The Department of Geography held a two day retreat/orientation for incoming graduate students at Elbow Lake. Specific topics covered during the retreat included “Preparing Scholarship Applications” and “Roles as Teaching Assistants”. These workshops provided incoming graduate students with information and tools to prepare them for the upcoming year. However, more importantly, this retreat provided a means for students to get to know one another in a beautiful setting, that being Elbow Lake.

The students prepared meals together and took advantage of the recreational opportunities available at Elbow Lake: i.e., an afternoon swim, exploring Elbow Lake by canoe and hiking trail, roasting marshmallows and making smores in the evening around the campfire. A few even gathered early the next morning to watch the sun rise above Elbow Lake! This retreat exceeded expectations and provided the perfect means for students to develop a cohesive cohort. The benefits of our retreat at Elbow Lake will be long lasting, and an event we plan to revisit every fall with our incoming class of graduate students.