The first Bear POWER Summer Leadership Retreat wrapped up Tuesday afternoon, and it was an absolute blast!

Nine applicants stayed on Missouri State’s campus for three days, and two nights to experience college life. Applicants attended a Springfield Cardinals game, participated in a service learning project, attended a Kinesiology lecture and lab class, toured the library, rock climbed, created vision boards, and had a scavenger hunt. The students and volunteers were very busy!

Students quickly developed friendships with each other, and with Bear Blazer volunteers, creating a wonderfully close-knit dynamic. The support that students offered each other gave them the confidence to accomplish tasks and goals they weren’t sure of before the retreat. For example, all the students who rock climbed jumped right in, and climbed to the top! When prompted to present their vision boards to family and faculty, several students were unsure if they wanted to; however every student presented, and to a round of applause!

We could not be more proud of each applicant, and hope the retreat was a life-changing experience that will set the stage for future success.

Thank you to the following community and campus organizations/departments/staff that made this event possible: 

-Bear Blazer Peer Mentors

-The Arc of the Ozarks

-Abilities First

-Dr. Kathy Nordyke and staff at the MSU Citizenship and Service Learning Department

-Dr. Rebecca Woodard and Zachary Burt of the MSU Kinesiology Department

-MSU Foster Recreation Center

-Tracy Stout at the MSU’s Duane G. Meyer Library

-Angela Strider with MSU Residence Life

-Blair-Shannon Hall and Dining Staff

-Lauren Jones and Kimberly Ireland with the MSU Speech, Language and Hearing Clinic

-The Springfield Cardinals