The Hastings College Scott Scholars went on a retreat to Norfolk on Aug. 9-10. The goal of the retreat was to bond as a community.

The scholars met with Growing Together Northeast Nebraska, a workforce training program located in downtown Norfolk. The leaders of the Norfolk program took the students white water rafting down the North Fork Whitewater Park River. 

The goal of the white water rafting allowed the students to “relax as we took in all the beautiful nature surrounding us” said Lucy Reid, an Omaha sophomore and Scott Scholar. 

After white water rafting, the group went to O’Neill and learned about entrepreneurship with the owners of Handlebend, a handmade copper mug company. The Scholars stayed the night in Valentine and ended the retreat on Aug. 10 by floating down the Niobrara River.

The trip as a whole allowed them to get to know each other. “Each Scott Scholar cohort is extremely unique, and we wanted to make sure that everyone was comfortable communicating and engaging with one another” said Reid. “We were all heavily enthralled by conversation, only pausing our talks to get snacks out of our cooler.” 

Scott Scholars have noticed a growth in connection between each other, with the majority of students feeling more comfortable with a simple greeting or life update. 

The retreat provided an opportunity for freshmen Scott Scholars to get to know the upperclassmen, as well as giving seasoned members of the group a chance to connect with each other more and create an environment where the students can be vulnerable with each other.