Day 1
3:45 – 4:30 – Registration
4:45 – Welcome/ Brief Orientation
5:00 – Family Groups
5:15 – Dinner
6:30 – Session 1
8:00 – Family Groups
9:00 – Free Time
Day 2
8:00 – Breakfast
9:00 – Session 2
10:00 – Family Groups/ Journal/Prayer Time
11:00 – Ministry Fair
12:00 – Lunch
1:00 – Session 3
2:15 – Group Activities
2:45 – Free Time
6:00 – Dinner
7:15 – Session 4
8:30 – Family Groups
10:00 – Theme Night (Luau)
Day 3
8:00 – Breakfast
9:00 – Family Groups
10:00 – Session 5
11:45 – Pictures with Family Group
12:00 – Goodbye Freshmen!
The Oaks is open to all incoming freshmen at Auburn University, Southern Union State Community College, and Tuskegee University. We also welcome any students transferring into any of these schools for the following school year.
1.
No, the churches and ministries from the Auburn/Opelika area work together. It is a powerful first picture of the body of Christ at Auburn, Southern Union, and Tuskegee working together to bless and minister to incoming freshmen. The umbrella ministry that supports the Oaks Retreat is All Things Ministries. You can find out more about our partner ministries and churches here.
2.
You are not alone! Many people coming to the Oaks don't know anyone else. There will be different ways of making new friends. You will be assigned a family group with others, you will be rooming with a few others during the retreat, there are meal times, breakout sessions, and tons of fun options during the day or night.
3.
The Oaks Retreat is held at Shocco Springs Baptist Conference Center in Talladega, Alabama (Shocco Springs Conference Center Shocco Springs Rd, Alabama 35160). For reference, Shocco is about 1.5 hours from Auburn, and about 45 minutes from Birmingham.
4.
Each session is 3 days: afternoon and night of the first day, all day on the second day, and until noon on the third.
5.
You can either drive your own car, carpool with others who are attending, or be dropped off and picked up by someone else.
6.
Yes! We can arrange to have someone there to pick you up. If you need to be picked up, email register.theoaks@gmail.com so we can make those arrangements based on when you will be arriving.
7.
The total cost is $150. This covers everything you need at the retreat including lodging and meals. It even covers an Oaks t-shirt! If the cost is an issue, email director.theoaks@gmail.com to discuss our scholarship options.
8.
Meals will be provided by the Oaks staff. If you have special dietary requirements please let us know and we will work with your special needs.
9.
No, beds with sheets and pillows will be provided. But if you just love your pillow or blanket you are free to bring them. You will, however, need to bring your own towel.
10.
-
Casual, comfortable clothes (t-shirts and shorts are recommended – it will be hot!)
-
Clothes for our luau theme night- Hawaiian shirts, leis, grass skirts, etc.
-
Rain jacket just in case!
-
Sweatshirt for night or for our main sessions – it can get chilly in there!
-
Comfortable shoes- tennis shoes, Tevas, chacos, etc.
-
Bible, journal, pen
-
Toiletries, shower items, towel
-
Water Bottle
-
Sunscreen, sunglasses, bug spray
-
Backpack to carry your Bible, journal, water bottle, other belongings in
-
Phone charger
-
Pillow/blanket if you prefer to have your own, but they will be provided in your room at Shocco
-
Eno – not required by any means, but you may want to bring it for free time!
-
Snacks – we will provide your meals and some snacks, but you may want to bring others for free time or if you get hungry at night