain Retreat & Learning Center Property. In case of an emergency, a participant must contact a member of the Emory Advance Staff. If it is an immediate and life-threatening emergency, 911 should be called.

Rooming

All participants are expected to be respectful to their roommate(s) and any issues on-site may be brought up to the Emory staff member on duty.

Incidental Costs

Any additional needs, outside of what is already provided by the program, may be discussed with Ira Bedzow or Angela Sudu.

Engagement and Participation

Participants are expected to be present and actively participate in all workshops, sessions, and activities planned throughout the retreat.

Respect and Accountability

Participants should remain aware of the values of respect and accountability to their selves and Emory University.

Emory Policy on Alcohol and Other Drugs

Standards of Conduct

All Emory University faculty, staff and students are prohibited by the University from unlawfully using, possessing, manufacturing, dispensing or distributing alcohol, controlled substances or illegal drugs on University-owned property or at University-sponsored activities.

Emory University expects all of its faculty, staff and students to comply with any applicable federal, state or local laws pertaining to the use, possession, manufacture, dispensation or distribution of alcohol, controlled substances, or illegal drugs.

All participants must comply with Emory’s Policy on Alcohol and Other Drugs, a detailed review of the policy can be found here.

Emory University Undergraduate Code of Conduct

Expectations of Conduct

Emory University expects that all students act honorably, demonstrating a keen sense of ethical conduct. The university expects that its students behave respectfully, providing particular consideration for other people and for property. As members of a community, Emory University expects that students act responsibly, being accountable for the safety and wellbeing of themselves and others. University students are expected to be trustworthy, demonstrating honest character upon which others may rely with confidence.

Although it is neither possible nor necessary to specify every instance of misconduct that could result in disciplinary action against a student, the following are examples of the types of behavior that are considered violations of this Code.

All participants must comply with Emory University Undergraduate Code of Conduct, a detailed review of the policy can be found here.

Check All to Agree

I have reviewed the Emory University Policy on Alcohol and Other Drugs, and the Emory University Undergraduate Code of Conduct.

I understand I am responsible for reading and understanding all items outlined in these documents, as well as items that are common sense, and not necessarily defined or outlined in these documents.

I understand that failure to adhere to this agreement and/or policy may result in my removal from the 2025 Emory Advance and that I may be responsible for reimbursing the costs of my attendance and/or special transportation. Depending on the severity of the situation, the Emory Purpose Project will refer situation to the Office for Student Conduct.

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